Building a Healthy Gut Microbiota in Babies

Breast milk is the ideal food for babies in the first six months, providing everything a baby needs for optimal growth and development*. Breast milk changes over time to meet the needs of your growing baby and its unique composition is tailored to support digestion, strengthen the immune system, and promote healthy cognitive and physical development. Why Is Breast Milk Beneficial? Breastfeeding offers a range of benefits for both baby and mother. In addition to being a natural source of nourishment, it helps establish a strong foundation for long-term health. Gentle Proteins: Breast milk contains the right balance and quality of proteins to support baby’s needs. These proteins are easy to digest and support baby’s rapid growth and development. Immune system support: Antibodies in breast milk help protect against infections, reducing the risk of common childhood illnesses like ear infections, diarrhea, and respiratory issues.1 Short and long-term health benefits: Studies suggest that breastfeeding may protect babies from gastrointestinal and ear infections, and it potentially lowers the likelihood of developing allergies, asthma, obesity, and type 2 diabetes later in life.2 Key Components of Breast Milk The composition of breast milk is dynamic, adapting to meet a baby’s nutritional needs. It includes: Proteins, fats, and carbohydrates: These macronutrients provide energy, aid in brain development, and support bone growth. Vitamins and minerals: Essential nutrients like calcium, iron, and zinc contribute to strong immunity and proper development. Human Milk Oligosaccharides (HMOs): These unique carbohydrates are only found in breast milk and have been shown to nourish beneficial gut bacteria and support baby’s developing immune system.3 How Breast Milk Changes Over Time Breast milk is not a static food—it evolves as a baby grows, ensuring they receive the necessary nutrients at every stage. Colostrum: Produced in the first few days after birth, this thick, nutrient-dense milk is packed with antibodies that provide immune protection. Transitional milk: As a mother’s milk supply increases, this phase delivers higher amounts of fat and lactose to support energy levels and brain growth. Mature milk: By the second or third week postpartum, mature milk has developed and provides the right mix of nutrients each time baby feeds.* * All breastfed and partially breastfed infants in Canada should receive a daily vitamin D supplement of 10ug (400 IU).  References: 1. Government of Canada, 2023. Breastfeeding your baby. Accessed February 2025. URL: https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/child-infant-health/breastfeeding-infant-nutrition.html 2. World Health Organization, 2017. Continued breastfeeding for healthy growth and development of children. Accessed February 2025. URL: https://www.who.int/tools/elena/bbc/continued-breastfeeding#:~:text=Breastfeeding%20has%20also%20been%20shown,)%20(2%2D3. Bode L, et al. Glycobiology. 2012;22(2):1147-1162.

The gut is home to the trillions of microorganisms that together make up the microbiota. These microorganisms are "friendly" bacteria that can support digestive and immune function. When baby is born, their gut microbiota hasn’t developed yet, but very quickly after birth many different factors affect the makeup of the gut microbiota and it continues evolving through early childhood. For example, whether a baby is born by C-section or vaginal delivery can result in differences in their gut microbiota. Other factors that can have an impact on baby’s developing gut microbiota are if they are breastfed or formula-fed or if they are given antibiotics. The gut microbiota plays a crucial role in our overall well-being, from digestion to immune function. One way to support the development of baby’s microbiota is by supplementing with probiotics, which are live, beneficial bacteria that, when administered in adequate amounts, offer a health benefit.  