How you can give your baby a great start

The first 1000 days of life are vital when it comes to establishing a healthy microbiome and immune system in your child.

You’re pregnant and with all the wonder and excitement comes the realisation that you’re already responsible for the health and wellbeing of the little person growing inside you.

If you’ve been reading up about becoming a parent, or this is your second or third child, you probably already know about the first 1000 days – that crucial period of time referring to a child’s life from the moment they’re conceived until they reach two years of age.

Research shows that what happens in this narrow window of time lays the foundation for your child’s future health and can have a lifelong effect on their wellbeing.

Why are the first 1000 days so important?

The seeds of your baby’s health are planted in utero and they continue to grow through early childhood – a time that your baby’s brain, body and immune system all grow and develop at a significant rate.

During the first 1000 days the brain grows more quickly than at any other time in a person’s life.

Your infant’s gastrointestinal tract is also undergoing rapid growth and development, including the establishment of the all-important gut microbiota, the billions of bacteria and other microorganisms that exist in the intestinal tract.

Establishing a healthy, resilient microbiome

This vast, yet invisible ecosystem plays an important role in supporting your child’s growth and development and helping them develop a resilient and well-functioning immune system.

An imbalance of bacteria can impact the balance of digestive system and health and wellbeing, whereas exposure to beneficial bacteria may help keep the balance of digestive system, which may in turn have an impact on health and wellbeing.

Which is why during pregnancy and breastfeeding, it’s important for mums to have a healthy and balanced diet, which can include probiotic foods like good quality yoghurts and other fermented foods, as well as prebiotic foods like wholegrains, fruits and vegies.

A little extra help with probiotic supplements

Fortunately these days, there are plenty of options available to help keep mums and bubs healthy and well, with probiotic supplements available to complement your lifestyle during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Life-Space Probiotic+ Pregnancy & Breastfeeding is a multi-strain probiotic formula containing four strains of beneficial bacteria as well as calcium and vitamin D, which supports healthy growth and development in healthy breastfed infants.

Life-Space, a team of scientists, innovators and passionate ambassadors of the human microbiome, also offer Probiotic Powder for Baby (0-3 years), which comes with 10 strains of good bacteria to support a healthy digestive system.

And, as your little one grows a bit older, Life-Space Probiotic Powder for Children (3-12 years), with 15 strains of beneficial bacteria and specifically formulated to support the gut microbiome and immune system health, as well as healthy bowel function and general health and wellbeing.

All three have no added dairy, gluten or egg and are vegetarian-friendly, with no refrigeration required.¹

* This post is brought to you by Life-Space Group. Always read the label and follow the directions for use.

¹ Store below 30°C in a dry place. Use within three months of opening. No refrigeration required.