By Rachael Buck, PhD, researcher and immune health expert at Abbott
| JUN. 25, 2018 | 5 MINUTE READ |
Originally published in First Time Parent
It's a simple fact: kids tend to get sick a lot when they're young. In fact, children under age 6 get an average of six to eight colds a year, plus ear infections, bouts of diarrhea and other illnesses. On top of that, some also have allergies, asthma and eczema.
While there's a lot you can do to keep germs from wreaking havoc on your baby's immune system, one of the best-kept secrets in preventing illness and boosting the immune system can be found in the gut – or, more specifically, the gut microbiome.
The microbiome is an enormous collection of approximately 100 trillion microbes, or microscopic organisms that live on and in your body, and most of them are found in the gastrointestinal tract, known simply as "the gut."
Bacteria are a class of microbes that are found in the gut. Some types of bacteria which are harmful can lead to infections and diseases while others are healthy and helpful to boost immunity, improve digestion, and even help cut down on crying time in colicky babies, among other benefits.
When there's a balance between these healthy and harmful bacteria, your baby's immune system is better prepared to fight off what may come.
Your baby is changing and growing by leaps and bounds each day, and his gut is no different.
As your baby starts to reach for toys, the microbes can even differ between his two hands.
The diversity of microbes is also affected by whether your baby is fed breast milk, infant formula, or both, and by the solid foods he eats.
One of the best things you can do to help your child's immune system to develop and keep him healthy now and well into the future is to optimize his gut health. Here are six easy and simple things that can help:
Studies show skin-to-skin contact, or "kangaroo care," especially in the first few days after your baby is born, provides a long list of health benefits, not the least of which is gut health. Skin-to-skin contact from both parents gives your baby many of the microbes he needs.
Breastfeeding is the gold standard in infant nutrition, and it's the number-one way to support your baby's immune system. But why is that true? And, what if you're unable to breastfeed or choose to use formula?
One reason mother's milk is so unique and potent may be human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs), special prebiotics that are abundant in breast milk. HMOs feed the good bacteria in your baby's gut—where 70 percent of the immune system lives—and, research has shown that HMOs help to support baby's immune system and digestive system.
More specifically, 2'-fucosyllactose (2'-FL) is by far the most prevalent HMO identified in most mother's milk; and extensive emerging research on 2'-FL HMO suggests it may provide positive health benefits for the gut microbiome and beyond
For parents who need or choose to use infant formula, there's a way to give your child the immune-nourishing benefits of HMOs. Backed by nearly two decades of HMO research, Abbott's Similac® with 2′-FL HMO brings immune benefits of HMO* to formula-fed babies.**
As your baby starts eating solid food, offer only whole foods and whole food purees—including plenty of fruits, vegetables and grains. In particular, bananas and asparagus are rich in prebiotics, which help probiotics—found in fermented foods like yogurt and kefir—do their jobs.
Playing with a family or neighborhood pet even has its benefits to overall immune health—helping to diversify the species of bacteria in your child's gut. In fact, studies show that safe interaction with pets can change the composition and diversity of the microbes in a child's gut and may even reduce his risk for asthma and eczema.
Encourage your child to play outside and explore the outdoors, which can help him get a dose of healthy bacteria. You don't have to overdo cleanliness, but you should always make sure your child washes his hands after using the bathroom, before meals and when he's sick.
Exercise may also diversify your child's gut microbes, a study in the journal Gut found. Make sure he gets at least 60 minutes of activity each day at the park, the playground or an indoor play space on brisk days.
From the moment a child enters the world, the gut microbiome begins to develop. The first years of life are an especially critical time for growing trillions of bacteria to benefit the immune system. With a few simple steps, parents can play an important role in helping to build a child's immune system – by first building a healthy gut – and laying the foundation for a lifetime of good health.
*not from human milk
**Similac with HMO was introduced in the U.S. in 2016 as the first infant formula with 2’-FL HMO, an immune-nourishing prebiotic that was previously only found at significant levels in breast milk.
Rachael Buck, Ph.D, works on the forefront of infant nutrition. As a discovery scientist in the field of immune health, Rachael studies the components of breast milk to help Abbott nutritionists develop infant formulas that are as close as possible to breast milk.
How to Safely Prepare Powder Baby Formula
Key Takeaways:
• Parents and caregivers have so much to juggle with a new baby. Whether learning for the first time or refreshing your knowledge, knowing how to safely prepare powder baby formula is essential.
• A January 2024 article in Consumer Reports raised concerns about the accuracy of automated baby formula makers in delivering the correct formula-to-water ratios.
• When preparing baby formula manually, follow the label instructions on the container to ensure proper handling and preparation each time. With the right preparation, you can help ensure a nutritionally complete bottle for your baby.
One of the most exciting parts of caring for your baby is watching them grow and reach new milestones right before your eyes. They'll develop an appetite for and interest in solid foods during their first year of life. Your job, during this exciting journey together, is not only to guide their nutrition but also to decode their unique language of cues — a symphony of expressions, gestures and coos in reaction to these new sensations.
Similac is the first formula brand with both two fluid ounces of HMO for immune support and our unique blend of DHA and Lutein for brain and eye development.
NUTRITION IS THE FOUNDATION FOR LIVING YOUR BEST LIFE. THAT’S WHY WE WORK HARD TO ADVANCE AND SHARE THE LATEST SCIENCE AND CREATE BETTER WAYS TO NOURISH YOUR BODY AT EVERY STAGE OF LIFE.
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