Below are some common signs of poor gut health.
Do your kids suffer from skin conditions, kids tummy aches, digestive problems, fussy eating or ear infections?
Are you overwhelmed and confused as a Mum about your child’s gut health?
Let’s explore why a kid’s gut and digestive health is important and some signs of poor gut health.
When previously discussing gut health, it was thought to only control the digestive system and its functions. In more recent times, we have discovered the important role the gut also plays in immunity, inflammation and even the brain and our emotions. The health of the gut offers many more benefits to your kid’s health and sets them up for a healthy life as an adult. It can affect your child’s immunity, digestion and mood. The gut of a child is made up of trillions of bacteria that live inside the gut and is established in the first few years of their life. Understanding the signs of poor gut health in children can help you make improvements with simple changes to keep their gut microbiome happy.
How do you know that your child’s gut health is functioning ok? Here is 7 signs that may indicate poor gut health in kids:
1. Skin Conditions
Skin conditions such as eczema and rashes can occur in children.
When a child’s gut is healthy and functioning, it carries out the following functions:
– digests food to make and absorb vitamins and minerals.
– detoxifies substances for elimination
– helps keep them safe from harmful bacteria
– creates a barrier to stop harmful substances passing through the gut wall.
Yet, when their gut isn’t functioning at its best, it can create an immune or inflammatory reaction in the body. Skin conditions such as eczema and rashes can be a result of this response in the body.
2. Kids Tummy Ache
One of the main features of a healthy gut is a diverse range of healthy gut bacteria. If there is an imbalance of bad bacteria in the gut, a child may complain of a tummy ache or abdominal pains.
3. Digestive Problems
A healthy children’s gut and digestive system does the following actions:
– Digests food
– Breaks the food down
– Absorbs nutrients
– Eliminates waste
Sometimes, these actions aren’t functioning at optimal and constipation or diarrhoea occur. Mucus in the stool or undigested foods are also signs that your kids gut health could do with some help.
4. Fussy eating
Poor gut health in kids may also show up as:
– fussy eating
– aversion to certain foods
– aversion to textured foods
– specific meal time rituals.
The issue with fussy eating is that it may create nutrient deficiencies. A healthy body requires a diverse range of nutrients that comes from a variety of foods.
Likewise, the good bacteria in a kids gut also likes a diverse range of foods to stay healthy.
For recipes and tips to help with a fussy eater, check out our Fussy Eating book for kids.
5. ADHD in Kids
Recent studies have started to show the correlation between the bacteria of the gut and the brain.
This is known as the gut-brain connection and refers to the physical and chemical connections between your gut and brain. ADHD and Autism as well as behavioural issues and tantrums have shown improvement when gut health has been addressed.
6. Failure to Thrive
If your child is failing to thrive or gain weight this may be an indication that something is going on with their gut health. Kid’s need to absorb nutrients to gain weight. Poor gut health can affect your child’s ability to absorb nutrients.
7. Kids Ear Infections
Frequent ear infections can be a sign of poor immunity and poor gut health. Children who regularly have runny noses, colds and the flu are signs that their immunity needs some help. About 70% of a kids immune system lives in the gut which is why it’s important to ensure that your kids gut health is functioning at its best.
Kid’s Gut Health – How to improve it?
Are you unsure of where to start to improve your kids gut health? Nutrition is a great place to start. Removing processed and sugar laden foods and switching to wholefoods is a great place to start.
Also reducing your child’s exposure to chemicals is really important too! Consulting with a Naturopath, Nutritionist or Integrative Practitioner is important for more severe cases.
We have lots of tips and tricks that can help guide you on the pathway to improving your child’s gut health.
Do you think you might need help a little extra help and support to improve your kids gut health. Then become a member of the Wholefoods, Low Tox Mums Membership where we can help!
Disclaimer:
All content and media on The Gut Healing Community Website is created and published online for informational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice and should not be relied on as health or personal advice.
Always seek the guidance of your doctor or other qualified health professional with any questions you may have regarding your health or a medical condition. Never disregard the advice of a medical professional, or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this Website.
