Kiddipedia
As parents, we spend a lot of time trying to protect our children from germs. We remind them to wash their hands, wipe down surfaces, cover coughs and stay away from anyone who is sick. Keeping children healthy is part of everyday parenting.
But what if some of those microscopic organisms we spend so much time trying to avoid are actually helping our children thrive?
The truth is, not all bacteria are bad. In fact, many bacteria play a vital role in supporting your child’s health, helping everything from digestion and immune function to overall well-being.
Scientists are now discovering that the trillions of microbes living in and on our bodies form an incredibly important ecosystem known as the microbiome. While research into the microbiome is still evolving, it is increasingly recognised as one of the most exciting areas of modern health science.
Understanding how your child’s microbiome develops—and the simple ways you can support it—may help lay foundations for lifelong health.
Why the Microbiome Matters More Than Ever
Many Australian parents are noticing an increase in health challenges affecting children, including allergies, eczema, asthma, digestive complaints and food intolerances.
While there is no single cause behind these conditions, researchers are investigating the role the microbiome may play in supporting healthy immune development and reducing inflammation.
According to Australian researchers, the first few years of life represent a critical window for microbiome development. During this time, the microbes that colonise a child’s body help educate the immune system, influence digestive function and may even play a role in how the body responds to environmental exposures later in life.
This doesn’t mean parents need to become microbiome experts overnight. However, understanding a few simple principles can help support your child’s health in practical and achievable ways.
You Can’t Avoid Bacteria—And That’s Actually a Good Thing
You can’t avoid bacteria. These hardy, single-celled microorganisms are found in virtually every habitat on Earth. They live in soil, oceans, forests, rivers, deserts and even snow-covered mountains.
They’re also all over you and your child.
Your little one may look completely clean and fresh after a bath—probably the only time that happens—but their body is still home to trillions of microorganisms.
For many years, scientists believed there were ten bacterial cells for every human cell in the body. More recent research suggests the ratio is much closer to one-to-one, highlighting just how interconnected we are with the microbes that live alongside us.
Even the most hygiene-conscious parent couldn’t remove all of these microbes.
Thankfully, you don’t need to.
While some bacteria can cause illness, the overwhelming majority of microbes that live on healthy children are either harmless or beneficial. Many actively support important functions throughout the body.
What Is the Microbiome?
The microbiome refers to the collection of bacteria, viruses, fungi and other microorganisms that live on and inside the human body.
Think of it as your child’s own microscopic ecosystem.
These microbes live on the skin, in the mouth, throughout the respiratory tract and, most importantly, inside the digestive system.
The gut contains the largest concentration of microbes in the body, which is why the term gut microbiome is commonly used.
Far from being passive passengers, these microbes are constantly interacting with the body. Researchers have found they help:
- Train and regulate the immune system
- Break down certain foods
- Produce beneficial compounds
- Protect against harmful microbes
- Support digestive health
- Influence inflammation levels
- Communicate with the brain through the gut-brain axis
The microbiome begins developing from birth and continues to mature throughout early childhood, with some scientists suggesting many of the foundational microbial communities are established by around three years of age.
The First Microbes Your Baby Meets
One of the most fascinating discoveries in microbiome science is that a child’s microbial journey begins from the moment they enter the world.
During a vaginal birth, babies are exposed to microbes from their mother’s birth canal and surrounding environment. Babies born via caesarean section are exposed to a different set of microbes, including those found on the skin and in the hospital environment.
Research suggests these early differences may influence the initial development of the microbiome, although many factors continue to shape microbial diversity throughout childhood.
Importantly, birth method is only one piece of a much bigger puzzle. Feeding practices, family environment, exposure to nature, diet and overall lifestyle continue to influence microbiome development long after birth.
Meet the Good Bacteria
A healthy microbiome contains hundreds of different species of microorganisms.
Two of the most well-known groups are:
Lactobacillus
Often found in the digestive system, urinary tract and other areas of the body, Lactobacillus species help maintain microbial balance and support digestive health.
Bifidobacterium
One of the dominant groups of bacteria found in the digestive tract, Bifidobacterium species are especially abundant during infancy and play an important role in breaking down certain carbohydrates and supporting gut health.
Together, these and many other microbes contribute to a diverse and resilient microbiome.
Breastfeeding and the Microbiome
Breastmilk provides much more than nutrition.
It contains specialised compounds called human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs), which act as prebiotics. Rather than feeding the baby directly, these compounds feed beneficial bacteria living in the infant gut.
Researchers have identified hundreds of different HMOs in breastmilk, helping encourage the growth of beneficial microbes such as Bifidobacteria.
Breastfeeding offers many potential benefits for microbiome development and infant health.
However, every family’s feeding journey is different. Whether breastfeeding, formula feeding or combination feeding, parents should feel supported rather than judged. Many factors contribute to a child’s health and wellbeing.
The Gut-Brain Connection: Can Gut Health Influence Mood?
One of the most exciting areas of microbiome research is the relationship between the gut and the brain.
Scientists refer to this communication network as the gut-brain axis.
The gut and brain are constantly sending messages to one another through nerves, hormones and chemical signals produced by gut microbes.
