Who here has dealt with a cranky baby?
The answer I guess is, everyone. It is perhaps one of the most frustrating moments of parenthood: dealing with a crying baby, especially when there is no apparent reason for distress.
We can soothe them quite easily if they are wet or have soiled themselves. Unfortunately, understanding their discomfort takes longer. To help our babies feel better, we need to kiss them, cuddle them and take a closer look at their gut health.
Distress in the gut may trigger an emotional reaction from the brain.
Confused? Hang on, let us explain.
There is no doubt that the brain is the central command system of the body and has the primary responsibility of our baby’s learning and cognitive development.
Therefore all the attention we give to the development of our little ones’ brains, especially in the early days, is completely understandable.
However, did you know that our babies’ bodies (and ours too!) have a “second headquarters” that we often ignore?
This second headquarters is the gut, which is the gastrointestinal tract starting from your mouth, stomach, small and large intestines, finally ending at the anus. Our baby’s gut needs as much attention in the early stages of his growth, as the brain. This is because the gut supports brain development both directly and indirectly, while also impacting the total well-being of our baby.
Gut talks to the brain about well-being
We don’t realize it but the gut and the brain have a powerful two-way communication going on between them18,19.
- Top-down from the brain to the gut: The brain communicates emotions to the gut which can influence its functioning.
- Bottom-up from the gut to the brain: The gut sends messages to the brain about the baby’s sleep and appetite.
Two things make this communication possible.
First is the presence of 100 million neurons1 along the gut, thus forming a nervous system, which is in constant communication with the brain. Second is the fact that 90% of our body’s serotonin – the “feel good” hormone that enables brain cells and nervous system cells to communicate with each other is secreted in the gut8.
Serotonin has many functions, and the serotonin secreted in the gut is primarily responsible for regulating the bowel movement.
When it comes to our baby’s well-being – if the bowel movements are regular then it can influence his comfort and well-being, promote better sleep, which together help his day-to-day mood and prepare him to engage with the world.
Also, when the gut is healthy with plenty of good bacteria, there are increased levels of serotonin, which means that the brain can receive more signals of well-being.
On the other hand, poor gut health means that that the brain can receive messages of distress from it. This triggers alarm signals in the brain, which can manifest as irritability and crying19,20.
Remember, a baby feeling comfortable from within would be more ready and receptive to the stimuli around him.
Read on to find out how the gut helps supply fundamental building blocks to the brain.Keep reading to find out how you can win in the Dumex Spot the Wonders Contest – Over $10, 000 worth of prizes, including staycation prizes and a $7,000 jackpot travel voucher, await the lucky winners!
This article is brought to you by Danone Dumex®. Danone Dumex® is part of Nutricia, #1 Baby Milk company in Europe^
Gut helps supply the brain’s building blocks
For optimum growth and development, our baby’s brain needs the right building blocks which come in the form of nutrients such as DHA and ARA. These nutrients are needed by the brain in the right amounts at each stage of the baby’s growth.
Almost all nutrients that are needed by the brain (and other parts of the body) are processed by the gut, which performs the complicated task of breaking down food consumed into basic components and ensuring their proper absorption.
The gut also helps our baby further, by producing some essential vitamins that help in the absorption of important minerals16,21,22.
If the gut is unhealthy, it will hamper both these processes, i.e. it will prevent the absorption of essential nutrients needed for brain development and secondly it will also impact the communication of messages regarding satiety, health and comfort to the brain, hampering the baby’s sense of well-being.
A healthy gut is absolutely essential for the total well-being of your child. It is therefore important to nurture a healthy gut in your baby from the very beginning.
Mums and Dads, do you know the state of your baby’s gut health? Click here to find out about the 5 signs of a healthy gut.
Spot the Wonders Contest
More fascinating facts about gut health, and a chance to win in the Dumex Spot the Wonders Contest are just a click away. Visit dumex.com.sg/gut today! Over $10, 000 worth of prizes, including staycation prizes and a $7, 000 jackpot travel voucher, await the lucky winners!
This article is brought to you by Danone Dumex®.
Danone Dumex® is part of Nutricia, #1 Baby Milk company in Europe^
We have been focusing our scientific and clinical expertise on gut health for the last 40 years. Danone Dumex® is committed to supporting little guts by continuous improvement, to help maintain the overall health and well-being of babies.
^ Danone Nutricia ELN is the first Ranked Milk Formula manufacturer both in Sales Value and Sales Volume for these 9 countries(UK, DE, NL, IRL, PL, BEL, CZE/SLO and ROM) during the MAT period Dec 2015.
Click here for the scientific references on gut health.