Friendly Micro-organisms Promote Proper Digestion and Nutrition in Babies

As in one of our posts, MiGS has had problems with spit-ups and gas. The wonderful staff at Valley Health Mill has suggested using Udo’s Choice Infant’s Probiotic Dietary Supplement. It is an all-natural supplement that:

• Contains 7 infant & toddler-specific bacterial strains at an appropriate strength, designed specifically to reflect healthy infant microflora
• Provides B. infantis, the most important micro-organism in the large intestine of babies & toddlers
• Facilitates healthy weight gain in infants
• Powder format has been designed to be added to formula, water or other liquid after it has been heated
• Contains 2 billion viable/active cells
• More importantly, promotes better food digestion and nutrition

This supplement provides the “friendly” microorganisms (probiotics) that help protect us from “unfriendly” ones such as bacteria, yeasts, and fungi that cause disease. They also improve immune system function. Such probiotics come from many natural primary sources.

During birth, probiotics from the mother's birth canal colonize the infant's gut (unless the baby is delivered via C-Section like MiGS), and thereafter are provided by mother's milk. After infancy, probiotics are supplied to us by raw foods (grown on uncontaminated soil); lactic acid bacteria-fermented foods such as yogurt and cheese; and probiotic supplements like this product.

On Feeding: Introducing Solid Food

MiGS is now 4 months old. According to our pediatrician, we can start introducing solid food to MiGS. She advised that we start with simple pureed food and see how he reacts to it.

Solid food can be introduced between 4 and 6 months. We thought we should wait a while longer though it looks like he's about ready now.

Here are some important things to know before you introduce solid food to your baby.

• your baby is strong enough to hold his/her head upright
• your baby can sit up long enough so he/she can swallow what you give him/her
• your baby's swallowing reflex is evident 
• always check with your pediatrician before you introduce any sort of solid food
• make sure that you introduce a single item first to see his/her reaction
• avoid feeding with anything that contains peanuts. Your baby may not have allergies but it's better safe than sorry. You need to wait until he/she is two years old
• breast milk is still best for babies

Here's an interesting article from BabyCenter that provides more information on how to know when your baby is ready for solid food. Introducing Solid Food | BabyCenter..

On Feeding: Breastmilk is Still Best for Babies

Every parent always wants to give the best to their child, at least the best that they can afford. But there is also a saying that the best things in life are free. And there is nothing better and more free than breastmilk for babies.



As first time parents we had some difficulty feeding MiGS with breastmilk. Even at the hospital, MiGS had a lot of trouble latching properly to Mommy’s breast. Mommy, not getting enough stimulation and being a first time mom, did not readily produce enough milk.


So we had to give MiGS Similac Advance formula for most of his early days. He did get some breastmilk but not as much as we wanted. Mommy had to do a lot pumping to help stimulate milk production.

Motherlove More Milk Plus

At one point, our baby’s pediatrician advised us to use a supplement called More Milk Plus by Motherlove. It’s a herbal supplement to quickly increase breast milk for breastfeeding mothers. Since then, Mommy has been using this and according to her, it really helps. Specially now that MiGS is almost feeding on mostly breastmilk.

We buy this from the local community health food store in the Pleasanton, CA area, Valley Health Mill, where you can find all natural and organic remedies and supplements. They are located at:

Valley Health Mill
in Pleasanton, CA

3037-J Hopyard Road

Pleasanton, CA 94588

Phone: (925) 462-9354