Researchers are currently investigating how the microbiome may influence:
- Emotional regulation
- Stress responses
- Sleep quality
- Behaviour
- Cognitive development
While many questions remain unanswered, early findings suggest the microbiome may play a broader role in health than previously imagined.
Fibre: The Unsung Hero of Gut Health
If there is one nutrient that deserves more attention when it comes to microbiome health, it’s fibre.
Unlike many nutrients that are absorbed earlier in digestion, fibre travels to the large intestine where it becomes food for beneficial gut bacteria.
When bacteria ferment fibre, they produce compounds called short-chain fatty acids, which help support gut health and may contribute to healthy immune function.
Some excellent fibre-rich foods include:
- Apples
- Pears
- Berries
- Oats
- Wholegrain breads
- Brown rice
- Sweet potato
- Lentils
- Chickpeas
- Beans
- Vegetables
The greater the variety of plant foods a child eats, the greater the variety of microbes they are likely to support.
Why Dirt Can Be Good for Kids
Modern childhood often involves less outdoor play than previous generations.
However, spending time in nature exposes children to a rich diversity of environmental microbes.
Researchers studying the biodiversity hypothesis suggest regular interaction with natural environments may help support microbial diversity and healthy immune development.
This doesn’t mean encouraging unsafe hygiene practices.
Rather, it means recognising the value of:
- Playing in the backyard
- Digging in the garden
- Exploring bushland
- Visiting parks
- Walking barefoot on grass
- Engaging with the natural world
Sometimes a little dirt under the fingernails can be part of healthy childhood exploration.
Can Pets Help Build a Healthy Microbiome?
If your family has a dog or cat, you may already be benefiting from an unexpected source of microbial diversity.
Studies have found that households with pets often contain a wider variety of environmental microbes.
When children interact with pets, they are naturally exposed to some of these microbes as well.
Researchers continue to explore whether early-life pet exposure may contribute to microbiome diversity and immune development.
While pets are certainly not prescribed as a health intervention, they may provide more than companionship and muddy pawprints.
What Can Disrupt the Microbiome?
The microbiome is remarkably adaptable, but certain factors may influence its composition.
These include:
Antibiotic Use
Antibiotics play a critical role in treating bacterial infections and can be lifesaving when needed.
However, they can also affect beneficial bacteria alongside harmful ones.
Parents should always follow medical advice regarding antibiotic use.
Diet Quality
Diets low in fibre and high in heavily processed foods may provide fewer nutrients for beneficial gut microbes.
Reduced Nature Exposure
Less contact with natural environments may reduce opportunities for microbial diversity.
Chronic Stress
Emerging research suggests stress may influence the gut-brain axis and microbiome composition.
Five Simple Ways to Support Your Child’s Microbiome
✔ Offer a wide variety of fruits and vegetables
✔ Include fibre-rich foods every day
✔ Encourage outdoor play and nature exploration
✔ Introduce age-appropriate fermented foods such as yoghurt with live cultures
✔ Follow healthcare advice regarding antibiotics and overall health management
Where Do Probiotics Fit In?
Probiotics are live microorganisms that may provide health benefits when consumed in adequate amounts.
They are different from prebiotics, which are the fibres that feed beneficial bacteria.
For some families, probiotic supplements may be one complementary way to support a healthy intestinal microbiome.
Life-Space Probiotic Powder for Children
Life-Space Probiotic Powder for Children contains 15 strains of beneficial bacteria and is formulated to support a healthy intestinal microbiome and general health and wellbeing in children aged 3–12 years.
Always read the label and follow the directions for use. Supplements should not replace a balanced diet.
Key Takeaway
As parents, it’s natural to focus on protecting our children from germs. But modern science is teaching us that some of the tiniest organisms around us may also be among the most important.
By supporting a healthy microbiome through nutritious foods, outdoor play, diverse experiences and healthy lifestyle habits, we can help nurture an invisible ecosystem that contributes to our children’s growth, development and wellbeing for years to come.
References:
Microbiology Society. (n.d.). What is bacteria? Microbiology Society. https://microbiologysociety.org/why-microbiology-matters/what-is-microbiology/bacteria.html
Science Magazine. (2020). Microbiome and human health research findings. Science Advances. https://advances.sciencemag.org/content/6/42/eaba2578
Microbiome Journal. (2017). The human microbiome and its role in health. Microbiome. https://microbiomejournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s40168-017-0254-x
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW). (2023). Asthma and allergic conditions in Australia. https://www.aihw.gov.au
Australian Breastfeeding Association. (2023). Breastfeeding and infant health information. https://www.breastfeeding.asn.au
Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care. (2023). Antibiotic use and antimicrobial stewardship. https://www.safetyandquality.gov.au
Australian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy (ASCIA). (2023). Antibiotics and immune health. https://www.allergy.org.au
Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO). (2023–2024). Nutrition, gut health and microbiome research. https://www.csiro.au
Murdoch Children’s Research Institute (MCRI). (2024). Early life immune development and microbiome research. https://www.mcri.edu.au
National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC). (2013, updated guidance). Australian dietary guidelines. https://www.nhmrc.gov.au
Monash University. (2024). Gut-brain axis and microbiome neuroscience research. https://www.monash.edu
