You might have heard that antibodies are passed from mother to baby during pregnancy through the bloodstream and placenta. But did you know that a mother’s microbiome might also shape a baby’s immune system, protecting it from harmful pathogens and infections? In fact, your microbiome could have an impact on the chances of your baby developing asthma, allergies and other diseases later in life.
Your microbiome is a collection of trillions of bacteria and other microorganisms, both good and bad, located in your gut. It is significantly influenced by the food that you eat. When you eat foods rich in fibre like fruit, vegetables, and whole grains, they feed the good bacteria and help them to flourish. These good bacteria produce compounds called short-chain fatty acids (SCFA), which are known to have many beneficial effects on health.
Recent research suggests that these short-chain fatty acids can be passed on to a developing fetus through the placenta and can influence a baby’s immune system. What you eat may protect your baby from developing allergies and asthma in early childhood. Some studies even indicate that this protection may have long lasting effects on your child’s health, providing your child with protection from diseases later in life.
Pregnant women who are overweight or with obesity are more likely to have imbalances in their gut microbes, which can also be passed on to a developing baby during pregnancy. Research indicates this can lead to infants having a greater risk of being overweight in early childhood and having significant health problems later in life.
The use of antibiotics during pregnancy might also disrupt your microbiome and influence the development your baby’s own microbiome. Although more research is needed, there is some evidence to suggest that the disruption of an infant’s microbiome from maternal and early childhood antibiotic use could be linked to neurodevelopmental disorders, such as autism.
Giving baby the best start
Pregnancy can be both a magical and confusing time. But maintaining a healthy microbiome need not be overly complicated. Here are 3 things you can do which will benefit your health and give your baby the best start in life:
- Maintain a healthy pregnancy weight.
- Add fibre to your diet by including a variety of vegetables, fruits, nuts, and whole grains.
- Avoid unnecessary use of antibiotics.
Find out more about Roehampton’s MSc Clinical Nutrition programme here.