Antibiotics are fantastic defenders against bacteria and microbes. They are administered to kill the harmful bacteria in the body whenever there is an infection. Thus, ensuring our little ones stay strong and healthy.
Now imagine a world where the little kids thrive on a proper gut microbiota (good microbes) which is their weapon for a healthy immune system, better nutrition absorption and defense against tummy troubles. These good microbes are like a shield against gastrointestinal issues.
Now, let's discover how antibiotics act when they are administered into the little bodies.
Ill-effects of gut microbiota inhibition:
Keeping a close eye on antibiotics intake for toddlers is super important to ensure their well-being! While antibiotics can tackle harmful bacteria, it's crucial to be mindful as they might also affect the beneficial ones. Maintaining a balance in the body's microbiota is key for a happy and healthy gut. When this balance is disrupted, it can lead to tummy troubles and other health issues in the little ones. Studies suggest that kids' growth goes backwards upto 8 weeks on every course of antibiotics. The gut health is compromised and they face issues like loss of appetite, nausea, stomach ache, diarrhea. By being cautious with antibiotics, we're helping to keep the children better and reducing the chances of infections or metabolic issues. Cheers to a thriving and resilient childhood!
How to prevent ill effects of antibiotics in toddlers and kids:
A great starting point is to discuss with the pediatrician to ensure a judicious use of antibiotics.
In case of certain infections and conditions, when restricting the antibiotics use is inevitable, ensure you are feeding the children both prebiotics and probiotics -What are these?
Probiotics are foods that contain live microorganisms intended to maintain or improve the "good" bacteria in the body. While prebiotics are high-fiber foods that act as food for these bacteria. eg. of Prebiotics are apples, bananas, dry fruits, cereals, and millets. Sprinkle it with some joy of probiotics, which are dairy products (curd, milk, cheese), fermented food (idli, dhokla) and fermented drinks (kanji, kombucha, etc.). These probiotics bring a burst of beneficial bacteria and help replenish the good bacteria which are killed by antibiotic medication.
Pro-tip💫
Whenever you are setting the curd, add 8-10 raisins in every half litre of milk. The curd is probiotic (rich in good bacteria) while raisins are prebiotics (food for this good bacteria - high fibre naturally sweet), thus an ecosystem of good bacteria for their growth. The curd-raisin combo tastes extremely well too. 😍
This can be eaten regularly to keep the gut healthy.
Finally, keep good hydration – a simple yet mighty step that supports the seamless functioning of children’s digestive systems.
Cheers to a healthy journey towards well-being!