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ARTICLE
Gut Health Heroes for Kids
If you have been following me for a while, you know how important gut health is to me. I have been teaching about it since the beginning of my real bread journey in 1992, long before gut health, probiotics and fermented foods were trendy.
Young moms often share with me that their newborn or toddler seem to have constipation issues, especially when they begin to transition to solid foods. Also, some little ones often struggle with residual health concerns from complicated deliveries or necessary lifesaving interventions at birth that may have disrupted their natural gut microbiome.
Well, this week, through a newsletter I read an article entitled “Gut Health Heroes for Kids”. The article is so good, and says most everything I would want to say on the subject, I decided I would simply share it with you it today.
The article is also very timely, for several reasons. But one, is that I recently discovered a probiotic supplement designed specifically for newborns and toddlers. The first few months of life are important for establishing a strong immune system and good gut health. These pre and probiotics by Begin Health, that we now carry at Bread Beckers, just might be a great foundation for your child’s current, as well as their future health.
I will share a little more about the products and put the links to them at the end of the article. But first I want to give you the article.
The article is by Kristen Beach, a Family Nurse Practitioner with Real Health Medical in Stockbridge GA. Kristen began her journey in the Neo Natal ICU where she developed a deep passion for caring for the most vulnerable and empowering their families with education and support.
“Gut Health Heroes for Kids” by Kristen Beach
“A Foundation for Lifelong Health”
“As parents, we all want the best for our children—especially when it comes to their health. More and more awareness has come to parents that the root of many chronic health issues begins in the gut. From immunity to mood, metabolism to skin, your child’s gut plays a far more significant role in overall wellness than we once thought.”
“Why Gut Health Matters”
“The gut microbiome is a complex ecosystem of trillions of microorganisms living in our digestive tract. We have more microbes in our guts than we have cells in our bodies!! These microbes do more than just digest food—they influence everything from brain function, immune strength and even our very DNA expression! In fact, we now know that 70–80% of the immune system resides in the gut!”
- Learning Issues – gut
- Allergies – gut
- Asthma – gut
- Skin Conditions –gut
“We all have experienced digestive symptoms like gas, bloating, constipation, and diarrhea at some point in our lifetimes…but…”
“Research also shows that imbalances in the gut can contribute to more than just digestive issues. Gut imbalances can also impact:”
- Weight struggles and metabolic issues
- Blood sugar dysregulation and diabetes
- Poor detoxification
- Mood disorders (anxiety & depression, brain fog)
- Hormonal imbalances and sleep issues
- Skin problems like acne and eczema
“Gut Health Begins Early”
“The foundation of gut health begins in the womb and continues developing through birth and infancy. Key early-life factors like vaginal birth vs. C-section and breastfeeding vs. formula feeding can influence the microbiome’s development.”
“The first 1,000 days of life are especially critical. These early experiences shape a child's gut flora—and, by extension, their lifelong health.”
“Four main types of microbes reside in your child’s gut:”
- Parasitic
- Bacterial
- Fungal
- Yeast
“When any one of these types of microbes gets out of balance (dysbiosis) the bad (opportunistic) microbes that lead to more serious issues become overgrown and outnumber the good (commensal) beneficial microbes…we then have an infection state that can cause systemic inflammatory conditions and many unwanted health issues that may or may not seem connected to the gut directly.”
Before I continue quoting the article, I, Sue, want to stress that this information is in no way meant to guilt trip anyone, especially those moms who were unable, for whatever reason, to have a vaginal delivery. Or perhaps your little one came into this world through circumstances totally outside of your control. I hope, instead, you will be encouraged that there is a way to get that critical gut microbiome established.
I will continue with the article now as Kristen explains:
“1. Microbial Seeding During Vaginal Delivery”
- During a vaginal birth, babies are exposed to the mother’s vaginal and intestinal flora. This initial exposure "seeds" the baby’s gut with beneficial microbes like Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium.
- These beneficial bacteria help jumpstart the development of a healthy gut microbiome, which supports digestion, nutrient absorption, and immune system maturation.
