Feb 01 2008
Babies And Friendly Bacteria
Within a few days of birth your baby’s digestive tract will be colonised by bacteria. How your baby was born - vaginal or by caesarean section - will influence the type of bacteria that your baby will carry.
It has been shown that the beneficial/friendly bacteria bifidobacteria infantis were found in about 60% of 4 - 6 day old full term infants who were born vaginally. Only 9% of babies born by caesarean section had B. infantis. It is uncertain how, but babies pick up the friendly bacteria from their mothers during the passage through a clean, healthy birth canal. It has also been demonstrated that bacterial or yeast infections in the vaginal tract can have serious effects on an unborn child including triggering premature birth and low birth weight infants.