Not all probiotics are the same. Each strain has unique properties and functions, meaning that different strains can have different effects on health. Breast milk naturally contains probiotics and prebiotics that are good for baby’s gut health. For formula-fed babies, some infant formulas, like Good Start® Plus powder formula, contain probiotics like the ones found in breast milk1 to help support a healthy microbiota. For parents looking for another option, probiotic supplements for babies are available in the form of drops, powders, or sachets. What are the Benefits of Probiotics for Baby? Probiotics can offer several benefits for babies, including: Support Digestive Health: Probiotics can help balance the gut microbiome and help promote overall digestive health.1  Promotes Regular Stools: Some probiotic strains have been shown to help improve bowel movements and reduce symptoms of constipation in babies.2 Reducing Colic Symptoms: Studies show that probiotic L. reuteri helps reduce fussiness in formula-fed babies3 and helps reduce crying time in colicky breastfed babies.3,4 Prevent Antibiotic-Associated Diarrhea: Some probiotic strains help to prevent diarrhea caused by antibiotic use and can help maintain a healthy balance of gut bacteria.5 Supporting the Immune System: Probiotics help promote a balanced gut microbiota, and the gut microbiota plays an important role in the development of the immune system. Certain probiotic strains, like B. lactis, have been shown to help support the immune system and gastrointestinal health of infants.6 Whether through breastfeeding or choosing an infant formula or supplement with probiotics, probiotics can help support your baby’s good gut health. For more information or support, consult your healthcare provider if you have any questions about introducing probiotics to your baby. References: 1. Saavedra JM. Nutr Clin Pract. 2007;22:351–65.2. Cocorullo P et al. J Pediatr. 2010;157(4):598-602.3. Czerkies L, et al. J Pediatr Health Nutr. 2019 ;1(1) :19-264. Chau K, et al. J Pediar. 2015; 166(1):74-78.5. Schneider R,Sant’Anna A. Paediatrics & Child Health. 2022; 27:482–491 6. Holscher HD, et al. JPEN. 2013;36(1):106S-117S. 

Breastfeeding is a new experience for you and baby and while it is a rewarding experience, it may also come with some challenges. Whether you're a first-time parent or looking for ways to improve your breastfeeding journey, patience, support, and knowledge can all help you feel more confident. From maintaining a balanced diet to recognizing your baby’s feeding cues, here’s what you need to know. What to Eat When Breastfeeding A mother’s diet during breastfeeding impacts both her energy levels and the quality of her milk. Eating a variety of nutrient-dense foods helps ensure both mother and baby are well nourished. Nutrient-rich foods: A well-balanced diet that includes whole grains, fresh fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and dairy supports milk production and overall health. Staying hydrated: Breastfeeding increases fluid needs, so drinking plenty of water helps to maintain good milk supply. Vitamin D supplementation: All breastfed and partially breastfed babies in Canada should receive a daily supplement of 10 micrograms (400 IU) of vitamin D.1 Tips for Successful Breastfeeding Establishing a smooth breastfeeding routine can take time and patience. These strategies can help ensure a comfortable and effective experience: Skin-to-skin contact: Holding your baby skin-to-skin immediately after birth can promote bonding and encourage natural feeding instincts.2 Recognizing hunger cues: Babies show early signs of hunger, such as rooting, sucking on their hands, or becoming more alert before they start crying.3 Ensuring a proper latch: A deep latch helps prevent nipple pain and allows for more effective milk transfer, making feedings more efficient. Seeking support: Lactation consultants, healthcare professionals, and support groups can offer guidance to help navigate breastfeeding challenges. Breastfeeding is a journey that looks different for every parent. With the right preparation, nutrition, and support, mothers can create a feeding plan that works best for them and their baby. If you are in need of additional breastfeeding support, connect with your healthcare provider (midwife, doctor, or nurse), your local public health unit, a lactation consultant, or friends and family if non-medical advice is sought. References: 1. HealthLinkBC, 2021. Vitamin D and your health. Accessed February 2025. URL: https://www.healthlinkbc.ca/healthlinkbc-files/vitamin-d-and-your-health 2. Government of Canada, 2023. Ten Valuable Tips for Successful Breastfeeding. Accessed February 2025. URL: https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/publications/healthy-living/valuable-tips-successful-breastfeeding.html3. Fraser Health, n.d. Breastfeeding/chestfeeding basics. Accessed February 2025. URL: https://www.fraserhealth.ca/health-topics-a-to-z/pregnancy-and-baby/breastfeeding/getting-started-with-breastfeeding#:~:text=Watch%20your%20baby%20for%20feeding,baby%20before%20they%20get%20upset. 

