Gut health has been a hot topic for some time now, and for good reason. The link between our gut health and our overall physical and mental health and wellbeing is strong and complex, and only now starting to be understood. Here's a bit of what we know so far...

PRObiotics

Probiotics are the 'good' bacteria that live in your digestive tract, and form part of your 'gut microbiome'. Your 'gut microbiome' is the term used to describe all the different micro-organisms (living things) that live in your digestive tract: different bacteria, viruses, yeasts, etc.

A healthy gut microbiome (with lots of 'good' bacteria, and fewer 'bad' bacteria) is important for overall health and wellbeing. It can help your immune system to function at its best, support good digestive health and reduce symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), and prevent a number of chronic diseases. 

Eating probiotic foods can help to support a healthy gut microbiome, which can have many health benefits for both children and adults. In children, consuming probiotics has also been shown to reduce a child's risk of developing eczema, as well as other conditions.

Should I take a PRObiotic supplement?

PRObiotic supplements may be helpful in some cases, for example: if you or your child is high risk for developing eczema, has symptoms of IBS, or has recently taken a course of antibiotics.

However, if your child is not experiencing any of these concerns there is no reason to suggest a probiotic supplement is necessary, and because supplements add new bacteria into your gut microbiome, they can sometimes lead to new digestive symptoms such as bloating and wind, etc.

Instead, we recommend consuming probiotic food regularly. These can have health benefits and are more cost-effective than most supplements. See below for a list of foods that contain probiotics.

If you think your child may benefit from taking probiotics, speak to your Maternal Child Health Nurse, Dieititan or GP, as they can help direct you to the best one for your child's specific concerns (different probiotics contain different strains of bacteria, so choosing the right one will help make it more effective).

Foods that contain PRObiotics

There are many. Here are some of the top ones:

• Yoghurt
• Kefir
• Miso
• Tempeh
• Saurkraut
• Kimchi
• Green peas
• Naturally fermented pickles

Why are we capitalizing the 'PRO' in PRObiotics?

Because there is also a similar but different term - PREbiotics - which we'd like to talk about. And capitalising the start of each word felt like a good way to differentiate them. We're not shouting, we promise.

PREbiotics

Prebiotics are foods which feed the good bacteria that already live in your digestive tract, therefore encouraging them to thrive, and also supporting a healthy microbiome.

High fibre foods such as fruits, vegetables, legumes and wholegrain products are great prebiotic foods.

It is possible to buy PREbiotic supplements. However, if you / your child is eating a good quantity of high-fibre foods each day, this usually isn't necessary.

So, what should I actually DO to support my little one's gut health?

You've learned all the theory, so what should you DO in practice? Here are our recommendations:

1. Offer age-appropriate PREbiotic foods everyday. These don't need to be 
2. Include some PRObiotic foods weekly (or more if you like). 
3. Speak to your Maternal Child Health Nurse or GP at your next visit, if you think a PRObiotic supplement would help your child. They can help direct you to the best one for your child.