Does your child keep coming home from school with coughs, colds and tummy bugs? Children under the age of 6 will get on average 6-8 colds per year plus episodes of diarrhoea and ear infections!

One of the best kept secrets in preventing illness can be found in the gut, or the microbiome to be precise. So by supporting your Childs immune system from within will strengthen their defences against the bugs going around at schools.

70 – 80% of a Childs immune system is located in or near the gut. The gut is home to bacteria known as microbes, some of these bacteria are harmful causing infections and others are healthy and help immunity, improve digestion among other benefits. When these bacteria are balanced your system is better prepared to fight off infections.

So how can you help support your Childs immune system?

1. Provide your child with a healthy varied diet. Including fresh fruit and vegetables, grains, proteins and healthy fats.
2. We know that vitamins are important to our health. For a child Vitamin C is important for your child’s general health and immune system. It can also help their body absorb iron. Vitamin A is needed for a healthy immune system, can help their vision in dim light, and keeps skin healthy. Vitamin D is essential for bone health. The Department of Health and Social Care only recommends vitamin supplements containing vitamins A, C and D.
3. Exercise – exercise will help diversify your Childs microbes – so make sure they get 60 minutes of play time a day.
4. Support your child with a specially formulated children’s probiotic which assists in balancing the bacteria, boosting the immune system and staving off infections! We now know understanding that certain strains of these friendly bacteria are more beneficial these include Bifidobacterium infantis which helps maintain a healthy digestive tract and Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus which is naturally found in your gut and relieves symptoms of IBS, diarrhoea and aids gut health.

From the moment you child enters the world, the gut microbiome begins to develop, the early years of life are a critical time to grow trillions of bacteria to support their immune system. As parents you play an important role in laying the foundations for a lifetime of good health!

If you have a child who you suspect may be suffering from digestive health issues, allergies or intolerance please contact me for help! I have worked with many parents to improve their children’s quality of life!