Fuelling little bodies with good nutrition and a balanced gut sets the stage for stronger immunity, better moods, and brighter futures! With this mind, our Dietitians have put together practical tips to support children’s gut health in early childhood. Let’s give children the best start to a healthy future.
Importance of good gut health in early childhood
Gut health in early childhood is critical because it lays the foundation for a child's overall health and development. The gut microbiome, which is the community of bacteria and other microorganisms living in the intestines, plays a vital role in digestion, immune function, brain development, and even mental health. Here are some key reasons why gut health is particularly important in early childhood:
Good Gut Health for a strong Immune System
A healthy gut microbiome helps train the immune system to differentiate between harmful pathogens and harmless substances.
Digestive health
Proper gut function ensures that nutrients from food are efficiently absorbed, which is essential for a child's growth and development. A healthy gut supports the breakdown of food, allowing the body to gain energy, vitamins, and minerals.
Brain development
A balanced microbiome in early childhood is linked to better brain development, improved cognitive function, and emotional regulation. Early gut imbalances have been associated with an increased risk of developmental delays, anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues later in life.
Development of healthy eating habits
A healthy gut microbiome comes from a diet with a range of foods. By introducing different foods earlier in life, this will support the child's ability to enjoy a variety of foods, particularly those that are beneficial for long-term health like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. It may encourage healthier dietary patterns that last throughout life.
Long-term health outcomes
Imbalances in the gut microbiome early in life have been linked to chronic conditions that can persist into adulthood, including asthma, obesity, inflammatory bowel diseases, and even conditions like cardiovascular disease. A strong, balanced microbiome in early childhood may reduce the risk of these conditions later in life.
Is it true that a poor balance of bacteria in the gut during early childhood can increase risk of gut-related allergies like asthma and eczema?
Yes, it is true that an imbalance in gut bacteria during early childhood can increase the risk of developing gut-related allergies, such as asthma and eczema. Research suggests that the gut microbiome plays a crucial role in shaping the immune system, particularly in its early stages of development.
A healthy balance of beneficial bacteria helps train the immune system to recognize and respond appropriately to harmless substances. However, if the gut microbiome is disrupted—due to factors like poor diet, lack of breastfeeding, or early antibiotic use—the immune system may become more prone to overreacting to allergens, which can trigger allergic conditions like asthma and eczema.
Gut Health for children 5 years and under
Nutrition and gut health for children 5 years old and under are the keys to unlocking strong immunity, healthy growth, and a happy, thriving future. So, how can we support good gut health?
For babies, Breastfeeding provides beneficial bacteria and prebiotics (nourishing substances for gut bacteria) that help establish a healthy microbiome in infants. As children begin eating solid foods, the variety and quality of their diet influence their microbiome. Introducing a diverse range of foods, especially high-fibre foods, can help promote a robust and diverse microbiome.
Supporting children’s gut health within Childcare centres
As gut health is critical in early childhood, how can childcare providers support children’s gut health? The menu within your childcare centre plays a major role to promote healthy tummies. By making healthy choices, children’s gut health can be well supported in childcare centres.
When creating your childcare menu, remember to:
Offering a variety of high fibre foods through the day. Think different coloured vegetables and fruits, whole grain bread, pasta, crackers etc. Stuck for ideas? Reach out to us for help.
Ensure water is readily available and encourage throughout the day.
Limit processed foods that high salt, sugar and fats. These should not be on a menu.
Encourage movement and activity through the day.
If unsure, how to build a gut health friendly menu for your childcare centre, we are here to help. We will ensure you are meeting the guidelines which also incorporate fruits and vegetables and the right amounts from each food group, including grains. We can review your seasonal menus, and we have a Dietetically approved menus available to purchase.
Practical guide to supporting children’s gut health
High-fibre diet for gut health
Encourage the consumption of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains to feed beneficial gut bacteria.
Limit antibiotics
Antibiotics can disrupt the balance of gut bacteria, so they should only be used when absolutely necessary.
Sugars, salt and saturated fats
Limit processed foods that are high in sugars, salt and saturated fats. This ensures that the gut is not overwhelmed by harmful bacteria by promoting a balanced microbiome.
