There’s a second brain in your child’s body, and it’s full of superpowers! Read on to find out what it is and what it does…
Parents are forever fussing about their kids’ gut health. Some of us are obsessed with trying to get at least one burp out after each feed, while the rest of us probably breathe a huge sigh of relief whenever we see a dirty diaper. If you think you’re overreacting – you’re not! You should be paying extra attention to your child’s gut health as that’s where their “second brain” is located.
Second brain? What’s that?
This may come as a surprise to some of us, but it’s true! Your child does have a “second brain” and it’s in their gut. Known as the enteric nervous system (ENS) to researchers, this “second brain” is mainly in charge of controlling digestion. This covers every action from your kid swallowing their food, all the way to absorption of nutrients and elimination (aka pooping).
As you can see, the gut plays a crucial role in the body. While it may seem that the gut mainly affects our kid’s physical health, it does much more. Here are some cool facts you gut-ta know about the second brain:
1. A happy gut makes a happy child
An unwell stomach will send distress signals to the brain; a healthy stomach will send positive signals to the brain. That’s why your child is most likely to be cranky when experiencing bowel issues like constipation and bloating.
In addition, the gut is home to a trillion good bacteria and other beneficial organisms which are collectively called the ‘gut microbiome’. Recent research has found that the gut microbiome also communicates with the brain by sending signals about its wellbeing through the nervous system in the gastrointestinal tract.
So, when your kid’s gut is healthy and is fed with all the nutrients the body and microbiomes need, then you’ll have a happy and healthy kid at home!
2. A healthy gut reduces a child’s risk of allergies
Fun fact: 70% of your child’s immune system cells are associated with the gut wall. Together, they form the first line of defence. Should this line of defence be broken, your child will be at risk of infections and prone to allergic reactions which may cause symptoms like diarrhoea, eczema, shortness of breath, and more.
The gut microbiome is also responsible for developing and maintaining your child’s gut wall. They help it mature and respond normally to potential allergens (eg. milks and eggs) in a child’s diet. A healthy gut microbiome is also better able to bind the allergens in your child’s gut to reduce allergic reactions.
Another point to note is that a 2013 survey1 conducted among parents and caregivers found that 91% of babies in Singapore experience feeding intolerance issues like colic and excessive spit-up. A possible reason for this could be that their digestive systems are still developing and aren’t able to digest certain ingredients well yet.
3. The gut is capable of influencing brain development
As mentioned earlier, your child’s gut and brain are constantly communicating with each other through a network of nerves through which distress and positive signals are sent.
The microbes in the gut act on prebiotics and produce unique metabolites that work in a variety of ways including via the vagus nerve to build connections in the brain. This enhances cognitive function in early life, increasing even the speed of brain connections.
A healthy gut is key to a child’s physical and mental wellbeing
As you can see, your child’s gut is full of superpowers! But for the gut to exercise these superpowers at their full potential, it needs to be well nourished and nurtured. As parents, we can ensure this by maintaining our child’s gut health. Here are some simple things you can do to boost your little one’s gut health:
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- Always serve fruits and vegetables: You’ll want to make sure fibre is always present on bub’s plate as it helps with healthy digestion.
- Get active: Regular exercise stimulates your child’s intestinal muscles, promotes good bowel movement, and relieves constipation.
- Continue monitoring pooping habits: This is the most immediate indicator of your child’s gut health. Take note of stool texture as this can give you insights about what may be lacking in their diets.
- Feed the gut microbiome: 2′-FL and prebiotics like FOS and GOS are the preferred food of your child’s gut microbiome. Also, probiotics (good bacteria) like Bifidobacterium survive the digestive journey to increase the number of good bacteria in the gut. So, if you’re using formula for your little one, make sure to look out for these!
- Look for gentle formula: If you’re using formula for your little one, it’s a good idea to consider getting one that’s easy on the tummy. Hypoallergenic formula contain partially hydrolyzed whey that deliver smaller proteins to the gut and are more easily absorbed.
Your child’s gut health can affect overall wellbeing: physical, mental, and emotionally. So, the next time your kid is upset, don’t be so quick to dismiss it. Work on their diet to keep the gut and microbiome happy and healthy. Your child’s smiles will be your reward.
1Based on a survey with 2383 Singapore parents and caregivers in 2013.
This post is in partnership with Abbott
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**Mums of babies over 6 months of age. Based on Abbott’s internal computation of Similac 2′-FL global usage, as of Jun 2021.