Vegan Probiotics For Babies And Toddlers

This weekend, my daughter got her first ear infection (insert crying face here). While I’m relieved that the antibiotics prescribed to her have helped, it’s really done a number on her digestion.

This got me wondering are there vegan probiotics available for babies and toddlers? What foods should my child be eating to restore the natural balance in her gut?

Never fear, friends. Here are some foods and products that will help your little one’s tummy after antibiotics.

Eat a diet rich in fruits and vegetables. If you’re vegan, this is surely a staple in your family’s diet.

Bananas, blueberries, and cruciferous veggies like broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, and kale can help heal your kiddo's gut bacteria. Other beneficial veggies include artichokes, asparagus, onions, and leeks.

1. Eat your beans. Again, this might be a no-brainer. But beans are important because they, “help release short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) that strengthen your intestine cells [and] improve absorption of micro-nutrients…”  Meghan Jardine elaborates in her article entitled ‘Seven Foods to Supercharge Your Gut Bacteria’, “Beans feed good gut bugs, which in turn revs up your immune system. Calorie for calorie, beans offer the most nutritional bang for your buck. They are packed with fiber, protein, folate, and B vitamins, which play a role in regulating a healthy gut and a healthy brain.” Beans, beans, the magical fruit indeed!
2. Fermented foods are your friends. Tempeh and miso paste are great ways to enhance your baby’s tummy bugs, and they’re super easy to incorporate into weekday meals. I learned about miso soup from Alicia Silverstone’s book, “The Kind Diet”, and have been obsessed ever since. My daughter loves it, too!  We also make tempeh mushroom tacos at least once a week. Meghan Jardine writes, “Fermented plant-based foods are probiotics that have been found to improve the health of the intestinal cells, improve immune function, decrease allergies, reduce the risk of colon cancer, and treat diarrhea.” (Honestly, if you’re a food nerd like I am, read Meghan’s article, it’s fascinating and informative!)
3. Supplement with a vegan probiotic. Something I didn’t know until recently is that most probiotics are not vegan-friendly. The brand NOVA has created dairy-free, vegan probiotics for babies and toddlers that can help improve their immune systems and replenish good bacteria to get your child’s digestion back on track. 
4. Play outside and with animals. Letting your kid roll around in the dirt is great for their bacterial diversity, and playing with animals can also improve it. So encourage stomping in mud puddles and getting messy. Taking them to a local animal shelter or sanctuary can also be an educational experience and help them heal from their gut troubles, too!

I hope these ideas can help your kiddo! Was there anything you did to improve your child’s digestion after antibiotics? I’d love to hear what worked for you!