The most recent issue of Smithsonian had an article of role of normal microbes in human health.  While it did mention that c-Sections interferred with establishment of normal gut flora compared to vaginal deliveries, there was NO mention of the role of breastfeeding.  I sent the following letter to the editor:
 
"I was glad to see reference to C-Sections being a factor in infants not developing their normal gut microbes.  However, it was disappointing to see no mention of the critical role of infant diet in establishing the critical normal gut flora in newborns.  As a living fluid which includes living cells, human milk creates the environment that allows for this colinization of the "good microbes".  No matter how much science tries to replicate human milk, it is still a "dead" substance based on non-human milk.  As one example, in many cultures, eye infections are successfully treated by mom expressing a few drops of her milk in the baby's eyes.  Even one feeding of something other than mother's milk can interrupt the establishment of the normal, ideal gut flora.  This can be not only artificial baby milk (formula) but other foods introduced in the early months. 
All too often doctors and others in the scientific field are reluctant to discuss this critical information for fear of "making mothers feel guilty if they don't nurse".  What happened to informed choice?  Rather than worry about how parents might react, the emphasis should be on providing the necessary information and support to help moms breastfeed and in those few cases where this is not possible, availability of donor human milk should be the norm.
Winnie Mading-retired Lactation Consultant with over 50 years of experience in the field."

Winnie

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