C-Sections & Your Baby’s Immune System
It is believed that when a baby is born via c-section her immune system may be compromised somewhat.
While I think this may be somewhat true I don’t think it is of huge concern, but there are theories on the topic and they make sense. Here is what’s being said:
Before your baby is born her digestive tract is sterile. Depending on how she’s delivered, her immediate surroundings and what she’s fed, different types of cultures begin to appear shortly after birth. These cultures help the development and training of her immune system.
Some experts also believe that being born via C-section changes the cultures within the digestive tracts of infants. This may be because babies born vaginally are exposed to cultures from their moms through the birth process whereas babies born by C-section are not.
This is one theory, but here’s also another
An article on WebMD by Jennifer Warner suggests that a child born by c-section may be an important factor influencing immune system development. In other words, the stress and process of labor itself is a good thing for a baby’s immune system. The exposure to specific microbes through the birth canal in vaginal rather than C-section delivery may influence neonatal immune responses.
I think more extensive studies may need to be done, but that’s not the first time I’ve heard that.
In either case you can help promote your baby’s healthy immune system by breastfeeding. Breastfed babies are known to develop beneficial cultures in their digestive tracts and it’s one of the major reasons experts believe breastfed babies are generally so healthy.
C-section moms sometimes have a harder time breastfeeding due to their milk sometimes comes in slower; however the key here is to be persistent, don’t get discouraged and get help if you need it.
