Boost Your C-Section Kid’s Immunity With These Anti-Sakitin Tips

There are some situations when, for the safety of both mom and baby, a delivery by cesarean section is needed. Afterwards, moms who undergo cesarean section delivery need extra care – recovery might take longer, and she may need more supportive medication. In the same way, C-section kids need extra care and attention so they develop well and grow up strong and healthy. Read on to learn more about why kids born through c-section may need extra protection compared to children delivered normally.

Caring for Yourself as a C-Section Mom

As a new mother, it is also important for you to take the time to recover. The healthier you are, the sooner you may recover, and the better you can care for your little one.

Here are some important tips things to remember when it comes to cesarean section recovery¹:

• Rest. Your body needs rest to recover completely from your procedure; after all, a cesarean section is a major surgery. Using a heating pad as well as supporting your stomach can help alleviate pain and improve recovery. Getting some rest can also be challenging, so don’t hesitate to ask for help from your loved ones and support system. 
• Follow your doctor’s advice for wound care. Your doctor will advise you on how to care for your c-section wound. This includes how to manage pain, checking for signs of infection, and other symptoms that may arise during cesarean section recovery.
• Don’t forget about postpartum checkups. After giving birth, you still need to visit your doctor every so often so that they can keep tabs on you and your child’s health. Your doctor can keep tabs on you and your child’s health and can also check if your wound is healing properly. As your child grows, it will remain essential to bring them for check-ups.

Breastfeeding is essential to boost your child’s developing immune system. This is especially important because c-section kids tend to have weaker immunity compared to children delivered normally, making them more susceptible to respiratory infections, fever, and other common illnesses. 

When it comes to nutrition, moms must consider what can help boost their child’s immunity.

Why Do C-Section Kids Need an Extra Immunity Boost?

Cesarean section-born kids tend to have more vulnerable immune systems compared to those who experienced a normal vaginal birth. 

All children are born with good and bad bacteria in their gut microbiome. A strong immune system is determined³ by a healthy gut microbiome with many various types of good bacteria⁴. 

When children are delivered normally, they receive various strains of good bacteria from the mom’s birth canal. In contrast, kids born through c-section are not exposed to these type of bacteria. This means they have less variety of the good type of bacteria needed to boost their immunity. This imbalance is scientifically termed as dysbiosis. This is why cesarean section births have been associated with a weakened immune system⁵ and could fall sick more often. 

As per studies conducted, immune system concerns⁶ associated with cesarean section births include:

1. Weaker immunity that persists for years, up to five years old
2. 1.15 times higher risk of respiratory infections⁸
3. 1.3 times higher risk of asthma⁷

As a c-section mom, it is important to take the necessary steps to help strengthen your child’s immune system. Breastmilk for your child is the best way to do so. 

Building Immunity Through Nutrients in Milk

If you are a C-section mom, there’s no need to worry as there are steps you can take to strengthen your child’s immune system. First is to try and exclusively breastfeed your child. Breastmilk is the best milk for your child⁹ because it provides the highest level of HMOs, probiotics, nucleotides, which are essential immune nutrients to help boost the immunity of C-section kids. Over time, the composition of breastmilk also adapts to support the needs of your child. This is why doctors recommend that mothers exclusively breastfeed for at least the first six months of life.

Key immunity boosting components found in breastmilk include:

HMOs

HMOs, or human milk oligosaccharides, are the third most abundant components found in breast milk that play an important role in nutrition, especially immunity. HMOs act as prebiotics (food for good bacteria) that help encourage the growth of beneficial bacteria enabling C-section kids to have a diverse range of good bacteria in their gut. These components also aid in improving gut health, protect against infection, and are among the most effective nutrients when it comes to boosting immunity¹⁰.

BB12

Probiotics are good bacteria that support good immune function. This is found in many food sources, including human breastmilk. Of special interest to mothers who opt to use formula milk is Probiotic BB12. 

This strain of probiotic bacteria is found in the gut and in breastmilk. This has been associated with gastrointestinal health and immune function¹¹. Studies have shown Probiotic BB-12 helps reduce bad bacteria and increase good bacteria in the gut microbiome¹², so that kids can have a strong immunity foundation to fight off infections.

Nucleotides

Nucleotides are molecules that form our DNA and RNA¹³. In terms of nutrition, nucleotides play a key role in several important biological processes, including boosting the body’s antibody count¹⁴. Increased antibody production helps the body fight off infection, as well as helps speed up recovery from sickness.

Formula milk for your c-section kid

Mothers who are unable or choose not to breastfeed may support their child’s growth and development with formula milk. However, while formula milk does an adequate job, not all types of formula milk are the same.

For c-section kids, it is important to look for milk that may maximize immune protection. Ideally, their formula milk should contain 5HMOs, probiotic BB12, and nucleotides. These nutrients are important for your child’s health, and should be received from birth and for as long as possible.

Key Takeaways

1. C-section-born children require extra care since their immune systems are not as developed as children born vaginally. This means that they can be more prone to sickness, especially respiratory infections. 
2. If your child gets sick more often than others, it may be a sign that they need more of the nutrients that help boost immunity. 
3. The best way to go about it is to breastfeed your child for as long as possible. 
4. For mothers who are unable to do so, choosing the right formula milk, especially one that contains appropriately high levels of 5HMOs, nucleotides, and probiotic BB12, can help with strengthening your child’s immune system.
5. Of course, mothers also need to take care of themselves during their cesarean section recovery to recover quickly, and take care of their child.

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