I am forwarding this for Rosemary who is nomail at present.
Jean Ridler
[log in to unmask]

In my present Ante Natal class, one of the fathers-to-be is a doctor
(specialising in Urology) who asked me about the Lactobacillus story. He
wondered how the Lactobacillus came to be in the baby's gut. If breast milk
is sterile, as is the baby's gut at birth, how can the bacillus get there?
Where does it come from? With the first breastfeed the baby's gut becomes
colonised with the mother's enviromental bacteria but the Lactobacillus is
specific to milk, is it not?

My understanding is that the Bifidus Factor is present in human milk and it
is this that encourages the growth of the Lactobacillus Bifidus, but his way
of thinking was that bacteria could not be found in a sterile environment
(breast milk). I have looked up as many sources as I can find on the
mechanism of the Bifidus Factor, but so far have not found a good enough
answer for the doctor. It is probably a basic understanding but I would like
to be able to give him an accurate answer.

Thank you for your help.
Rosemary Gauld  RN  RM  IBCLC
Cape Town.


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