Happy Bellies, Happy Brains
By Dr. Julie Sweeney, Integrative Pediatrician at SproutWell
Happy Bellies, Happy Brains:
How the Gut-Brain Connection Can Support Your Child’s Mood and Focus
If your child seems more irritable after a sugar-filled birthday party… or suddenly calmer after a week of home-cooked meals, that’s not just a coincidence. Science continues to show that what’s happening in your child’s belly can have a big impact on their brain.
This is called the gut-brain connection, and it's a fascinating, growing field of research that helps explain why digestion, mood, immunity, and even focus are all linked. Your child’s gut is home to trillions of microbes that make up the gut microbiome. Nurturing it may help support better behavior, fewer meltdowns, and clearer thinking.
So, what can you do as a parent? Here are a few simple, powerful ways to nourish your child’s gut and, in turn, support their brain and emotional well-being:
Feed the Rainbow
The good bugs in your child’s gut love colorful fruits and vegetables. Each color brings different phytonutrients and fibers that help grow a diverse microbiome. The more variety the better! Try this:
- Let your child pick a new color to “hunt” for at the farmers market
- Add avocado, frozen cauliflower or spinach to smoothies
- Serve fruits and veggies in fun shapes or on skewers
Get Dirty
Spending time outside, especially in natural environments like gardens, farms, and forests, helps expose your child to beneficial microbes that support immunity and gut health.
- Let them go barefoot in the grass
- Visit a pick-your-own farm and talk about where food comes from
- Grow herbs or lettuce in pots on your porch or windowsill
Prioritize Sleep and Play
Good gut health isn’t just about food. Sleep, movement, and unstructured play all help reduce stress, regulate digestion, and support the gut-brain axis.
- Stick to consistent sleep and wake times
- Encourage active play outdoors, not just structured sports
- Leave time for creative, unstructured imaginative play
Consider the Right Supplements – with Guidance
Probiotics and certain nutrients like vitamin D and omega-3s may be helpful for some children, but it's important to personalize these choices. Always talk to your child’s pediatrician or a pediatric specialist trained in integrative medicine before starting any supplements. Supplements for kids require different dosing than those for adults and should be used under the guidance of a physician or registered dietician.
We all want to help our kids feel calm, focused, and resilient. Supporting their gut health is one of the most natural places to start and the earlier you start, the better!
*This article was published in Darien New Canaan Lifestyle Magazine (August 2025)
Dr. Julie Sweeney is an integrative board-certified pediatrician in Darien, CT. Her practice, SproutWell Pediatric Integrative Medicine, offers thoughtful, personalized specialty care for families who would like to add a more holistic approach to their child’s health care.