All babies cry. It helps them to communicate, and some babies cry more than others. While crying is a normal part of infancy, frequent or prolonged fussiness can be distressing for parents. Understanding the potential causes and effective soothing techniques can help parents provide the best care for their baby. Common Causes of Fussiness Babies cry for a variety of reasons, including1: Hunger: Signs include rooting, sucking on hands, and increased alertness. Crying is a late sign that baby is very hungry. Dirty diaper: Discomfort from a wet or soiled diaper can lead to fussiness. Temperature sensitivity: Babies may cry if they are too hot or too cold. Teething: Sore gums can cause irritability, drooling, and increased chewing. Spit-up and reflux: Some babies experience discomfort due to reflux or frequent spit-up. Gas and digestion issues: Bloating and gas buildup can lead to crying and restlessness. Constipation or diarrhea: Irregular bowel movements can cause discomfort. How to Soothe a Fussy Baby There are several ways you can help calm your fussy baby, depending on the cause of their distress2: Establish a comforting routine: Swaddling, rocking gently, offering a pacifier, or playing soothing sounds like white noise can help comfort your baby and make them feel secure. Feed slowly and burp often: Taking breaks to burp your baby during and after feeds can help reduce gas build up and spit-up. Create a calm environment: Dim the lights, lower noise levels, and minimize stimulation to help your baby settle. Use tummy time and gentle movement: Holding your baby upright or giving them supervised tummy time can sometimes ease digestion and reduce gas. Consider supplementing with probiotic L. reuteri: This probiotic has been clinically shown to reduce crying time in colicky breastfed babies and helps support a healthy and balanced gut flora. Remember, it is normal for babies to have periods of fussiness, especially in the first few months. However, if your baby’s crying seems excessive, is difficult to soothe, or is accompanied by other symptoms such as fever, poor feeding, vomiting, or diarrhea, speak with your healthcare provider for advice and support. References: 1. Unicef Parenting, n.d. How to soothe a baby: Mini Parenting Master Class video. Accessed February 2025. URL: https://www.unicef.org/parenting/child-care/how-soothe-baby#transcript 2. Caring for Kids, 2021.Colic and crying. Accessed February 2025. URL: https://caringforkids.cps.ca/handouts/pregnancy-and-babies/colic_and_crying  

A healthy and balanced microbiota plays an important role in digestion, immunity, and overall health. The gut microbiota is the collection of microorganisms that live and interact within the digestive tract. It quickly begins developing at birth and continues to evolve in the first three years of life. What Is the Gut Microbiota? Gut microbiota refers to the diverse community of bacteria, and other microorganisms that live and interact throughout your digestive tract. These microorganisms help keep you healthy by supporting digestion and immune function.  The composition of an infant’s gut microbiota is shaped early on and factors that have a big impact are baby’s delivery method, baby feeding choices, and environmental exposures. How Do Babies Develop Their Gut Microbiota? Several factors contribute to the development of a baby’s gut microbiota: Delivery method: Babies born vaginally receive beneficial bacteria from their mother’s birth canal. Babies born by C-section aren’t exposed to bacteria in the birth canal, so the first bacteria they are exposed to is different. Feeding practices: Breastfeeding: Breast milk naturally contains probiotics and prebiotic HMOs that nourish beneficial bacteria in the gut microbiota. Formula feeding: Baby formulas that contain added probiotics and/or HMOs (like 2’-FL) can help support the development of the baby’s gut microbiota.1 Environmental exposure: Many environmental factors including where you live, family members, and even pets introduce microbes that contribute to baby’s gut microbiota diversity.1 Why Is the Gut Microbiota Important for Baby’s Health? A balanced gut microbiota is essential for supporting: Digestion and nutrient absorption: Beneficial bacteria aid in breaking down certain complex carbohydrates and dietary fibres. They also help the body synthesize certain vitamins and nutrients.2 Immune system development: Up to 80% of the body’s immune cells are found in the digestive tract. The bacteria in the gut microbiota are constantly interacting with the immune system and contribute to its function and to overall health.3 Reducing digestive discomfort: Research suggests that promoting a healthy microbiota may increase digestive comfort, reduce crying time in colicky babies and promote softer stools.3 For more information or support, consult your healthcare provider about how feeding practices can support gut health and immune function. References: 1.    Canadian Digestive Health Foundation. Microbiota in Early Years. November 2022. https://cdhf.ca/en/microbiota-in-early-years/ Accessed April 2025.2.    Hesla H, et al. FEMS Microbiol Ecol. 2014;90(3):791-801.3.    Saavedra J. Nutr Clin Pract. 2007;22(3):351-365. 

