Babies born by cesarean section (c-section) are not exposed to as many beneficial bacteria as those who are born vaginally. Evivo (save $$ with this link) is a probiotic that is clinically proven to increase the good bacteria in your baby’s gut after a c-section. Read more below to learn why Deema loves Evivo probiotic as a c-section mama. 
The topic of cesarean section (c-section) is near and dear to my heart. When I learned that I would be having an urgent c-section with my third pregnancy, I felt grief for a number of reasons. I knew that my baby would be going to the NICU and would need all of the healthy bacteria and immunity that he could get from me. However, babies who are born via c-section do not come into contact with beneficial gut bacteria in the same way that they would if the baby was born vaginally.
According to the World Health Organization, worldwide, 1 out 5 babies are born via cesarean section. This number is projected to rise. One out three women experience a c-section in the United States. There were 1.17 million c-sections in the US alone in the year 2021. This means that over a million babies went without necessary protective and beneficial gut bacteria putting them at risk for colic, gas, diabetes, sleep disturbances, and excessive diaper rashes.
As a perinatal therapist and a mother of three, I can tell you that all of the aforementioned neonatal symptoms can absolutely contribute to parental distress. We as parents, have a need to protect our children from the moment they are conceived and want what’s best for them. Not having the opportunity to be exposed to beneficial bacteria during the birthing process due to factors outside of the delivering parents’ control is distressing.
Evivo probiotic (save $$ with this link) has created a solution for replicating this phenomenon of necessary and beneficial gut bacteria that is missing for babies born via c-section, in the form of a probiotic.
A strain of B.infantis called ECV001, which is only found in Evivo probiotic, utilizes human milk by capturing human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs). This unique strain then consumes HMOs to colonize in the gut, which in turn helps protect your baby from potential pathogens. After the strain consumes the HMOs, it converts the HMOs into metabolites. Metabolites are key signaling molecules that help support healthy immune system function.
How do I use Evivo?
The instructions are super straightforward and listed here.
Empty one satchel of Evivo probiotic into a bottle or small bowl. There is no need to heat up Evivo (it should be stored in the freezer or refrigerator), so if you are warming your milk, you’ll add Evivo after the bottle is warmed. If your baby is fed directly at the breast, you can offer Evivo in a syringe or spoon. You can even offer directly from your finger or on your nipple, just make sure to thoroughly wash your hands prior.
Evivo probiotic (save $$ with this link) can also be used with thawed/previously frozen expressed breastmilk/human milk and still reap all the benefits!
What if my baby is in the Neonatal ICU (NICU)?
Did you know that Evivo probiotic has a ready to use single serve liquid made specifically for NICU and labor and delivery use? This liquid helps to stabilize the neonatal gut against hospital acquired pathogens.
Unfortunately, even intensive care units have the potential for pathogen exposure, especially in neonates who are born prematurely. This is why it is so important to be able to offer multiple modalities of preventive care treatment such as Evivo’s MCT oil. I work in a Level III NICU myself and have seen first hand how important it is to protect and stabilize the infant gut. If the NICU that your baby is at does not offer Evivo probiotic, I encourage you to ask about it! Providers love learning from their patient population as well!
What if I’m formula feeding or combo-feeding?
You can still use Evivo probiotic! Evivo is still safe to use with formula, however, Evivo probiotic (save $$ with this link) works best for babies fed human milk/breastmilk or combination formula and breastmilk fed babies. This is due to the way the strain of bacteria (B.infantis ECV001) converts with human milk.
My nine month old is combo fed breastmilk and formula by bottle. I prepare my formula according to the manufacturer’s instructions and then add two ounces of breastmilk that I have mixed with Evivo into one bottle all together. I then feed that to my baby every morning. It’s comforting knowing that I am giving him the healthy and beneficial bacteria that he was not exposed to during the birthing process through using Evivo probiotic.
Read more about why we love Evivo for combo-feeding here.
You can shop for Evivo probiotic here!
Other blog posts you will love:
- Why We Love Evivo Probiotic for Combo Feeding
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- Correctly bottle feeding your baby and why it’s important
- High lipase breastmilk and how it relates to bottle refusal
- How to supplement with formula
- Everything you need to know about acid reflux
- Transitioning from formula to milk
- Everything you need to know about formula
This post is sponsored by Evivo but is my true and professional opinion. Links may be commissionable.
