Vaginal Seeding…AGAIN?

Infants born by vaginal birth are exposed to maternal vaginal bacteria, which are one of the contributing influences on the subsequent development of the infant’s microbiome. This process is altered by cesarean delivery, which changes the initial microbiome of the neonate. It is theorized that infants born by cesarean delivery have an increased risk of chronic inflammatory conditions due to altered early-life microbiome colonization, with associated aberrant immune and metabolic development. Vaginal seeding is the practice of inoculating an infant born by cesarean section with a sampling of fluid, with the use of a guaze, from the vagina of the mother over the child’s face, mouth, and nares. This is performed to introduce the neonate to the mother’s vaginal flora for presumed better health outcomes. Although cautionary statements have been published about this practice, it remains very popular. In Feb 2025, a “viewpoint” was published in JAMA Pediatrics which has brough vaginal seeding back into the limelight. Does this work? What are the official statements about this from the ACOG and AAP? Is there a way to do this “safely”? We will cover this new publication, review the official professional society’s statements….and more, in this episode.