Breast milk provides all the nutrition a baby needs for healthy growth and development.* It contains nutrients, bioactive compounds, and protective factors and adapts to baby’s needs over time.  Breast milk contains several unique and protective factors that distinguish it from other types of milk – one of these is Human Milk Oligosaccharides (HMOs). What Are HMOs? HMOs are bioactive compounds only found in breast milk and are a more recent discovery in baby nutrition. They are a special type of carbohydrate that offers protective benefits for baby, including supporting their digestive health and developing their immune system. There are over 200 types of HMOs in human milk, with 2'-fucosyllactose (2’-FL) being one of the most abundant. Why Are HMOs Important for Your Baby? HMOs can contribute to your baby’s overall health by: Promoting Gut Health: HMOs can be a food for the probiotics (beneficial bacteria) present in a baby’s gut microbiota.1 They play an important role in supporting the growth of healthy bacteria in baby’s gut microbiota.  Supporting the Immune System: HMOs help ‘friendly’ bacteria grow and protecting against ‘unfriendly’ bacteria and viruses.1 Sources of HMOs Breast Milk: Contains over 200 different types of HMOs. The most abundant HMO in breast milk is 2’-FL, which has been shown to support digestive health and the developing immune system.1,2 Infant Formula with 2’-FL: Certain infant formulas, like Good Start® Plus formulas, have added 2’-FL that is structurally identical to the 2’-FL in breast milk.   By supporting digestive and immune health, HMOs can help support your baby’s healthy development. For more information or support, speak with your healthcare provider if you have questions about HMOs for your baby. * All breastfed and partially breastfed infants in Canada should receive a daily vitamin D supplement of 10ug (400 IU). References: 1. Bode, L. Glycobiology. 2012;22(9):1147-62.2. Goehring K, et al. PLoS One. 2016;146(12):2559-2566.

Feeding a toddler can be quite an adventure! These early years are important for your child’s growth and development, and for establishing lifelong healthy eating habits. By creating a regular schedule of meals and snacks, offering a variety of foods from Canada’s Food Guide, and making mealtimes positive family experiences, you can help your toddler grow and thrive. Here are some tips to set your little one up for success: Encouraging Healthy Eating Habits Building a positive relationship with food and mealtimes early on can help set your toddler up for better eating habits later in life. Here are some ways you can foster a balanced approach1: Eat together as a family: When you share meals with your toddler, it not only gives them the chance to observe healthy eating and social behaviors, but it also helps shape their food preferences and eating habits based on the choices and attitudes they see. Keep a consistent routine: Serving meals and snacks at regular times each day helps your toddler understand mealtime expectations and feel more secure. Offer a variety of foods: Introducing different flavours, colours, and textures early and often can help increase your toddler’s acceptance of new foods and prevent nutrient gaps. Create distraction-free meals: Turn off screens and put away toys during mealtimes. This helps your toddler focus on eating and learn to listen to their natural hunger and fullness cues. Transitioning from Bottle to Cup Switching from a bottle to a cup is an important developmental milestone that supports oral and motor skill development. With your help, you can make this transition smooth and positive2: Start early: Around six months of age, offer small sips of water from an open cup to help your baby begin developing drinking skills, alongside breastfeeding or formula-feeding. Make it gradual: Gradually offer an open cup at mealtimes, giving your toddler small amounts of fluid while slowly reducing bottle feedings. Choose healthy beverages: In the first year, breast milk and/or infant formula should remain your baby’s main source of nutrition. Between 9 and 12 months, you can start offering whole (3.25% M.F.) cow’s milk once your baby is eating a variety of iron-rich foods. Toddlers need lots of energy so continue to give them up to 500 mL (about 2 cups) of whole milk per day until they are 2 years old. If your toddler is thirsty, offer water instead of fruit juice. Managing Picky Eating Picky eating is