The Unexpected Way That Women Shape Generational Health

I’m admittedly (and unapologetically) late in posting about Women’s History Month—because, well, I have tiny humans to raise and a practice to run. But here’s the thing: history isn’t just about looking back. It’s also about moving forward, shaping the future, and deciding what legacies we leave behind. And so regardless of where in March we are, I’d still like to take a moment to reflect. 

And because I eat, sleep, and breathe gut health these days, of course I’m going to take any opportunity I can to tie these pieces in with women leaving a legacy. 

Because one of the most overlooked yet powerful legacies we pass down? Our microbiomes.

The microbiome plays a foundational role in lifelong health, beginning from the moment of birth. A baby’s first exposures to microbes—through the birth canal, skin-to-skin contact, and breastmilk—help to establish the gut microbiome, which in turn trains the immune system, supports digestion, and influences metabolic and neurological development. 

The balance of beneficial bacteria, like Bifidobacteria, is especially critical in early life, helping to crowd out harmful pathogens and regulate immune responses while also preparing for introduction of solid foods. An imbalanced or poorly developed infant microbiome has been linked to increased risks of allergies, asthma, autoimmune conditions, and metabolic disorders later in life. 

And because the gut is home to nearly 70% of the immune system, a strong, diverse microbiome acts as a first line of defense, teaching the body how to distinguish between harmful invaders and harmless substances. Investing in microbiome health from infancy doesn’t just impact digestion—it shapes resilience, immune function, and overall well-being for a lifetime.

For centuries, women’s wisdom around birth, nourishment, and gut health has been overshadowed by medical, agricultural, and industrial advancements. While many of these advancements have been life-saving, by medicalizing birth, they’ve also dramatically shifted the types of microbes we pass along to our babies—sometimes for the worse.

One of the most significant gifts a mother gives at birth and through breastfeeding isn’t just love, warmth, or nutrition—it’s the transfer of microbes. Critical strains of bacteria, fungi, and other microbes pass through the infant’s gastrointestinal tract, some of them colonizing, some of them simply donating helpful molecules or stimulating the immune system as they move along their journey. And the makeup of this microbial blend has shifted over the past century, contributing to the increases in gastrointestinal issues, allergies, and other immune system issues in babies. 

Not all microbial hand-offs are the same.

• Birth location matters. Babies born outside of hospital settings are less likely to have higher exposures to pathogenic microbes at birth and in the first few critical days. Sometimes we don’t always have a choice of WHERE we birth, and as moms, we have to believe that we are doing our best regardless of the circumstances. 
• Birth method matters. Babies born after numerous mechanical interventions during labor, and/or born via C-section are more likely to have more exposures to pathogens at birth. C-section babies also typically miss out on being “seeded” by beneficial microbes while coming through the birth canal, which they would consume and use to start colonizing their own guts. Sometimes we don’t always have a choice of HOW we birth, and as moms, we have to believe that we are doing our best regardless of the circumstances.
• Feeding method matters. Babies’ guts are designed to consume breastmilk, which is specifically designed to not only deliver baby the nutrition needed to grow, but also to set up a proper infant microbiome. Formula, while nutritionally complete, simply doesn’t have the same gut-modulating properties as breastmilk, though the formula companies are trying really hard to close some of these gaps. 
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  Breastmilk contains both probiotics (beneficial bacteria) and prebiotics (specialized carbohydrates that feed those bacteria), as well as digestive enzymes to break down other components of the milk and immune system components to strengthen baby’s immune tolerance and protect against pathogens. Collectively, these components help to populate and nourish a baby’s gut with beneficial bacteria while training the immune system to destroy pathogenic bacteria, and ultimately steering baby toward a healthy, resilient microbiome in adulthood. Sometimes we don’t always have a choice around WHAT we feed our babies, and as moms, we have to believe that we are doing our best regardless of the circumstances. (Though if you are having trouble breastfeeding, I highly encourage you to enlist the support of an IBCLC – they can often work magic.)

As moms, our legacy isn’t just cultural, familial, traditional…it’s biological, too. By nurturing our children’s microbiomes, we shape the foundation of their lifelong well-being. And that of future generations, as well. 

As a practitioner specializing in mom and infant gut health, I work with mothers who want to optimize their own gut health, sustain breastfeeding longer, ensure their babies get the best start possible, and prepare for future babies. If that sounds like you, just hit reply and tell me what’s going on—I’d love to support you!