A recent study reported in the New York Times found that colicky babies had gastrointestinal inflammation in the gut and traces of a bacterium that would have promoted it.  Babies without colic had no inflammation and a greater diversity of beneficial bacteria.

About 20 percent of all babies suffer from colic, and it can stem from several different causes – hormones in milk, allergies, even stress in the womb.  But scientists are now zeroing in on relief.  A study conducted by the National Institutes of Health in 2009, found a direct correlation between the symptoms of colic and fewer strains of microflora in their intestines.

Likewise, a 2007 study by Italian researchers examined 83 colicky, breast-fed babies.  Over a 28-day period, some infants were given simethicone to reduce gas, while the others were given a supplement containing L. reuteri, a beneficial bacteria often found in yogurt.  At the end of the study, the babies who got the probiotic cried an average of only 51 minutes a day, compared with 2 ½ hours for the other babies in the group.

What should you look for in a probiotic for fussy infants?

Ideally, it should contain four billion active cultures per gram, and be a healthy mix of Bifidobacteria and Lactobacillus.  It should also contain five viable strains of beneficial bacteria, including essential B. infantis.  Finally, it should be able to mix easily with formula, juice, milk or other liquids, and have a pleasant taste.

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It’s no big secret that children are picky eaters. If chicken nuggets and mac-n-cheese were on the menu every day, how easy parents’ lives would be. But a diet high in processed and refined foods, and low in fruits and veggies has far reaching consequences, especially on little bodies.

First, the more children don’t eat fruits and veggies, the more likely they’ll not want to eat them later in life.

Second, a diet low in fruits and veggies means a diet low in many nutrients and fiber.

Third, when children don’t eat enough fruits and veggies, they get constipated.

A recent study found that primary school children who didn’t like fruits and vegetables were 13 times more likely to develop functional constipation than children who did like fruits and veggies. As a parent, you might not even realize your child is constipated. Maybe your children are in school or day care, so you can’t keep track of every potty break. Ask about their bowel movements. At least one healthy bowel movement daily (quantity counts!) is an indication that they are not constipated.

Studies are finding that constipation in children is increasing. This is largely due to dietary habits, including water intake. Children who drank less than 400mL (13.5 ounces) of fluid daily were also more likely to be constipated.

Be persistent in trying new veggies from time to time. Children’s tastes change, and often, a veggie that was detested last month seems to go down without a hitch the next. For the pickiest of eaters, there are many recipes out there that help you “hide” the veggies by adding them to other foods in stealthy ways. You may even find yourself trying new veggies by using these tricks.

In addition, a fiber supplement can help increase stool bulk and promote bowel regularity. Look for a great tasting fruit and veggie fiber that can be mixed into a smoothie or added to juice.

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