Birth exposes babies to maternal gut bacteria that help build early microbiomes
New research suggests that a newborn's gut microbiome is primarily seeded by maternal gut bacteria encountered during vaginal birth rather than vaginal bacteria. This early exposure to fecal microbes is considered a normal and beneficial process for developing a baby's immune system.
Why it matters
Understanding the origins of the infant microbiome is essential for medical science to better support neonatal health and long-term immune development.
by Steven Leach, Andrew Day, The Conversation
edited by Sadie Harley , reviewed by Andrew Zinin
This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:
Add as preferred source Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain The very first thing many babies encounter when they're born is their mother's poop. If they're born vaginally, head down, with the face against their mother's rectum, the pressure can expel fecal material just as they are born. This early exposure is not only normal but likely to be beneficial.
Microbes from their mother acquired during birth, and especially from the mother's poop, help shape a baby's developing gut and immune system, setting the stage for lifelong health.
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