21/08/2026
🌱 Eczema, the gut microbiome & the first 1,000 days
Did you know your baby’s gut microbiome, immune system, gut barrier and skin barrier are all developing together during the first 1,000 days of life?
This important window provides an opportunity to support a diverse gut microbiome and healthy immune development — particularly for little ones with eczema or an increased risk of allergic disease.
So, what can we focus on?
🦠 Nourish the developing microbiome
Breast milk naturally contains Human Milk Oligosaccharides (HMOs) — important prebiotics that help nourish beneficial gut bacteria. If breastfeeding isn’t an option, choosing a suitable infant formula is important, and a paediatric dietitian can help guide you towards an appropriate choice for your baby.
🥦 Build plant diversity from the start
Once solids begin, gradually introducing a wide variety of plant foods provides different fibres and nutrients to help nourish a diverse gut microbiome.
🥜 Introduce common allergens during the first year
Once your baby is developmentally ready for solids, introduce common allergenic foods during infancy and, when tolerated, continue offering them regularly.
💗 Manage eczema well
Good eczema management is especially important in babies at increased risk of food allergy. Supporting the skin barrier alongside appropriate nutrition and allergen introduction can form part of a proactive approach during this important stage.
The goal isn’t a “perfect” microbiome (in fact everyone’s microbiom( is different). It’s about creating a supportive environment for microbial diversity, immune tolerance and healthy development.
This is where paediatric dietitian with a special interest in gut health can help guide you through formula choice, prebiotics, starting solids, plant diversity and allergen introduction — with advice tailored specifically to your baby.
✨ Does your little one have eczema?
Get personalised support during this vital window of microbiome development.
🌿 Biome Bliss
Paediatric Nutrition & Gut Health
