25. Infant Gut Health and C-Section Recovery with Cheryl Sew Hoy of Tiny Health
I used to think gut health was something you worried about after a bad meal or too many antibiotics. Turns out, gut health starts at birth and can affect them their entire life! Their gut microbes in the first 1,000 days of life can lay the foundation for everything—immunity, digestion, even emotional regulation—and they’re influenced by choices we make as parents from day one.
In this episode, I sit down with my friend Cheryl Sew Hoy, founder and CEO of Tiny Health, to unpack how the gut microbiome influences not just our babies but our entire family. We dive into what happens to a baby’s gut at birth, how breastfeeding and first foods set the foundation for lifelong immunity, and why dads’ microbes matter more than most of us realize. Cheryl also shares her personal C-section story, the science behind vaginal seeding, and how she built the first gut health test designed specifically for infants, parents, and longevity.
This conversation blew my mind and shifted how I think about my role as a dad—not just as a protector or provider, but as a carrier of microbes that literally shape my child’s future.
In this episode, we explore:
How does gut health affect immunity, mood, and resilience for kids and parents?
What happens to infants born by C-section, and how can families restore balance?
Can dads really influence their child’s microbiome and immune system?
How do breastfeeding, first foods, and probiotics shape a healthy gut?
How can families build lifelong health through regular microbiome testing?
How exactly does the Tiny Health system work, and why is it so effective?
Resources Mentioned in This Episode
Get $20 off your first gut health test with code DADICATED → https://www.tinyhealth.com/
Watch the Full Episode
Cheryl Sew Hoy is a mom of three, serial entrepreneur, and the founder & CEO of Tiny Health. She holds multiple Engineering degrees from Cornell University. Cheryl founded Tiny Health in 2020 after her first child struggled with eczema, sleep troubles, and food sensitivities. Her experience led her to research the gut microbiome and develop tests focusing on a baby's first 1,000 days, a crucial period in microbiome development.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cherylyeoh/
Joe Carr is an entrepreneur, advocate, and passionate educator on fatherhood and partnership. Driven by a desire to provide high-quality, nutrient-dense baby food for his daughter Della, Joe and his wife founded Serenity Kids baby food brand after experiencing their own health transformations through clean eating. Now, alongside his work in revolutionizing baby nutrition, Joe is on a mission to help new dads navigate the transformational journey of fatherhood. Through his podcast and social media platform Dadicated Joe, he shares real, honest conversations about showing up for your children, supporting your partner, and embracing the identity shift that comes with becoming a dad.
👉 Get 15% off your first Serenity Kids order with code: DADICATED15 https://myserenitykids.com/
