interesting article about gut flora

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Permalink Reply by Catherine Walker on February 22, 2012 at 21:41

Very interesting ! Cían has had very few episodes of constipation since we started using the Biocare , although Cian didn't have antibiotcs till recently I had them in pregnancy and then the fact I gave up breast feeding early on too, we only had constipation issues when we started on formula. 
I gave saved it in my reading list to read again!! Xx

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Permalink Reply by Beverley on February 22, 2012 at 22:14

I think it rings true for me. My first child was breastfed for a year and never had a moment's problem with anything gut related. I've never been able to understand mums of children outside of the reflux world talking about things like constipation as if they're normal. I really believe that all the antibiotics and root canal treatment I had changed my gut flora and caused Douglas' problems at least to some extent. I went through all this with Charlotte from Milk Matters though and ultimately it's just depressing and I have to deal with the situation we're in. For whatever reason Douglas was allergic to breast milk and is now allergic to food and although probiotics have helped him they can't fix him. I sometimes do wish I hadn't berne so obsessed with him as to forget to look after myself though. My gut has not been good recently and I was all set to start exploring the food allergy thing having been constantly told that Douglas' condition is genetic, then I got myself some probiotics and I'm much better too. I doubt that could have changed our outcome entirely though. I think there needs to be more overlap between the holistic breastfeeding people and te Shah's off this world as I doubt thy either side has completely got a handle on these kind of issues.

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Permalink Reply by Ginny S on February 22, 2012 at 23:18

Beverley - I just read your post. I think my daughter got this because I breast fed her on anti biotics as well. She was absolutely fine for the first week of her life and then I had three haemorrages and a D and C thing and they put me on masses of anti biotics for three weeks but said it was fine to feed on it. She started screaming the moment I started taking the anti biotics. Though I don't know what i could do about it as she is over four now!!! Also I did do all the biocare pro biotics for six months or so with her and they did not make a blind bit of difference. I am interested that so many of these babies have been exposed to antibiotics. did you know that you have antibiotics with a c section? Mine were born naturally so I didn't but I wonder if all these doctors have considered this link? The gut is immature when you are born and doesn't develop for three months or something like that ........ what do you think?

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Permalink Reply by Verity on February 23, 2012 at 7:37

I've said it before. This rings true for us, I had between 6-8 lots of antibiotics often for 2 week courses due to recurrent urine and kidney infections. Also has IV antibiotics during labour due to having group b strep. When Finley was born they treated him with two lots of IV antibiotics every 12 hours for 5 days due to suspected sepsis. It makes me think that there may be something connected.

I know a lot of people say about genetics which in a way could be true as I get eczema some times and am allergic to penicillin, my partner has hardener and is sensitive to cleaning products and deodorants!

I'd love to know what causes all this but it wouldn't make a difference anyway but would just maybe help if we had another.

I may be allergic to some foods, but I don't eat a wide range of foods. I also wonder I that could have impacted on how sensitive Finley is.

X

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Permalink Reply by Jenny B on February 23, 2012 at 7:51

My son got a hundred times worse after antibiotics, it was a very clear difference from before the antibiotics and after. His constipation also got better once probiotics were given! 

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Permalink Reply by Laura Perks on February 23, 2012 at 15:32

I think the same. Both my girls were csections, Lottie suffered mild(ish) reflux, now Florence is having stomach issues. I absolutely believe there is a link, I think the gut needs an extra 3 mths to develop, and in that period any antibiotics ingested will be detrimental. 

Oh to have my time again ....

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Permalink Reply by laura taylor on February 23, 2012 at 22:08

It is very interesting - I am always amazed at how perfect natures plan is for our babies and how easily the perfect balance designed for us can be upset.  I had a anti-biotics during pregnancy for a chest infection and during my c-section.  Harry had oral thrush at 4 days old (which I blamed myself for for kissing him too much) - but I now think the anti-biotics were to blame.  Sadly, often these things cannot be avoided and we do them in the interests of our babies.  We've not been on probiotics for a few weeks but am going to put him back on them now.  He was better on them and hopefully in combination with being on nutramigen this could help him even more once his gut has a chance to heal.  I'd be interested to know if anyone has tried the slipperly elm bark powder. 

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