A healthy gut is the secret to a thriving baby. Just like the adult gut, the infant’s gut is also full of microbiomes that help to keep it healthy. But the same place is also the home to the bad ones. Knowing what exactly is going on in your baby’s tummy can help to prevent and protect from many health issues in the long run.

Introduction of microbiota

During birth, a kid comes into contact with their mother’s skin, vaginal, and fecal microbiota, which causes them to become early colonizers of the baby’s gut. The composition and growth of the mother’s microbiota are influenced by her diet. Breast milk, the placenta, and mammary glands can all absorb maternal microbiota. In a similar vein, an infant’s immunological development is influenced by microbial metabolites and maternal antibodies. Improving the gut microbiota of mothers and infants can improve their health.

Through the placenta, vaginal delivery, and breast milk, the mother’s gut and skin germs are transferred to the baby’s stomach. Research indicates that infants whose microbiome development is disturbed by early antibiotic use, caesarean delivery, inadequate breastfeeding, or other causes, are probably more susceptible to a range of illnesses, such as type 1 diabetes, obesity, irritable bowel syndrome, asthma, allergies, and respiratory infections. Fortunately, new research indicates that parents can positively influence their baby’s microbial environment with optimal diet, nutrition, and supplements, irrespective of the baby’s delivery method.

What does it tell us?

The gut health test report evaluates the composition of the babies’ gut microbiome at the time of testing, including probiotics, pathogen abundance, and potentially dangerous and beneficial bacterial species. With the use of the test, parents, physicians, and other healthcare professionals may be able to better understand the factors that determine an infant’s gut health, meet their nutritional needs, and help plan their baby’s diet. The test tells us about:

• The relative quantity of pathogens, good and bad bacteria, and other microbial species in your baby’s digestive system.
• It evaluates gut health, lifestyle, and potential health risks.
• Individualized dietary and lifestyle recommendations for infants and their nursing moms, including a list of foods to eat or stay away from.
• It is advised that babies take probiotics and prebiotics to support a healthy gut and a diversified microbial community.