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How does baby poop predict my child's health? Should I eat more Omega-3's?

Does my child need to take a multivitamin every day?
Credit: JulijaDmitrijeva

Dr. Comilla Sasson is the 9NEWS Medical Expert and a practicing emergency medicine physician. She answers questions about health issues for 9NEWS.

Baby poop can predict your child's health later in life.

FACT. Researchers have found that over time, a newborn's poop has become less acidic and more alkaline from a pH of 5.0 to 6.5. When the newborn ingests milk, the Bifidobacterium bacteria break down the milk and create an acid byproduct that the newborn will expel through their poop.

The acidity can tell a lot about whether the baby has enough "good bacteria" to help break down food and keep the infant from getting diseases.

Over the course of 90+ years, researchers have found that baby poop has become more alkaline and less acidic with less of this good bacteria. Baby poop is sterile and the newborn gets bacteria from the mother, their meals and the environment. Researchers have found the first bacteria in the gut can ultimately change the way in which the baby's digestive tract forms.

It can also lead to longer-term issues like asthma, chronic inflammation and autoimmune diseases. Possible reasons for the change in the acidity of baby poop could be that more babies are getting formula rather than breast milk, having c-sections (so the bacteria the newborn usually gets during a normal delivery does not occur), or from antibiotics given to the pregnant mom during the delivery.

All in all, we are not sure exactly how this may affect children as they become adults, but it is a source of further research.

Should people eat more omega 3's?

FACT. Omega-3s are essential fatty acids your body cannot make by itself, so people must either eat these or take supplements. EPA, DHA and ALA are omega-3 fatty acids which are found in fish, especially mackerel, salmon, and sardines, as well as walnuts, flaxseed oil, chia seeds and other foods.

These are the good fats which can reduce your risk of heart disease and inflammation, and are important for your brain function and potentially depression, dementia, asthma and mood disorders. DHA is also very important for pregnant women and should be in all prenatal vitamins.

It is essential to the development of the brain and vision of the fetus. Most people in the U.S. do not eat enough omega-3s in their diet and should consider taking a supplement. The benefits of these good fats is definitely worth an extra pill every morning, or an extra few servings of fish every week. As always, consult your healthcare provider before starting any new over-the-counter medication.

Does my child need to take a multivitamin every day?

FICTION. No. In general, most children who eat a diet which has fruits, vegetables, meats, and dairy should get the majority of their nutrients from their food. Certain children who have strict diet restrictions, digestive problems, etc. may be advised to take a supplement.

On the whole, children do not need to eat a ton of vegetables and fruit to get their daily needs met for vitamins and minerals. Many foods are now fortified with vitamins and minerals, and these can be stored over time so the child does not have to eat from each food group daily. Vitamins, especially the gummy ones, can sometimes be dangerous because children see these as candy and can potentially overdose on them. So, if do you want to give your child a multivitamin, make sure you keep it out of reach so they do not eat the whole bottle.

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