The first 1000 days of life — from conception to around age two — are now recognised as one of the most critical windows for shaping long-term health. And at the heart of that conversation? The infant microbiome.
Today’s guest, Dawn Whitten, is a naturopath, herbalist, and International Board Certified Lactation Consultant with over 20 years of clinical experience in perinatal and early life health. She’s a leading educator, researcher, and clinician dedicated to helping both parents and practitioners understand the microbiome, breastfeeding, and maternal wellbeing on a much deeper level.
Whether you’re navigating this season of life yourself, supporting others through it, or simply curious about the foundations of health, this conversation is packed with science-backed insights and practical takeaways.
In this episode, we chat about:
- Why the first 1000 days are so foundational for lifelong health
- How early microbiome disturbance can influence long-term outcomes
- How the infant microbiome is seeded and shaped at birth
- Impacts of vaginal birth vs. C-section on microbiome development
- The practice of vaginal swabbing for C-section babies
- Key stages of microbiome development in infancy
- Differences between infant and adult microbiomes
- The breastmilk microbiome — what it is and why it matters
- Breastfeeding vs. formula feeding and the effects on microbiome diversity
- Surprising factors that can disrupt an infant’s microbiome
- How to support recovery post-antibiotic use and prevent ongoing gut disruption
- What to consider before giving probiotics or prebiotics to babies
- Dawn’s #1 piece of advice for supporting a healthy infant microbiome
Recommended Resources
Australian Breastfeeding Association
Rachel’s (she/her) details: Ready To Take Your Next Step To Support Your Gut?
Follow Rachel on Instagram HERE
Watch the FREE Masterclass 'How To Overcome Bloating and IBS Naturally & Eat Your Favourite Foods Without Fear' HERE
Check out the range of FREE gut health resources HERE
Work with Rachel HERE
Connect With Dawn (she/her)
Visit The Microbiome Restoration Centre website
Connect with Dawn on Instagram
Disclaimer: The information provided on Gutsy Talks is for education and informational purposes only. It is not provided nor intended to substitute for professional advice or care. Please seek the advice of a qualified health care professional in the event you have questions or concerns about your health.
Popular Podcasts
Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang
Ding dong! Join your culture consultants, Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang, on an unforgettable journey into the beating heart of CULTURE. Alongside sizzling special guests, they GET INTO the hottest pop-culture moments of the day and the formative cultural experiences that turned them into Culturistas. Produced by the Big Money Players Network and iHeartRadio.
Crime Junkie
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.
The Brothers Ortiz
The Brothers Ortiz is the story of two brothers–both successful, but in very different ways. Gabe Ortiz becomes a third-highest ranking officer in all of Texas while his younger brother Larry climbs the ranks in Puro Tango Blast, a notorious Texas Prison gang. Gabe doesn’t know all the details of his brother’s nefarious dealings, and he’s made a point not to ask, to protect their relationship. But when Larry is murdered during a home invasion in a rented beach house, Gabe has no choice but to look into what happened that night. To solve Larry’s murder, Gabe, and the whole Ortiz family, must ask each other tough questions.