Hi there- THis is something I spend a great deal of time thinking about. I believe we can pass down our imbalnace gut health directly and indirectly but there are many other factors. I believe I got this weakness from my dad who is an alcoholic and in porr health and comes froma long line of poverty, alcoholism, mental illness and ill health. So I do think I have passed on some weaknesses to my kids. HOWEVER and this is what gives me such great hope- my kids will never be on unnecessary antibiotics- my girl will never take the pill(at least under my watch), I have selectively vaccinated and- I try my darndest in this culture to provide healthy natural food and water. Children are so resilient. Even when they get a cut on the knee- they heal like Spiderman si I believe these weaknesses are there and real but they can be balanced. I also think there is the whole part of our kids that is their father. IN my case- that is a really good thing because he is strong and healthy. So yes- on my bad days I worry but on my hopeful days I know that health is not just something you "get" There are things you can do to tip the balance in your favor.
 
Also- thoughtout our lives our bodies are more or less in balnce so I am seeing more issues with my little daughter than either of my older  boys. I feel I was in better balance when i was pregnant with them.

i think about this quite often.  when sophia had an ear infection on thanksgiving weekend, she had to be on antibiotics, so i gave her probiotics.  i wouldn't have known what antibiotics do to our good bacteria.  i know there are many parents giving kids antibiotics and not knowing what it's doing to their kids....i could of been one of many.  i believe i'm a bit traumatized by my ic, whenever sophia says ouchy, right away i'm hoping she's not pointing to her vagina. i ask her where and when she points to any other parts, i'm relieved even though she may have a cut or a bruise.  my friends tell me i can not prevent anything from sophia, it's impossible.  they tell me i worry or stress so much and that's not good for my health.  
i may not prevent any illnesses, but i sure can reduce her risk.

If there is indeed a genetic factor in play with IC, it is probably possible to pass it down to the children.  However, here again, something seems to have to trigger that gene off.  I had IC when I was pregnant with both my children (both boys).  They are adults now and do NOT have IC.  They do have bowel problems and some other health issues.  I worry about my 5 granddaughers getting IC.  Hopefully they will not get it, but it is a worry.  Not much anyone can do about it though. 

Some patients actually take their kids out to see Matia, and they receive primary type care from her.
Junie--I had chronic ear problems as a kid--so bad I ended up having insane surgeries.  My mom tried to take me off of sugar and to see a naturopath etc. but it was just too late at that point.  Note: she did have IC while being pregnant with me...so maybe there's a connection.
 That said--I got a TERRIBLE ear infection during treatment, and Matia gave me an herbal combo that took care of the pain in TWENTY MINUTES.  My goodness, if I had only had this as a kid.  The rest drained within a day or too.  Highly recommend going to her for this sort of thing.  Those antibiotics for the ear confuse me, because aren't ear infections are viral?

I think some ear infections are bacterial and probably some are viral.  My brother used to get really bad ear infections when he was a kid.  I think conventional doctors are just trained to give drugs, which is why I like alternative minded MD's.  That way if alll else fails and you do need something a little stronger, the doctor can prescribe antibiotics when necessary.  My brother's ear infections were chronic, and he just never seemed to get rid of them. 

I have seriously considered bringing my daughter to see Dr B next year if her growth doesn't pick up although i am lucky to have found a really good holistic ped here in PA so I think we'll be ok. I agre about the ear infections. Junie- I have used some homeopathic and herbal things with my daughter- if youwant to know more about it- let me know! But that is great that you gave her probiotics.
I always worry about my kids but I try to remind myself that they have their own path to take and I can only do so much. Guilt as a mom is so hard to avoid.

Deir - where are you located in PA?  I also live in PA