The Benefits of Probiotics for Your Baby

Learn more about the science behind breast milk and all of its benefits. It is a unique and dynamic source of nutrition that supports baby’s growth, immunity, and health.   

Tips to support your breastfeeding journey, which is unique to every mom. Here’s what you need to know - whether you're a first-time parent or looking for ways to improve your experience. 

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 a Fussy Baby 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 babies3,4 and helps support a healthy and balanced gut flora.5 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 3. Chau K et al. J Pediatr. 2015;166(1):74-78. 4. Savino F et al. Pediatrics. 2010;128: e528-e533. 5. Concorullo P et al. J Pediatr. 2010;157(4):598-602.

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 babies, 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.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 protect 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.ǂ 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. References: 1. Bode, L. Glycobiology. 2012;22(9):1147-62.2. Goehring K, et al. PLoS One. 2016;146(12):2559-2566. ǂ Not derived from human milk * All breastfed and partially breastfed infants in Canada should receive a daily vitamin D supplement of 10ug (400 IU).

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

Introducing your baby to a variety of tastes and textures is a wonderful way to support their physical and sensory development. One of the most exciting milestones is when your baby starts eating finger foods. These early experiences go beyond simply feeding; they offer a chance to introduce your little one to new textures, flavours, and smells that will shape their relationship with food for years to come. When to offer finger foods Around eight months of age, babies may start to show interest in grasping small bits of food. At first, they’ll likely use their whole hand, but with practice they may refine their skills and start using their thumb and forefinger to pick up smaller bits of food with their pincer grip. This is a natural step in developing fine motor skills. Encourage them to try different foods in the next few months. The more they experiment with different tastes and textures, the more they’ll build diverse food preferences as they approach their first birthday. At the family table When introducing finger foods, make sure your baby is seated and supervised while eating. Giving baby a sturdy plate or bowl with large openings will help them pick up food with their fingers more easily. And don’t worry about the mess! Finger feeding is not only fun, but an important way for your baby to learn about food, develop hand-eye coordination, and nurture their independence. Snack and meal ideas Babies have small tummies, so small meals and snacks work best. When introducing finger foods, it’s best to start with soft, easy-to-grasp options. Offer bite-sized pieces of soft foods like steamed veggies or fruits, like ripe banana pieces. Foods that dissolve quickly in the mouth and are easy to pick up, like well-cooked pieces of pasta, can also be introduced. When your baby starts to get the hang of chewing soft foods, you can gradually introduce more textured foods like grain snacks and bits of toast. Between eight to 12 months, your baby may be able to bite, and chew chopped foods and a greater variety of finger foods, including small pieces of soft meats, poultry, scrambled eggs, and cooked beans. You can also start offering foods from family meals (if they are made with little or no added salt or sugar). As you introduce finger foods, always be mindful of choking hazards. Avoid foods that can be swallowed whole, like grapes, whole nuts, or chunks of raw veggies. Keep track with our Baby Feeding Log A handy-dandy way to keep tabs on all of baby’s feeds, wet diapers, and sleep patterns is with our free printable tracker. It makes logging baby’s feeding journey a breeze! Download Feeding Log Top Takeaways: Embrace the mess! Introducing finger foods is an exciting time in baby’s development. Though it may get messy, this stage is essential. The textures and colours of baby’s food will stimulate their senses, and the variety of flavours they experience will lay the foundation for healthy eating habits in the future. So, embrace the mess and celebrate every bite with baby! Please consult your doctor if you have any questions about your baby’s feeding progress or diet.  References HealthLink BC, 2024. Baby’s First Foods. Accessed April 2025. https://www.healthlinkbc.ca/healthlinkbc-files/babys-first-foods Canadian Pediatric Society. Caring for kids. Feeding your baby in the first year. Accessed August 2026. https://caringforkids.cps.ca/handouts/pregnancy-and-babies/feeding_your_baby_in_the_first_year