5 Common Childhood Health Issues & The One Thing They All Have in Common
As a mum and naturopath, I’ve witnessed firsthand how a child’s gut health can be the epicenter of common issues ranging from eczema to behavioural outbursts.
When you're deep in the trenches of motherhood, trying to soothe itching skin, calm meltdowns, or figure out what foods are “safe” for your child, it’s easy to feel like you’re constantly chasing symptoms. You’re doing everything you can—and yet nothing seems to stick.
It’s overwhelming. It’s anxiety-inducing. And it’s exhausting.
But what if there was a deeper thread connecting it all?
Yes, I’m talking about GUT HEALTH again…
I know it may sound unexpected when you’re knee-deep in sleep deprivation or navigating yet another flare-up - but many of these common childhood concerns trace back to underlying gut imbalances. In my experience - both with my own children and the families I support - healing begins in the gut and ripples outward into every area of a child’s wellbeing.
The Gut is the foundation to Health
Children are growing rapidly. Their bodies are learning to adapt to their environment, and the gut is central to this process. When that foundation is shaky, it shows up in a range of ways:
Eczema – Ongoing skin irritation often linked to immune dysregulation and gut barrier issues.
Food intolerances – Signals of a compromised gut lining or low microbial diversity.
Sleep issues – Tied to poor melatonin production and a strained gut-brain connection.
Constipation or loose stools – Influenced by motility and nerve signalling, both regulated by gut flora.
Behavioural challenges – Mood swings, anxiety, and reactivity often connected to gut inflammation and nutrient malabsorption.
You’re not failing. You’re just starting in the wrong place.
What disrupts gut health in children?
So many modern factors can interfere with the balance of a child’s microbiome—birth history (like C-section or lack of early skin-to-skin), antibiotic or other medication use, poor diet diversity, stress, environmental toxins, and even heavy metals from water or environment. These issues can slowly wear down the gut’s integrity, leaving your child more vulnerable to skin flare-ups, food reactions, behavioural shifts, or immune challenges.
Instead of managing symptoms in isolation, we begin at the root: the gut. From here, true healing becomes possible and sustainable.
Healing Doesn’t Have to Mean Overhauling Your Life
One of the biggest fears I hear from parents considering naturopathic support is this:
“I can’t completely change everything we eat and do right now—it feels too hard, too expensive, and too overwhelming.”
And I get it. Life is already full.
But here’s the truth: supporting your child’s gut health doesn’t always mean uprooting your entire diet or routine. My approach isn’t about restriction for the sake of it—it’s about restoring balance in a way that feels doable and sustainable for your family.
Sometimes, yes, we may need to temporarily remove certain inflammatory foods to allow the gut to heal. But even then, we do it with intention—and with a clear plan to reintroduce them when the time is right. Unless a food is genuinely causing harm, the goal is not to eliminate it forever.
This isn’t about perfection or panic. It’s about building resilience, one step at a time.
In my own family, we found healing not through extreme changes, but working in stages.
Starting at the gut, making supportive tweaks, and giving the body space to reset. The changes were powerful—but they were also practical. And that’s what I offer to the families I work with, too.
This is why I use microbiome analysis in clinic—it gives us a clear map of what’s happening inside, so we can repair from the root, not just patch symptoms on the surface.
The Role of Microbiome Analysis
Microbiome testing has been a game-changer in my practice. It offers detailed insights into:
Beneficial microbes - what’s thriving and what’s missing
Potential pathogens or inflammation markers that need to be addressed to make room for healing.
Gut barrier integrity and overall digestive health to optimise digestion and absorption of your key nutrients.
By understanding these factors, we can tailor interventions such as targeted probiotic support, dietary adjustments, and specific herbs and nutrients to nurture a balanced gut environment. This means that rather than blanket food eliminations, we adopt a supportive, strategic approach to reintroduce foods as soon as it’s safe.
Support Options for Your Family
If you’re tired of the trial-and-error approach and want to understand the root of your child’s health issues, I’m here to help. I offer:
Child Initial Consultation: A comprehensive review of your child’s health history and a personalized naturopathic plan.
Child Gut Health Package: An in-depth microbiome test followed by a guided plan to rebalance and heal from within.
Mother and Child Packages: To support both the child's needs as well as the mothers capacity to deliver the care and attention required.
Let’s work together to build resilience and health, starting at the gut. Book your consultation now and start your families journey towards a healthier, happier life.