Optimizing Bowel Health Can Make Potty Training Easier

One of the most important things you can do to ensure a successful potty training experience – especially if your child has ever had any issues with constipation or aversions to pooping in the past – is to make sure they are pooping regularly and comfortably for a while before deciding to remove diapers.

So I’m always on the lookout for the best products that can support bowel health and make pooping easier and more comfortable for our kiddos. I’ve talked before about how helpful probiotics can be, but a company that I recently partnered with, Seed, has really changed the game and set a super high standard for the probiotic industry.

The probiotic market has become increasingly popular over the years and it has resulted in a lot of misconception of what a probiotic actually is and how it works. Did you know that probiotics (even the ones for kids) aren’t regulated by the FDA? That means that any company can sell something saying it’s a probiotic without ever having to prove its safe or effective! The simple fact is, most things being sold as probiotics – everything from yogurt to kombucha to pillowcases - aren’t actually probiotics by scientific definition. True probiotics are live microorganisms that result in a health benefit to the host (us) when administered in adequate amounts.

Bacteria is...good?!

In short, probiotics are bacteria. Many people think of bacteria as being a bad thing, but actually without bacteria, humankind wouldn’t be able to exist. 99% of bacteria is actually harmless or even beneficial to humans, including the ones that live in and on us. The human microbiome alone contains 38 trillion bacteria! Most are found in the gut, but there are plenty in our mouths, on our skin, and in our vaginas as well.

Every species of probiotic bacteria is made up of different strains – and each strain has a different job to do and interacts with the cells and bacteria in your body in a different way. That’s why it is important that every strain be clinically or scientifically studied in humans to evaluate its benefits. This is largely where Seed’s PDS-08™ Pediatric Daily Synbiotic stands above the rest. Even though it isn’t required, Seed has done loads of clinical testing – on a pediatric population in humans – to be sure they are using the best strains of both pre and probiotics to promote gut health.

What makes Seed stand out?

Their 2-in-1 daily synbiotic combines 9 clinically studied probiotic strains along with a prebiotic blend of fructooligosaccharides (FOS) and inulin – two forms of soluble dietary fiber that have prebiotic action in the body. Each dose contains 5 grams of fiber which we all know is something that can be really challenging to be sure your child is getting enough of in their diet. That’s the equivalent of 1.7 bananas or 1.1 cups of broccoli! It is formulated for kids ages 3 to 17 and is soy free, dairy free, sugar free, corn free, nut free, gluten free, sesame free, shellfish free, allergen free, and vegan.

Unlike most probiotics, the strains found in Seed’s PDS-08™ are protected by a lipid-coating microencapsulation system that helps to prevent the bacteria from being broken down during digestion via stomach acids, digestive enzymes, and bile salts to ensure you get all the benefits. Additionally, PDS-08™ supports the production of short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) in the lower gut. SCFAs are powerful little compounds that promote gut health in a multitude of different ways. They provide an intestinal barrier helping to protect you from pathogens and to absorb nutrients, they aid in mucus production lubricating the colon, and they protect against local inflammation just to name a few. What does all that mean? Healthy, comfortable poops!

PDS-08™ also supports the growth of good bacteria – Bifidobacterium – which can maintain and support overall digestive and immune function. So not only does it make pooping easier, but it can also support skin and respiratory health too!

A 12-week clinical trial for PDS-08™ in children showed no signs of GI distress which can be common with other fiber supplements or laxatives, meaning it is well tolerated and easy on your child’s gut. Now remember, PDS-08™ is not a fiber supplement or laxative. PDS-08™ comes as an odorless, tasteless powder in premeasured sachets that can be easily mixed into cold drinks, yogurt, applesauce, or room temperature oatmeal. That makes it super easy for kids to get the full dose so they can take advantage of all the amazing benefits. And the BacTrac™ container – which is made of totally sustainable materials - will help you to remember to give your child their daily dose.

I’m not necessarily saying that this is a cure for constipation, but PDS-08™ has been clinically shown to support frequent, healthy bowel movements in kids who had fewer than 5 bowel movements per week. It also supports healthy poop regularity among non-constipated kids without overdoing it and causing excessive bowel movements.

Learn more, including their clinical trial findings, at Seed and be sure to use code ALLISON30 for 30% off your first month’s supply. If you’ve been wanting to move away from Miralax to something that is going to support the health of your child’s microbiome with similar results, Seed’s PDS-08™ could be your answer.