24/08/2026
Prebiotics, Probiotics and Paediatric Gut Health.
our child's gut is home to trillions of bacteria, viruses and fungi. Collectively, we call this the gut microbiome.
Before you panic at the word "bacteria", most of these tiny organisms are actually working for us, not against us.
Think of the microbiome as a busy little neighbourhood. The good residents help digest food, produce vitamins, support the immune system and even communicate with the brain. In fact, around 70% of our immune cells are found in the gut.
The first few years of life are when this neighbourhood is being built. A baby's microbiome is influenced by pregnancy, birth, feeding, antibiotics, infections, pets, siblings, outdoor play and, importantly, diet.
So where do probiotics and prebiotics fit in?
Prebiotics are the food for the good bacteria already living in the gut. They are found naturally in foods such as bananas, oats, onions, garlic, asparagus, beans and many fruits and vegetables. Breast milk also contains special prebiotics called human milk oligosaccharides that help nourish beneficial bacteria in babies.
Probiotics are the live "good" bacteria themselves. They are found in some yoghurts, fermented foods and certain supplements.
Should every child take a probiotic?
