• Question: Is it true babies are born with no bacteria in there body?

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      Asked by Lucy to Daniela ?, ☣ Danna, Jonny, Juan, Lindsay on 10 Jun 2016.
      • Photo: Danna Gifford

        Danna Gifford answered on 10 Jun 2016:

        Answer: babies probably do have bacteria already inside them when they are born.

        People thought for a long time that babies were born sterile—that is, they had no bacteria in their bodies except those they got from the mother as they were passing through the birthing canal. But recently, scientists have found bacteria in newborn babies’ “first poop” (meconium), which they had inside them while still in the mother’s womb.

      • Photo: Jonathan Hunter

        Jonathan Hunter answered on 10 Jun 2016:

        I don’t know. I would guess that there is a small number of bacteria as the womb is pretty well defended (so the developing foetus doesn’t get sick). But I honestly don’t know.

      • Photo: Lindsay Robinson

        Lindsay Robinson answered on 11 Jun 2016:

        I don’t know the answer to this, so I’m going to agree with Danna because she seems to know what she’s talking about!

      • Photo: Juan Ortiz

        Juan Ortiz answered on 12 Jun 2016:

        I have to recognise that I have learnt something new today! I thought babies were born without bacteria and they acquire them from their mothers, but Danna seems to have a more up-to-date information about this.

      • Photo: Daniela Lobo

        Daniela Lobo answered on 16 Jun 2016:

        So the conclusion seems to be,
        ? have bacteria in their first ?.

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