Allen and her son are at the vanguard of a fast-growing business catering to health-conscious parents. Companies are offering products they said can alleviate gastrointestinal issues common in infants, and help optimize young children’s gut microbiomes.
Some scientists said that infancy can be a critical period to shape the microbiome, and potentially prevent disease and improve health later on. But microbiome researchers and pediatricians said that many of the products’ marketing is outpacing the science.
Selling baby-biotics
Tiny Health and Alba Health sell gut health tests for babies for $249 and $349, respectively. Parents send in stool samples and the companies return detailed analyses of the types and prevalence of various microbes found. The companies also offer recommendations, like giving certain supplements or bringing babies to a petting zoo, which they said can improve children’s microbiomes.
Infant formula and baby food producers are incorporating more prebiotics, which fuel beneficial gut bacteria. They also are adding probiotics, the beneficial bacteria itself.