Children are vulnerable to developing diarrhea, especially between the age of six to twelve months old, when they can experience two to three episodes of diarrhoea – and that is just an average! Among children in developed countries ,the incidence of gastroenteritis, manifesting as diarrhoea, vomiting and fever, peaks at the age of 5 – 12 months.
Incidentally, this vulnerability coincides with the child’s weaning stage. During this time, children are introduced to a wider variety of foods and increased physical activities, which in turn exposes them to a higher chance of food and environmental contamination.
A HEAD START – DON’T LET DIARRHOEA LEAVE ITS MARKS
Studies have found frequent diarrhoea in children to be related to stunted growth – which can in turn affect a child’s intellectual development. A head start to good health is hence a foundation for your child’s intelligence.
The intestine plays a major role in maintaining good health. Besides digesting food, it also functions as the largest immune organ in the body.
In the intestine there are more than 500 species of bacteria, also known as intestinal microflora. Some, such as bifidobacteria and lactobacilli, are beneficial and provide the body with protective barrier against the growth and invasion of harmful bacteria.
 |
HOW DO BIFIDOBACTERIA AND LACTOBACILLI PROTECT MY CHILD FROM THE GROWTH AND INVASION OF
HARMFUL BACTERIA? |
In a child’s immature intestine, the immune system is not fully developed and prone to developing hypersensitive respone to invasions.
However, when beneficial intestinal microflora such as bifidobacteria and lactobacilli are present in good numbers, they help to safely stimulate, train and mature their immune response.
|
ARE BENEFICAL INTESTINAL MICROFLORA NATURALLY PRESENT IN MY CHILD’S GUT? |
In breastfed children, it is highly likely that their intestine is naturally dominated by beneficial bifidobacteria, which helps to reduce the risk of gastroenteritis, manifesting as diarrhoea, vomiting and fever.
During weaning, beneficial bifidobacteria may decrease, and harmful bacteria may increase.
|
WHAT CAN I DO TO HELP MAINTAIN BENEFICIAL INTESINAL MICROFLORA AND PROMOTE HEALTY NATURAL
DEFENCE IN MY CHILD? |
Breastmilk, which naturally contains immuno-active substances (including probiotic & bifidogenic nutrients which promote the growth of beneficial intestinal microflora) is recommended for at least the first 6 months of life, or longer if possible. Other foods that contain added probiotics include yogurt and milk.
Probiotic refers to the beneficial live bacteria, which when taken orally in adequate amount, helps promote intestinal health and reinforce your child’s natural defence. The two must common types belong to bifidobacteria and lactobacilli.
|
WHAT DOES A DIET WITH PROBIOTIC BACTERIA MEAN TO MY WEANING CHILD? |
By increasing the population of beneficial intestinal microflora, a diet with added probiotic is designed to help protect your child against potentially harmful bacteria.
EQUIPPING YOUR CHILD FOR WEANING CHALLENGES WITH BL BIFIDUS®
The main reasons for these clinic visits are acute respiratory tract infections (which may manifest as cough, flu and sore throat), followed by diarrhoea. In Malaysia, 5% of children < 5 years of age die of diarrhaoel diseases. These can be better prevented if the child has stronger immune system.
Ensuring the presence of the beneficial bifidobacteria and lactobacilli in good numbers in the diet of children can help improve balance in their intestinal microflora, thus resulting in better protection against harmful bacteria.
For this scientists at Nestlé Research Centre have cultivated BL BIFIDUS® , an active probiotic culture.
CLINICALLY PROVEN BENEFICIAL EFFECTS OF BL BIFIDUS®
- Create a healthy intestinal environment by suppressing the growth and activity of other harmful bacteria and this
leads to a digestive system.
- Enhance the body’s natural production of thus reducing the risk of diarrhoea.
If you would like to know more about childhood immunity please talk to your Healthcare Professional.
 |
Why are friendly bacteria important to us?
Our intestines house trillions of bacteria, both friendly and unfriendly. The unfriendly ones have the potential to cause stomach upset and gastrointestinal infections while friendly bacteria is beneficial to the intestinal tract. Whether we enjoy a good digestive system or are susceptible to gastrointestinal infections depends on which type of bacteria is higher in number. Therefore, a balanced population of friendly bacteria in our gut is important to ensure a good digestive system. |
|
What is this Bifidus that we often hear about?
Bifidus is an important friendly bacteria that predominates in our intestines. Studies have shown that Bifidus helps improve a beneficial intestinal environment. A good and efficient intestinal environment is essential for children to tap the goodness from their diet to sustain the everyday activities as well as for overall growth and development. |
|
How can I ensure that my child gets the wonderful benefits of Bifidus?
In fact, children already have a natural population of Bifidus in their gut. Unfortunately, this starts to dwindle during the growing years. Give your child food with added Bifidus to help him replenish his Bifidus population and build a barrier against the bad bacteria. |
|
What food contain Bifidus?
Innovative food manufacturers have added friendly bacteria to suitable foods like milk powder or cultured them in yoghurt drinks, thus enabling them to be introduced directly into the digestive system. As these foods chosen to carry the good bacteria are also nutritious, they offer both good nutrition and beneficial intestinal environment. |
|
