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My #3 did something none of the other two had done before, she was completely potty trained by age 2. However something happened. At the time we had been living in Kansas and the only milk we used was from a local farm, it was fresh,raw unpasteurized milk. Full of Earth’s goodness and perfection also full of probiotics. Now before we head off to a debate on Raw Milk and it’s dangers I want to point out the key part in all of this…the probiotics. Last December we moved from Ks to Florida a state in which the consumption of Raw Milk is not legal(should have researched that before my move) however… what I failed to realize is that my child who has always suffered food allergies was now about to get a shock to the system.
She started having accidents in her pants and completely reverted to non potty trained status.I couldn’t believe it. At first I chalked it up to the move and the fact that our lives had changed drastically, but when months went by and she still wasn’t “re potty trained” I began to get worried. I even mentioned it to her doctor who chalked it up to a strong will and said she was still young and would do it eventually. I went back to doing all the old potty training tricks of no diaper, plastic pants, you name it I tried it!
When I was at my whits end a couple of months ago I was reading an article on probiotics (Probiotics are supplements or enhanced foods that contain living microorganisms, such as yogurt with lactobacillus, that change the bacterial balance in the human body) and it hit me, what was the one thing Bummie was missing since she was potty trained last, the raw milk! Although I get it once in a while through a food coop it just isn’t enough to be a consistent factor and then I realized maybe I needed to up her probiotic intake! Bummie had been taking them already trough yogurt and kefir but maybe I needed to really make a consistent effort to make sure she was getting it. That’s when I thought about adding a Greens Powder to her routine. It’s packed with essential nutrients and digestive enzymes that could further support her gut health, alongside the probiotics. Adding it to her daily diet might give her that extra boost of overall nutrition she needs.
I began giving her religiously a dose of powdered probiotics in her morning milk and after a week I couldn’t believe the difference I saw. It’s like a light went off in her little head. She actually began using the restroom to go poo. I did nothing different on my part but I did notice one significant thing her poo was very different. Before when she had accidents it was always a loose consistency and almost grainy like she had eaten sandbox sand. However, now it was normal healthy looking poo. The reason I describe it is because I couldn’t believe the difference (remember I was washing that stinker every time she had accidents!)
Because we took away that delicious source of raw milk I didn’t realize how much probiotics I was taking away from her. Sure she drank yogurts and kefir but not to the amount in which she was receiving it with the milk she was drinking originally. I know for many kids this may not be the case and truly strong will may be a big factor in potty training.
We are two months strong on potty training and I can’t believe the difference. She gets very excited using the bathroom and I think she realizes how far we’ve come. However, this experience taught me that many times it isn’t the kids trying to be difficult (although I can completely expect that from my #2) Sometimes there is truly something in their diets that is causing them to react to their environment around them. Being a sensitivity to sugar (causing a little one to act hyper) or an allergy to glutten) We need to keep focus on what we are feeding our children and what their diets are lacking. In the end their little bodies are truly mysteries and it’s our jobs as parents to unlock them in order to help them become healthy individuals in the future.
For more info on probiotics and the AAP check out these great articles on Probiotics and Prebiotics in Children and Probiotics Preventing Cold Symptoms in children.
*The above post should not be taken as medical evidence except my own personal opinion after personal experience and research.
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This is really interesting…I never would have thought probiotics would have such a huge impact. It’s a good reminder that we (and even our doctors) often don’t fully understand the reasoning behind things. I don’t think I’d feel comfortable giving my kids raw milk, but I’d definitely look for other ways to get probiotics into their diet. Thanks.
Well done ! Drinking water might have been more useful, but hey …
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WOW… my youngest son was almost potty trained & when I ran out of probiotics, it was like a COMPLETE revert.. Thanks… stopping by out natural spot today!!!
Interesting article! It’s crazy how just missing a little something changes their little bodies. I need to do more research on this! Do you think raw milk is easier to digest??
We’re a raw milk family and I always notice when we’re lacking in those wonderful probiotics. It’s amazing how noticeable it is! My daughter is still exclusively breastfed but I give her Garden of Life Raw Probiotics for kids a few times a week.
Love using Kefir in smoothies. We don’t regularly get probiotics but maybe i should make a more concious effort for my son. He has somewhat loose stools quiet often. Maybe this would help.
I really enjoyed this post! It made me very curious as to if that could help my little one… not with potty training but with the transitioning into solids… I think I will ask my doc about that.
So interesting! We are trying to train my 2 year old son and I figured he just wasn’t ready — we may try changing his diet a bit to see if there may be more to the story! Thanks for the insight!
How interesting- I wouldn’t have thought of the probiotics thing either, but it totally makes sense.
Great article. I did want to let you know you can buy raw milk in Florida. It has to be labeled as 'pet food'. I live in north Florida and I have been able to get raw milk from a local produce stand. It's even from grass fed cows. I think there is a website you can go to and find where it is available in your area. Hope this helps.
I was looking at the poutry …. but decided just the nice flushable toilet.
I eat yogurt every day in the morning. My 7 months old watches me with great interest. I think this post is very encouraging for those who have children in the middle of their potty training. I think probiotics are fantastic for kids and adults alike!
Good idea..love the article…I am going to try this wih my dd and see if it helps with her pee accidents 🙂
This is great, I never would have thought of this! I'm doing EC with my daughter (8mo) and that will be something I'll keep in mind as we eventually make the transition away from diapers 🙂
It might. I know my kids all “poop” better when I up their probiotic intake. If I’m not mistaken you can begin giving probiotics at around 6months to help. I think I childlife says 6m and up but I could be wrong. Either way it’s a beneficial food. 🙂
I haven’t gotten to potty training yet, still at intro to solids. Do you know if probiotics can help smooth transition stools, so to speak?
I guess necessity is the mother of all inventions : ) Thankfully it’s a good habit because I know I enjoy all the yummy probiotics out there.
I was at my whits end with potty training after our set back and it made perfect sense the more I read. I have even started incorporating it to my own diet.
I never even thought about the probiotics having an effect on the consistency of the #2, but it makes complete sense… think of the activia commercials here and realize that if the probiotics in activia can make that big of a difference in the digestive system for an adult, it can certainly help with the digestive system of a kid. Thank you for the information and the light in my brain!
I completely agree with this article on the importance of probiotics in your diet but for some reason I never really thought about the importance of incorporating it in my sons diet. I will be adding it to his diet! Potty training was difficult and now its night time training we are still working on.
Sometimes a little probiotics is all they need 🙂
It was so amazing to see the difference. I think we don’t (as a society) incorporate probiotics as much as we should in our daily lives and I think it really has to do with a lot of the issues many of us suffer.
I think foods we eat can affect so much of our daily life. Some people are blessed with no issues (like my #1 ) but it seems my 3 hasn’t had that luck! 🙁
We’ve been having issues potty training our son and have realized he need to eat high fiber and probiotics to remain regular which helps a lot with he going consistently.
What an interesting post! I’m a huge supporter of probiotics and most people just aren’t getting it with the standard American diet. I know this isn’t a scientific study, but you certainly can’t deny the difference you saw in such a short time! Baby#1 is due for me in Dec and I most certainly plan on giving her probiotic foods. And with the possibility of easier potty training its a must!
i didnt kniw what you eat or drink could effect potty training. I got it easy with a kid i babysit, potty trainef easy