Probiotics
These can be beneficial, especially after illness or antibiotic use, to restore a healthy gut microbiome.
For babies, Breastfeeding and then introduce solids gradually for a healthy gut
Breast milk contains around 200 prebiotics which passes onto the baby and child. It provides optimal nutrition and beneficial bacteria for the infant's microbiome. Where possible, breastfeeding is a brilliant route. When to comes to introducing solid foods to babies, do it gradually. Start with diverse, nutrient-rich foods after six months to support gut diversity.
Does my child need to see a Dietitian for gut health issues?
Seeing a Dietitian for gut health issues in children is important when there are signs or symptoms that suggest a digestive or nutritional problem.
So, when could children see a Dietitian? When there are…
Frequent digestive complaints such as chronic diarrhoea, constipation, bloating, gas or abdominal pain
Signs of food sensitives and allergies including eczema, asthma or allergic symptoms
Poor growth or nutritional deficiencies especially when children are not gaining weight at the expected rate or if their gut health is impacting on nutrient absorption
Behavioural issues linked to gut health which may cause irritation and fatigue or food refusal
Antibiotic use or other medication uses which may lead to the disruption of gut microbiome
Early introduction of solid goods as it may be challenging if a child struggles to tolerate certain foods
Complex gut conditions including Crohn’s disease, irritable bowel syndrome, reflux or inflammatory bowel disease
A Dietitian will help a child with gut issues by making an
Assessment of current diet and gut health
A Dietitian can evaluate a child’s current diet, identify potential nutritional gaps, and recommend adjustments to improve gut health.
Personalised meal planning
For children with specific food sensitivities, allergies, or digestive issues, a Dietitian can help create a balanced, age-appropriate diet plan.
Education on gut-friendly foods
Teaching parents about prebiotics, probiotics, fibre-rich foods, and gut-supporting nutrients can help manage or prevent gut health issues.
To make an appointment, go to our Clinic
Other health professionals who can help with children’s gut health
For optimal gut health care from other health professionals, reach out to:
Doctors such as a
Gastroenterologist who specialises in the digestive system or, a
Paediatrician who specialises in children’s health and well-being or, a
Allergist who specialises in allergies and the immune system
Psychologist who may address stress, anxiety or emotional factors which impact on food behaviours and in turn, gut health
Occupational Therapist who may assist with children who have feeding difficulties
Pharmacist who can provide over the counter remedies and educate the impacts on gut health
Speech Pathologist who may help with swallowing difficulties and other related issues which may impact on food digestion and developmental delays.
More Dietitian Tips for Parents to support children’s gut health
Focus on a high-fibre diet as fibre supports digestion by promoting regular bowel movements, feeding beneficial gut bacteria, and helping to maintain a healthy gut microbiome.
Incorporate probiotic-rich foods like yoghurt, kefir, sauerkraut, kimchi, and miso. Prebiotic-rich foods include garlic, onions, leeks, asparagus, bananas, and whole grains.
Stay hydrated as water is crucial for healthy digestion and nutrient absorption. It also helps prevent constipation.
Limit processed foods that high salt, sugar and fats as it can disrupt the gut microbiome and contribute to inflammation.
Add anti-inflammatory foods to help soothe the gut such as ginger, turmeric and fish oil.
Stress and the gut communicate with each other through the gut-brain axis, chronic stress can exacerbate gut issues such as IBS, heartburn, or bloating.
Gut Health is everything for your child’s healthy future
Good nutrition plays a vital role in promoting a healthy gut microbiome and is important to start at an earlier age. In turn, it provides beneficial outcomes such as building a stronger immune system, developing healthy food habits, reducing the risk of allergies and sensitivities, promoting healthy bowel movements and supporting brain development.
Healthy gut comes from eating a range of foods from all the food groups such as wholegrain foods, vegetables and fruit, and limiting processed foods that are high saturated fats, salt and sugars.
If you have any questions or need support, please reach out to an OSCAR Care Group Dietitian Accredited Practising Dietitian. Our team of Dietitians are here to support families raise happy tummies.
For more information about menus with childcare centres, click here.