Today’s Solutions: January 05, 2025

Babies delivered via Cesarean section often have different gut microbes than those delivered vaginally, but new research using mom-to-infant microbial transplants has been successful in boosting gut health and long-term health outcomes of C-section babies.

Although it might sound a little off-putting, babies who were fed tiny amounts of their mothers’ fecal material in clinical trials developed thriving gut bacteria similar to those delivered vaginally. The babies were given a very small amount in a controlled setting and showed no negative health implications from the procedure. 

Babies born vaginally are covered in their mother’s microbes when they pass through the birth canal, but C-section babies do not experience this, leading to the differing levels of bacteria that colonize the guts of these newborns. 

We’ve talked a lot about the importance of a healthy microbiome and research shows that Cesarean-born children have a higher likelihood of developing microbiome-related diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and celiac disease.

In the trial, doctors collected stool and blood samples from 17 mothers who were due to undergo elective C-sections. Soon after birth, the newborns were given a few million cells of the live fecal bacteria in their first milk feed. When comparing samples of treated newborns to vaginally delivered babies, their gut microbes were remarkably similar. 

Although the results show promising potential, the researchers were clear that the trial took place in a highly controlled setting, and attempting to replicate the results outside of a carefully regulated medical setting could result in dangerous health outcomes. 

Many determinants of our lifelong health begin in early life and even in the womb. With more trials, this discovery could be key to giving more newborns a strong gut right off the bat. If you’re an adult looking to boost your microbiome, check out this article for some tips!

Solutions News Source Print this article
More of Today's Solutions

Why you need to place a bowl of salt by your window this winter

BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM When winter arrives, it's not just the snowy roads that make life difficult; your windows could be home ...

Read More

7 vegetables to grow in August for a successful fall harvest

BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM If you've been savoring the fruits (or vegetables) of your spring and early summer gardening, you understand the ...

Read More

Shield your drinking water from microplastics via boiling

BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM On February 28, scientists released a revolutionary study in Environmental Science and Technology Letters that investigated the effectiveness ...

Read More

Simone Biles’ mental health victory: 5 practices we can all learn

BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM Simone Biles, one of the best and most beloved gymnasts of all time, once again demonstrated her unrivaled ...

Read More