“2. Immune System Programming”
“The gut microbiome trained during vaginal birth helps prime the infant’s immune system, reducing the risk of:”
- Allergies
- Asthma
- Autoimmune disorders
- Inflammatory conditions later in life
“3. Improved Digestive and Metabolic Health”
“Babies born vaginally generally have a more diverse microbiome, which is associated with:”
- Lower risk of obesity
- Better blood sugar regulation
- More efficient digestion and absorption of nutrients
“4. Reduced Risk of Infections and Chronic Conditions”
“Because their microbiome is more robust, vaginally born infants tend to have fewer infections early in life and may be less prone to chronic issues like:”
- Eczema
- Food sensitivities
- Irritable bowel conditions
“Babies born via C-section are often colonized first by skin-associated and environmental bacteria (from the hospital), which can delay healthy gut flora development. This can lead to:
- Lower microbial diversity
- Increased risk for inflammatory and metabolic disorders
- Greater susceptibility to infections and allergies
However, not all is lost! Interventions like breastfeeding and skin-to-skin contact, can help support gut development after a C-section.”
“The Gut-Brain Connection”
“Your child’s brain and gut are in constant communication via the gut-brain axis. This network of nerves, hormones, and microbes plays a powerful role in regulating:
- Mood and emotional resilience
- Cognitive development and focus
- Conditions like autism spectrum disorders, PANS, and PANDAS
The gut and brain are in constant communication through nerves (especially the vagus nerve), hormones, and chemical messengers like neurotransmitters. Surprisingly, the gut is often referred to as the “second brain” because it produces many of the same neurotransmitters that the brain does.”
“For example:
- Serotonin – about 90% is made in the gut; it regulates mood, sleep, and focus
- GABA – helps calm the nervous system
- Dopamine – impacts motivation, attention, and learning
When the gut microbiome is healthy and diverse, it supports balanced brain chemistry. When it's out of balance (due to poor diet, stress, or illness), it can contribute to mental and emotional challenges.”
“How Gut Health Impacts Learning and Emotional Well-Being”
1. Mood Regulation
- A healthy gut supports the production of neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine.
- Imbalanced gut bacteria are linked to anxiety, irritability, and depression—even in children.
2. Focus and Attention
- Dysbiosis (microbial imbalance) may contribute to ADHD-like symptoms such as poor concentration and impulsivity.
- Inflammation in the gut can lead to neuroinflammation, which affects attention span and executive function.
3. Behavioral and Developmental Disorders
- Children with conditions like autism spectrum disorders (ASD) often show signs of gut dysfunction (e.g., constipation, diarrhea, food sensitivities).
- Research has found links between gut microbiota imbalances and PANS/PANDAS, which can cause sudden shifts in mood, OCD-like behaviors, and tics.
4. Stress Response
- A disrupted gut can lead to an overactive stress response (more cortisol), affecting emotional regulation, resilience, and even sleep quality.
- Stress itself can damage gut integrity, creating a cycle of gut-brain imbalance.
5. Cognitive Development and Memory
- Good bacteria help reduce inflammation and increase levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), which is essential for learning and memory.
- Gut inflammation and poor nutrient absorption can impair cognitive development, especially in critical early years.
“Top Kids’ Gut Health Strategies”
Unfortunately, modern lifestyles can disrupt our digestive system. Common threats include:
- Sleep disturbances
- Sedentary lifestyle habits
- Lack of sun exposure or vitamin D
- Processed and sugary diets
- Overuse of antibiotics
- Limited time outdoors
- Poor food quality / GMOs
“The good news? Most of these contributing lifestyle factors are within your control as parents!”
Kristen Beach, FNP
Helping families build healthy futures—one gut at a time.
I will stop quoting the article here as Kristen goes on to give great strategies you can take both for yourself and your child and these strategies line up exactly with my steps to healthy living.
#1 Eat real Food – Eating real foods, especially real bread, can feed your good gut microbiome. Fresh fruits and vegetables and, of course, real whole grains, such as bread made from freshly milled flour, are key to a healthy gut. The fiber found is these foods are known as prebiotics and nourish and encourage the growth of our good gut organisms.
