3 Practical Tips to Maintain Good Intestinal Health in Infants

When we consider health in the pediatric population, many considerations focus on developmental milestones. Parents often fret over their baby’s weight and ability to digest new foods. At the heart of many of these issues may lie intestinal health, which impacts overall growth and development in children.

According to a 2025 New Scientist study, the small intestine can significantly impact metabolism and our ability to process food. In turn, the large intestine houses a microbial community, or ‘good’ bacteria that keep our digestion in order.

Increasingly, scientists researching this domain find that people with a healthy gut have more protection against aging-related illnesses. It has even inspired animated conversations on whether centenarians’ gut microbiomes may be special. It turns out: what’s in the intestine is more relevant than ever.

Let’s understand how we, as parents or caregivers, can keep our little ones’ intestines happy and ship-shape.

1. Choosing The Optimal Baby Food

For newborn babies, the best way to protect intestinal health is breastfeeding. The American Pregnancy Association notes that mother's milk has balanced nutrition for infants and also contains leukocytes to fight off infections. 

For parents considering alternative feeding options, it is worthwhile exploring formula brands based on human milk or containing fortifiers. Although baby formula brands must follow strict testing and quality standards, some recent developments point to risks for premature or low-birth-weight babies. 

Consuming formula food based on cow’s milk has been linked to necrotizing enterocolitis or NEC, a serious intestinal condition. The recent NEC lawsuit update is that proceedings against Abbott and Mead Johnson, leading baby formula manufacturers, continue in full force.

TorHoerman Law notes that pursuing legal action can help families find support during medical treatment and long-term care plans, which are often necessary with NEC.

If you are unable to find a feeding plan that suits both you and your baby, seek support from your healthcare team. For example, many women find lactation consultants beneficial in managing breastfeeding-related pain or latching issues. Your doctor will also help you stay alert to possible signs of distress in babies, such as abdominal swelling and lethargy.

2. Balancing Diet With Common Sense, Not Fads

• Baby-led feeding versus spoonfeeding.
• Thinly sliced vegetables versus pureed.
• Neatness from the get-go versus encouraging messiness.

Hundreds of decisions need to be made when you’re new parents. All of them, allegedly, impact the baby’s gut health and overall growth.

According to Innova’s latest report on Baby & Toddler Food Trends, clean label claims have grown exponentially. These foods have no additives, preservatives, sugar, or gluten. While the first three are arguably better off minimized, gluten’s rapidly acquired negative connotation is dubious. 

Many health experts note that a gluten-free diet for children may skip critical nutrients, such as B vitamins and antioxidants. It may not even meet their calorific needs. Likewise, Vice reports that the  “carnivore baby” trend, which focuses on meat while ignoring fruits and veggies, can lead to nutritional deficiencies.

That said, not all fads may be counterproductive. Recent research has realized

the sustainable production of Schizochytrium, an oil source of DHA, and lactoferrin, a milk protein. Including these ingredients in baby foods can improve their nutritional profile.

To stay sane, the best strategy is to focus on a common-sense diet that takes fads with a pinch of salt. Trusting your parental intuition and complementing it with your pediatrician’s advice is usually the optimal way to maintain an infant’s gut health.

3. Considering Probiotic Supplements

Probiotic supplements have been proven effective in maintaining gut flora in children and adults. A Frontiers study observes that probiotics (or friendly, live microbes) can alleviate the symptoms of inflammatory bowel disease and reduce inflammation. They have also been known to improve immune response.

In fact, some parents feel concerned that babies born via C-section miss getting exposed to these friendly bacteria. This apprehension about C-section babies missing beneficial microbes has given birth to techniques like vaginal seeding. Your practitioner may recommend smearing a baby’s skin with a vaginal swab.  

However, the BBC reports that approaches like vaginal seeding or microbial transplants can transfer dangerous pathogens to the infant. 

The best way to maintain probiotics in your kids’ intestinal flora is through dietary approaches. Fermented foods like yogurt and buttermilk are famously known for supporting digestive health. Note that these options are usually recommended for children after their first birthday.

Your pediatrician can also suggest probiotic supplements, which are likely safer and more suited to your child's needs than an OTC product.

They say new parents’ lives revolve around pee and poo. Their baby’s bowel movements are center stage in many conversations, from the dinner table to the supermarket grocery aisle. We constantly worry if the foods we choose and the lifestyle decisions we make for our children are optimal for their guts. 

When we consider how important our intestines are in the body’s overall functioning, this behavior becomes easier to understand. We hope you find the above tips helpful in maintaining your little one’s intestinal health.

Conclusion

• Caring for an infant’s intestinal health doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. With mindful feeding choices, a balanced and sensible diet, and safe probiotic support when needed, parents can build a strong foundation for lifelong wellness. A healthy gut in infancy often leads to better immunity, digestion, and overall growth.
• Ultimately, every baby is different, and their gut health journey will be too. Staying informed, trusting your instincts, and partnering closely with your pediatrician can help you navigate choices confidently. With small but consistent steps, you can keep your little one’s intestines healthy, happy, and thriving.