a common phase in toddlerhood, but with patience and consistency, you can help your child develop a healthy, balanced diet3: Be patient with new foods: It’s normal for toddlers to need multiple exposures before accepting a new food. Keep offering a variety of healthy options without pressure. Be a role model: Your toddler is more likely to try new foods when they see you enjoying them too. Get them involved: Let your toddler help with simple tasks like washing vegetables or stirring ingredients. Being involved in meal preparation often makes them more excited to eat. Stick to a routine: Offering regular meals and snacks at consistent times helps your toddler know what to expect and supports better eating habits. By creating a positive, structured mealtime routine and offering a wide variety of foods, you can support your toddler’s healthy growth and set the stage for lifelong positive eating habits. Toddlerhood is an important time for building healthy eating patterns. For more information, additional support, or if you have any questions, speak with your healthcare provider. Footnotes: 1. Health Canada, Canadian Paediatric Society, Dietitians of Canada, & Breastfeeding Committee for Canada. 2014. Nutrition for Healthy Term Infants: Recommendations from six to 24 months.2. HealthyChildren.org, 2023. From Bottle to Cup: Helping Your Child Make a Healthy Transition. Accessed February 2025. https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/baby/feeding-nutrition/Pages/Discontinuing-the-Bottle.aspx3. HealthLinkBC, 2022. Helping Your 1 to 3 Year Old Child Eat Well. Accessed February 2025. https://www.healthlinkbc.ca/healthlinkbc-files/helping-your-1-3-year-old-child-eat-well

By months nine or ten, you’ll notice how quickly your little one is developing. They’re exploring the world in new ways and showing off their growing motor skills. It’s an exciting time, and it’s easy to get caught up in these big, beautiful moments. But amid all the changes, don’t overlook physical activity! Incorporating active play into your baby’s daily routine helps lay the foundation for a healthy, active lifestyle as they grow. Health benefits and beyond Being physically active every day is essential for your baby’s healthy growth and development. It provides many benefits, including: Building strong bones. Boosting their mood and self-esteem.1 Supporting their heart and lungs. Improving their flexibility. The Canadian Paediatric Society recommends that infants should be physically active several times a day, including at least 30 minutes of supervised tummy time, which helps baby build the muscles they need to sit and crawl.1 When your baby becomes a toddler, they should reach 180 minutes of physical activity throughout their day, including structured and unstructured activity. Starting now will make the transition smoother. Tips for encouraging active play Here are four easy ways to keep your baby active and engaged. 1. Flex those muscles: Encourage your little one to be physically active throughout the day. The good news is that you don’t need fancy toys or equipment. Spending supervised time on the floor together, while baby crawls, rolls, and reaches for toys, will get those tiny muscles working! 2. Wiggle and wriggle: Try not to let your baby sit in the same position in a stroller, car seat, or highchair for too long. You want to keep them moving as much as possible, so aim for small, frequent bursts of play throughout the day. 3. Drink up, cutie pie: Active play can make your baby thirsty, so encourage sips of water throughout the day. Teach them good habits by drinking water alongside them. 4. Snooze on: A well-rested baby is a more active baby. At 10 months, your little one should be sleeping 12-15 hours in a 24-hour period, including naps.2 This will give your baby the energy they need to move and explore.  Top takeaways By making physical activity part of your baby’s day through play and supervised movement, you’re helping them build strength, flexibility, and confidence—and setting them up for a healthy, active future. 1 Canadian Paediatric Society, Caring for Kids. Physical activity for children and youth. Accessed April 2025. https://caringforkids.cps.ca/handouts/healthy-living/physical_activity 2 Canadian Paediatric Society, Caring for Kids. Healthy sleep for your baby and child. Accessed April 2025. https://caringforkids.cps.ca/handouts/healthy-living/healthy_sleep_for_your_baby_and_child