The book
First 1000 Days
How Your Baby's Gut Microbes Shape Lifelong Health. A guide for parents and parents-to-be on the science of the infant gut microbiome.
“A wonderfully accessible and wide-ranging guide to helping babies eat right.”
Kirkus Reviews
The first 1,000 days, from pregnancy to about a child's second birthday, are when a baby's gut microbiome is seeded and takes shape. In First 1000 Days, gastroenterologist Savita Srivastava explains what science has learned about that process, and what parents can do to support it, without guilt or perfectionism.
Kirkus Reviews describes a guide that follows the journey from before birth through childbirth, breastfeeding and the first months of solid food, with each chapter grounded in research cited at the back of the book, and written in clear, simple language with bullet points, charts and illustrations.
You can also ask any bookstore or library to order it by ISBN 978-1-966346-32-6.
Inside the book
Two parts: the why, then the how
Understanding the Crisis: the Science Behind the Strategy
The gut microbiome, how it develops in early life, and its links with immunity, metabolism and the brain, along with the lifestyle-medicine view of prevention.
Practical Guidance and a Roadmap for Your Child's Future Health
Seeding, feeding, growing and diversifying the microbiome: birth, breastfeeding and formula, whole foods and a Mediterranean-style pattern, ultra-processed foods, and when antibiotics and probiotics come in. The book organizes this guidance into what it calls the 6C Method.
A note for parents
The book is general education. Decisions about your pregnancy, birth, feeding, antibiotics or supplements for your baby belong with your obstetric and pediatric care team. Dr. Srivastava is an adult gastroenterologist and does not provide pediatric care through this website.
Listen
Conversations about the book
- PodcastThe Art of Motherhood (podcast)The First 1,000 Days: How Gut Health Shapes Your Child's Health Sep 18, 2026
- FeatureCrozet GazetteFirst 1000 Days: A Healthy Start for Your Baby Sep 4, 2026
- PodcastMontessori Babies (podcast)What's Going On In Baby's Gut? with Dr. Savita Srivastava Jul 30, 2026
- InterviewAuthority MagazineGut Health: What gut health is, why it's so important and how to optimize it Jul 2, 2026
Events
Bring the book to your group
Parent groups, clinics, libraries and wellness events can ask about talks and book events.