In this episode of Behind the Latch, Margaret Salty interviews Laurel Wilson, an internationally recognized speaker, author, and perinatal specialist, about the critical role of the microbiome, epigenome, and human milk in shaping infant health. They explore how breastfeeding influences the baby's gut microbiome, the long-term effects of infant feeding choices, new research about maternal health and infant gut development, and what lactation professionals need to know about emerging science in this field.

Laurel’s Journey into the Perinatal Field

Laurel shares her three-decade journey:

• Inspired by her own challenging birth and breastfeeding experiences
• Early work as a doula, childbirth educator, and lactation educator
• Executive Director of Lactation Programs for CAPPA
• Now focused on translating research into education for lactation professionals

Understanding the Epigenome and Microbiome

Laurel explains:

• The epigenome controls gene expression based on environmental signals
• The microbiome—bacteria, fungi, viruses, and archaea—communicates with the epigenome
• Breastfeeding plays a key role in shaping the infant's lifelong microbiome and gene expression

How Breastfeeding Establishes the Infant Microbiome

Human milk provides:

• Beneficial microbes critical for gut, immune, and brain development
• Human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) that nourish good bacteria
• Long-term health benefits, including allergy protection and improved metabolic health
• Unique endocrine functions, with microbes even influencing hormone signaling

Challenges with Infant Formula and the Microbiome

Laurel and Margaret discuss:

• Powdered infant formula can introduce pathogenic bacteria into the gut
• Even sterile liquid formula lacks critical human-specific microbes and HMOs
• Once pathogenic bacteria colonize, the gut's development path is altered
• Efforts to add HMOs to formula are limited compared to the complexity of human milk

Emerging Research on Microbiome and Long-Term Health

Laurel highlights:

• Research linking early feeding to risks of allergies, diabetes, and metabolic diseases
• Child Cohort studies investigating long-term effects of breastfeeding and formula feeding
• The role of birth mode (vaginal vs. cesarean) in microbiome development
• New interventions like oral fecal transplants for C-section born infants

The Maternal Microbiome Matters, Too

Important insights:

• Maternal gut health may influence the infant’s microbiome and allergy risk
• Probiotic supplements alone are not a guaranteed solution
• Focus on overall gut healing, diverse diet, and minimizing processed foods
• Diet during the third trimester has a significant influence on milk composition

Addressing Fear and Supporting All Feeding Choices

Laurel emphasizes:

• While diet matters, any amount of human milk provides vital health benefits
• Fear-mongering around diet and milk quality can discourage breastfeeding
• Families deserve honest, empowering education—not guilt or fear

What’s Next in Microbiome Research

Laurel shares emerging findings:

• The importance of B. infantis, a critical bacteria largely lost in modern populations
• Antibiotics, C-sections, and modern hygiene practices have reduced its presence
• Researchers at UC Davis and beyond are studying ways to restore it

Advice for Aspiring IBCLCs

Laurel offers valuable tips:

• Network with practicing IBCLCs and join study groups
• Read and discuss research articles to build critical thinking
• Stay curious and be a deep listener when supporting families

Guest Info:

Laurel Wilson, IBCLC, RLC, BSc, CLE, CLD, CCCE, is an internationally acclaimed speaker, lactation consultant, and expert on the microbiome, epigenome, and hormonal expression in perinatal health. Learn more at motherjourney.com or follow her on social media @motherjourneylaurelwilson.

Resources Mentioned in This Episode:

📌 Child Cohort Studies – Longitudinal studies of infant development and microbiome

📌 Research by Musavi et al. and Megan Azad on infant feeding and gut health

📌 UC Davis Research on B. infantis and infant gut microbiome

📌 WHO Code of Marketing of Breast Milk Substitutes

Connect with Me:

Questions, feedback, or ideas for future episodes? Reach out!

📧 Email: [email protected]

📸 Instagram: @margaretsalty

📘 Facebook: Margaret Salty’s IBCLC Community

Credits:

🎙 Hosted by: Margaret Salty

🎧 Guest: Laurel Wilson

🎵 Music by: The Magnifiers, My Time Traveling Machine

Hashtags & Keywords:

#BehindTheLatch #MicrobiomeAndBreastfeeding #InfantGutHealth #BreastfeedingResearch #LactationEducation #MaternalHealth #HumanMilkScience #BInfantis

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