Indeed, even if many factors will vary the balance of our microbiota, the first moments of a child's life are decisive for the constitution of his microbiota in the future. He must build up a quality bacterial "capital" before the age of 3, to effectively arm himself against various external aggressions, allergies, digestive discomfort, etc.
To help your child develop a healthy microbiota, you first need to understand how it is formed. The process begins within the first few seconds of life. We encounter different microorganisms during childbirth, whether through contact with the mother's vaginal flora and/or the hospital environment. Studies have also highlighted differences in microbiota composition depending on the method/place of delivery. Skin contact with parents is also a significant factor in the transmission of microorganisms, as is breast milk. The latter has an additional advantage: it contains prebiotics, which promote the development of microorganisms and optimize their effects.
The major problem lies in the fact that, just like adults, children are exposed to risk factors that disrupt the proper development of their various flora. The constantly increasing prevalence of certain pathologies remains the best indicator of this phenomenon. For example, today, 25 to 30% of the world's population is affected by a skin, respiratory, or generalized allergy. However, this figure represented only 3% in 1970, and the WHO predicts that 50% of the population will be affected by 2050. So what are the attitudes to adopt to help your child build their microbiota? We give you some advice to help them arm themselves in the best possible way.
#1 - Focus on food!
Researchers agree that breastfeeding has a beneficial impact on children's intestinal flora, as breast milk contains a multitude of microorganisms and nutrients that are beneficial to the development of the child and their microbiota.
But sometimes women don't want to, or can't, breastfeed, and in this case, introducing solid foods from 6 months onward is even more important. Furthermore, emphasizing fruits and vegetables will have an impact on prebiotic intake. It's therefore important to monitor and vary your child's diet during their early years.
#2 - Accept pets
Many people are afraid to let their pets near their children. While you should, of course, monitor your pet's behavior, many are ultimately surprised by how gently animals approach children. This instinct is all the more beneficial for children because animals also host microorganisms that children can benefit from. So, you can let them socialize!
#3 - Limit antibiotics
As with adults, antibiotics eradicate a large portion of the good bacteria by trying to eliminate the bad ones. During this build-up phase, it is therefore best to ensure the real benefit of consuming them before doing so, and not to rush into this type of treatment.
Sources:
[1] Van Nimwegen, F., Penders, J., Stobberingh, E., Postma, D., Koppelman, G., Kerkhof, M., Reijmerink, N., Dompeling, E., van den Brandt, P., Ferreira, I., Mommers, M. and Thijs, C., 2011. Mode and place of delivery, gastrointestinal microbiota, and their influence on asthma and atopy .
[2] Inserm. (2016). Allergies. An increasingly frequent disorder of the immune system.
[3] Savage, J., Lee-Sarwar, K., Sordillo, J., Lange, N., Zhou, Y., O'Connor, G., Sandel, M., Bacharier, L., Zeiger, R., Sodergren, E., Weinstock, G., Gold, D., Weiss, S. and Litonjua, A., 2018. Diet during Pregnancy and Infancy and the Infant Intestinal Microbiome .
[4] Sansotta, N., Peroni, D., Romano, S., Rugiano, A., Vuilleumier, P. and Baviera, G., 2019. The good bugs: the use of probiotics in pediatrics .