#2 In this step of eating real food you also want to focus on diversity as much as possible, especially with kids. Kristen calls it Eating the Rainbow – different colored foods provide different beneficial nutrients as well as different types of fiber and beneficial organisms.
#3 Is to focus on good live probiotic foods. These foods supply us with a healthy cross section of good gut organisms that work together to create a healthy gut environment. These foods include fermented foods such as yogurt and kefir with live cultures, fresh fruits and vegetables fermented, if possible, like sauerkraut and kimchi.
It is important to consume these foods daily at every meal if possible. But these foods are often not as kid friendly or adult friendly for that matter. This is where a good probiotic supplement might be very helpful. Especially if your child had a more difficult birth, cannot breastfeed or has had to be on anti-biotics.
There should be no guilt at all associated with these often necessary and lifesaving situations. But now that you know how they might affect your child’s microbiome and related health concerns, it is important to know that all is not lost. In fact, gut restoration is completely possible and beneficial.
Years ago, when I used to speak regularly at homeschool conventions there was a specialist that spoke on learning, behavior and sleep issues in children. I cannot remember her name now but her information intrigued me. The first thing she recommended for the child was a good probiotic. Often times this was all that was needed to get the good gut microbiome in balance and, in turn, the brain chemistry along with increased serotonin and dopamine levels and of course digestive health. All of which can lead to a healthier, happier child.
I talk to more and more moms of toddlers these days who say their child is struggling with constipation. And the traditional recommendation is simply to medicate with stool softeners and often harsh laxatives.
I say – why not correct the issue by getting the gut microbiome healthy again.
I am so glad I found the Begin Health line of probiotics for infants and toddlers.
The Begin Baby Prebiotic and Probiotic product is for full term babies 0- 1 year old and the Growing Up Prebiotics is for toddlers 1-3 years old. The Begin Baby contains live probiotic strains of the good gut organisms as well as human oligosaccharides (HMOs) that support the growth of these organisms especially, Bifidobacterium infantis.
Growing Up Prebiotics is a prebiotic supplement only, containing the supportive HMOs as well as chicory root, which is high in the prebiotic fiber inulin.
Both products are sold in individual servings and are easily mixed in with formula or breast milk or water. While the Begin Baby is of course heat sensitive, the Growing up Prebiotics is not and can easily be added to hot or cold beverages or food, even added to juice to make popsicles! And since many of you may have more than one toddler in the house, we offer it in a family size jar as well. And don’t think only toddlers need these prebiotics! A scoop can be a great addition to you smoothie.
You can find the Bread Beckers product links below. Or simply search for Begin Health at www.BreadBeckers.com.
For older children and adults – we still recommend our Light Years Ahead Prebiotic Probiotic Super Food. Link included as well.
Please know that we care about your health and the health of your children. But nothing we teach or share should be taken as medical advice. Probiotics are typically safe to use with no drug interactions. But as a precaution if your child is on a medication, you may feel more comfortable checking with your doctor.
I hope that you have learned something from the information presented today. And as always, have hope that all is not lost. You do not have to start everything all at once – maybe focus on the small things or maybe I should say the small guys – your good gut organisms.
Health can be restored – for we are truly “fearfully and wonderfully made.”
If you want to learn more, be sure to tune in to Sue’s Healthy Minutes Podcast on July 21, 2025, episode 179, when my guest will be the owner and founder of Begin Health, Madline Lauf. We will talk all things gut health for you and your child. You don’t want to miss it.
https://www.breadbeckers.com/store/pc/Begin-Baby-Prebiotics-and-Probiotics-Age-0-12-mos-40p10762.htm
https://www.breadbeckers.com/store/pc/Growing-Up-Prebiotics-28-0-13-oz-Packets-40p10763.htm
https://www.breadbeckers.com/store/pc/Growing-Up-Prebiotics-7-6-oz-Family-Size-Jar-40p10764.htm
https://www.breadbeckers.com/store/pc/LightYearsAhead-Prebiotic-Probiotic-SuperFood-GlutenFree-40p3400.htm
Sincerely Sue Becker
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