The Importance Of Gut Health For Children: Ask Our Paediatric Dietician Your Questions About the Benefits of Good Bacteria and a Balanced Diet to Complement your Kid’s Gut Flora. £200 voucher to be won.

[rosiemumsnet]

Are you concerned about your child’s gut health? Wondering how to manage daily diet or lifestyle related symptoms such as occasional discomfort or how to introduce gut-friendly foods into their diet? Heard about the benefits and role of good bacteria, but still need more information? Or perhaps you're dealing with a fussy eater that just won’t eat their veggies? Our expert paediatric dietician, Emma, in collaboration with the Culturelle® team is here to help!

Share your questions about nurturing your child's gut flora and learn about the importance of a healthy, balanced diet from a young age.

• Everyone who shares a questions on the thread below by Friday 30th August 2024 will be entered into a prize draw
• One lucky Mumsnet user will win a £200 voucher for a store of their choice
• Emma and the Culturelle® team will be back on the week of 16th September 2024 to answer some of your questions

About The Expert:

Emma Shafqat, a Paediatric Dietitian, Feeding therapist, and parent, brings over a decade of expertise to the table, backed by a first-class honour’s degree in Dietetics and Nutrition. With a passion ignited by her own journey raising a child with severe reflux and multiple food allergies, Emma specialises in helping families navigate dietary challenges, particularly tackling fussy eating.

Emma is a sought-after international speaker and parenting expert, featured on top podcasts and media outlets like The Telegraph, Healthline, Metro, sharing her insights and empowering parents worldwide.

Her career spans across the NHS, special needs schools, and private practice, where she offers practical solutions and unwavering support to parents facing similar struggles.

Disclaimer: Please do not rely on this Q&A as an alternative to medical advice from your GP or other professional healthcare provider. If you have any specific questions about any medical matters you should also consult your doctor or other professional healthcare provider.

Here’s what the Culturelle® team have to say:

“At Culturelle® we believe that talking about the gut is still a stigmatised health issue around the world, and by opening up new conversations we can help people understand more about their bodies, the science and what we and people can all do to support the core of their health.”

Disclaimer: "The information provided is intended for educational purposes. Culturelle® products are not intended to diagnose, mitigate, treat, cure, or prevent diseases."

@ 2024 dsm-firrmenich. Culturelle® is a trademark of the dsm-firrmenich group.

How can I tell from my child's digestion and poo that they would need gut supporting products ?

If a child has a good balanced diet, (home cooked no processed and greek yoghurt with fruit) but has had antibiotics 3 times in 3 years for ear infections - would they affect the gut bacteria - and if so how long would a reset take ?

I know a variety of plant based products makes a difference to gut health, but do you have any tips for particular fruit or vegetables that are most beneficial?

Artificial sweeteners are really really bad for the gut, yet they are being sneaked into more and more foods.

Can your product help restore gut balance?

If my child is ND and I’m finding it hard to get a reasonable range of food into their diet (despite my genuine best efforts, research & eating well ourselves etc) what is the single thing I can do to improve their gut health?

Do you think there is link between gut health in children and issues such as anxiety?

Are there any known links between gut health anf sudden onset allergies in children please? My granddaughter used to eat everything but now is allergic to lactose, soya, chilli, cinnamon eggs, kiwis and plums.

My DD has a reasonably balanced diet. However she's terribly constipated and her poo is like a tiny rock. Does she need to add anything to her diet, or drink more or ...?

How would you encourage a fussy eater to eat more greens - which are better for health and vitamins, or if they like carrots and sweeter vegetables would that suffice ?

Can poor gut health in a child correlate to poor diet in the mother during and pre pregnancy - and is there any research into this. Should we take pro and prebiotic's before we want to conceive to prevent poor gut health in babies and children.
Thank you

I take a daily apple cider vinegar with mother for my gut health each morning with water - is this safe to give to add to a children's diet or dressings ? If so how should I give it so it reaches the gut in the best condition to work ?

Do you think baby food is something to be avoided - you can cook and puree quality fruit and vegetables in small quantities when weaning, after the baby rice stage, any tips for doing this and cutting out tinned and dried baby food - AND do you think doing this will prevent picky eating and intolerances later on in development ?

What to you think of offering raw vegetables (bell peppers, carrots, mange toute) to toddlers as opposed to cooked - which it better for digestion - is there any real difference ?

Are there a few simple tips that we can use to maintain gut health. Realistically, my kids are fussy eaters and will always eat some foods that aren’t ideal but some tips that can help maintain a balance would be great.

Gut friendly bacteria give my children diarrhoea. Is there something more palatable on the stomach?

What is a good snack to give toddlers for gut health?

I have IBS, our 13yr old Son seems to have similar pain and bowel issues after eating but not always. How would we work out which food it is when he has been ill after a food but then not at other times after it?

If children have a balanced diet, 5 a day, healthy snacks, milk and water - why would they need to add to their 'good' bacteria - shouldn't the human body be able to regulate it's good bacteria natrually - AND if a parent gives products with good bacteria - do you have to give these long term - what happens if you stop these products ?

My 9 hear old has struggled with bowel issues for her whole life (now finally about to see a gastroenterologist). I would like to give her a good pre/pro biotic, but so far she has refused them all, saying they make her tummy hurt. I think it might be more a sensory issue as she says that within 10min of taking them. We tried capsules, tablets and powder. Is there maybe a gummy bear or liquid you would recommend? Thanks

Do you have any foods that you would recommend are eaten daily by children or anyone really who wishes to maintain a good gut biome?

Does a vegetarian diet make any difference to recommendations?

Is it better to give children probiotics by tablet or by food?

Would you recommend specific foods after antibiotics to help children’s guts recover more quickly?

What do you recommend for a child with sensory issues and a limited diet who is very anxious about anything new or different?

My child takes a daily probiotic gummie with a multi vitamin following illness.I try and provide a varied diet and avoid ultra processed foods but he is v picky. Would you recommend he continues to take the daily probiotic in the long term alongside a multi vitamin .They both contain low / middle amounts of vitamin D so don't want to overdo it