Your Baby's Microbiome: The Critical Role of Vaginal Birth and Breastfeeding for Lifelong Health

Synopsis

From the Directors of the Award-Winning Documentary Microbirth At least two amazing events happen during childbirth. There’s the obvious main event, which is the emergence of a new human into the world. But there’s another event taking place simultaneously, a crucial event that is not visible to the naked eye, an event that could determine the lifelong health of the baby. This is the seeding of the baby’s microbiome, the community of “good” bacteria that we carry with us throughout our lives. The seeding of the microbiome, along with breastfeeding and skin-to-skin contact, kick-starts the baby’s immune system and helps protect the infant from disease across a lifetime. Researchers are discovering, however, that interventions such as the use of synthetic oxytocin, antibiotics, C-sections, and formula feeding interfere with, or bypass completely, the microbial transfer from mother to baby. These bacteria are vital for human health, and science has linked an imbalance in the human microbiome with multiple chronic diseases. Drawing on the extensive research they carried out for their documentary film Microbirth, authors Toni Harman and Alex Wakeford reveal a fascinating new view of birth and how microscopic happenings can have lifelong consequences, for ourselves, our children—and our species as a whole.

Copyright:

2017

Book Details

Book Quality:

Publisher Quality

ISBN-13:

9781603586962

Related ISBNs:

9781603586955, 9781603586962

Publisher:

Chelsea Green Publishing

Date of Addition:

04/15/17

Copyrighted By:

Alex Wakeford, Toni Harman

Adult content:

No

Language:

English

Has Image Descriptions:

No

Categories:

Nonfiction, Science, Health, Mind and Body, Parenting and Family, Medicine

Submitted By:

Bookshare Staff

Usage Restrictions:

This is a copyrighted book.