Gut bacteria affect the maturation of children’s immune system, as well as the body’s ability to absorb nutrients, and metabolism, and beneficial gut bacteria also inhibit pathogens, and the growth of gut bacteria in some children may be disrupted if they are born by caesarean section, or antibiotics are used in Early pregnancy, limited breastfeeding, or other factors.
Children in this condition may be more susceptible to a range of diseases later in life, such as asthma, allergies, respiratory infections, type 1 diabetes and obesity. TheHealthSite Here are some smart ways you can improve your baby’s gut health.
Ways to improve the health of the gut in children to avoid weak immunity
Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding helps the development and maturation of gut bacteria and improves immune function A large study found that babies who are breastfed from birth have a more stable gut bacteria composition and are less prone to disease It is recommended that your baby is exclusively breastfed for the first six months, then the mother continues In partial feeding during the introduction of solid foods.
Add more foods rich in fiber
Pregnant women should follow a nutrient-rich diet with adequate amounts of high-fiber foods such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts and seeds Good gut bacteria are found in a variety of foods such as onions, garlic, beets, sweet corn, cabbage, legumes, melon, grapefruit, pomegranate, dried dates, dried figs, and barley Wheat bran, oats, cashews and pistachios, foods rich in probiotics like yogurt are very beneficial to include in your pregnancy diet.
Do not start giving your baby solid foods too soon
While introducing solid foods to your baby, it is important that you do not start solid foods too early because your baby’s intestines are still maturing; However, we also know that delaying eating solid foods, especially foods containing allergens, can actually increase your risk of developing allergies.
Current infant feeding guidelines recommend that solid foods should be eaten when your baby is ready at around 6 months of age, but no earlier than 4 months of age. Fresh, home-cooked food should be preferred to over-packed foods for introducing solids to babies.
Add more vegetables and whole grains
Feeding your child a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts and legumes ensures that the good bacteria contain plenty of nourishment. Eating yogurt helps build healthy gut bacteria and protects against various digestive disorders.
Avoid antibiotics
Avoid unnecessary antibiotics, always take antibiotics under the supervision of a doctor because the use of over-the-counter antibiotics is very common in our country which destroys the normal gut microbiome.
Several studies have shown that owning a pet may actually help increase the diversity of gut bacteria and have been linked to a lower risk of childhood allergies and obesity.
It’s important to invest in your child’s gut health in his early years because it affects his overall health.