Mother feeding her baby with a bottle while lovingly looking at the child in a brightly lit room with a large window in the background

Microbiota Development - the first 1000 days count

Taking care about the gut microbiota, even before birth, contributes to a lifelong benefit. 

Mother holding her baby, who is sucking on their thumb, in a cozy kitchen setting with a mixer and other kitchen items in the background.

From conception to age 2

This phase has a major influence on a child’s long-term and overall health. 

The first 1.000 days of life (this is circa the period between the conception and the child’s 2nd birthday) are regarded as a crucial phase and therefore considered the golden time for the establishment of the infant microbiota as they influence the development of the intestinal flora as well as the immune system. 

The good news is that the child's defences can already be strengthened during pregnancy and that moms-to-be can positively influence their baby's immune system through a healthy, mindful, and well-balanced diet. Also, after birth, there are many possibilities to support a positive development

Smiling baby in a yellow outfit sitting in a high chair, looking content while putting their hand in their mouth, with a window and greenery in the background. Smiling baby in a yellow outfit sitting in a high chair, looking content while putting their hand in their mouth, with a window and greenery in the background.

Microbiota Development – a foundation for a lifetime

A healthy and diverse intestinal flora is not only important for digestion, but also plays a decisive role in the development of the immune system. 

The decisive maturation of the intestinal flora begins at birth, where the mother transfers bacteria from her microbiota to the infant. After birth, the composition of the intestinal flora is mainly influenced by the child's diet (breastfeeding or infant formula), but also by the environment like the presence of siblings or pets. 

Perturbances to the intestinal flora in this critical time like the use of antibiotics can be associated with health effects later in life, e.g. an increased risk of allergies, asthma, or weight struggles. Against this background, it seems particularly important to support the development of healthy intestinal flora early in life.

Mother smiling and holding her baby dressed in a yellow outfit, standing in a bright room with a window and greenery in the background.

Tipps to support

A mother gives her baby much more than just love, attention, and security. Before birth, a varied and healthy diet can influence the baby's defences to strengthen the child's gut mircobiota in the first years of life. 

Supplementing probiotic food supplements, such as L. reuteri Protectis (DSM 17938), can be also beneficial during at least the last trimester of pregnancy. Even after birth you as parents can support the development of your babies gut microbiota. But how?

  • Allow your child a lot of skin-to-skin contact  
  • Spend some time outside every day
  • Make sure that your child gets enough sleep on a regular basis. 
  • With the introduction of solid food, integrate lot of fruits and vegetable 
  • Support your child's gut microbiota developement by supplementing a probiotic food supplement, such as L. reuteri DSM 17938 (Protectis), for the first two years.
Ciąża

Ciąża

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Kolki

Kolki

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