“My son’s stomach has gotten so much better” – How gut health testing helped address Therese’s baby’s gut issues
Therese lives in the countryside of Blekinge, Sweden, with her 7-month-old son, her husband, and two dogs. As a first-time mother on maternity leave, she has her hands full with home renovations and life on the farm, surrounded by animals and nature. From day one, her son struggled with stomach issues, which quickly became a constant worry for her. Determined to find answers, she began searching for a solution to ease his discomfort and help him feel better.
“I knew something wasn’t right from day one,” she recalls. “My son was born six weeks early, and almost immediately, he started having stomach issues – constipation, pain, and crying. You hear that babies have immature intestines and that it’s normal for them to have some discomfort, but I felt in my gut that there was more to it.”
Struggling with constipation and constant crying
Her son’s stomach problems persisted.
“He was just 7 days old when we had to start giving him lactulose because of constipation,” she explains. “I couldn’t breastfeed, so after switching to formula, it seemed like the pain got worse. He was screaming constantly, and I felt so helpless. I kept thinking, ‘This can’t be normal. There has to be something we can do.’”
Desperate for answers, she turned to the internet, researching everything she could about babies’ gut health.
“I started Googling and reading about gut health and how the bacteria in your stomach can affect your whole body. That’s when I stumbled across Alba Health. At first, I wasn’t sure, but after looking at the site a few times and reading more, I became curious.”
Alba’s gut microbiome test promised something she hadn’t seen before – insights into what was actually going on in her son’s stomach, with the opportunity to make real changes.
“What really drew me in was the idea that we didn’t just have to wait it out. We actually had the chance to do something to help him.”
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An empowering experience
Once she made the decision to try Alba, the process couldn’t have been easier.
“It was all very simple – clear instructions and quick results. I loved that I got feedback at every step of the way, and when the results came in, I was excited to learn what was really going on inside my son’s gut.”
The test results gave her the answers she had been searching for.
“I was relieved and a bit surprised to see that most of his gut bacteria were in good shape, but there were definitely things that could be improved. The best part was the detailed recommendations that came with the results. I finally had clear steps to take.”
She also had the opportunity to speak with one of Alba’s Certified Nutrition & Health Coaches to go over the results in more detail.
“The coach made everything so much clearer and helped me understand exactly what we needed to change in his diet. It wasn’t overwhelming; it was just the right amount of information to feel empowered instead of lost.”
Her son's stomach issues improved
With the recommendations in hand, she started making changes to her son’s diet immediately.
“We’re much more thoughtful about what we feed him now,” she says. “We’ve cut out certain foods that were irritating his stomach and introduced others that support his gut health. I probably wouldn’t have thought of these things before. It’s been so helpful to have a plan.”
And the results have been encouraging.
“His stomach has gotten so much better, and it’s improving all the time. We’re seeing fewer episodes of pain, and he’s so much happier. That’s been the biggest relief for me – just knowing he’s not in pain anymore.”
For her, the knowledge and peace of mind gained from the experience have been invaluable.
“Before, I was constantly wondering what was wrong with my son’s stomach. I felt helpless, not knowing how to make it better. But now, I feel so much more certain about what’s going on and how to handle it. If I hadn’t done the test, I would still be questioning everything. It’s given me such peace of mind.”
Learning for the future
One of her favorite parts of the Alba experience was the opportunity to dive deeper into her understanding of gut health.
“I’ve learned so much about how the gut affects everything – not just digestion, but the immune system, even brain health. It all sounded a bit too good to be true at first, but the more I learned, the more fascinating it became. Now, I talk about it all the time with other parents.”
She has also noticed that gut health isn’t a common topic in conversations with other moms or even with healthcare providers.
“I see so many parents in online groups struggling with their babies’ stomach issues, and gut health rarely comes up. It’s something I think should be talked about more, especially in healthcare. I wish this information was more easily accessible because it really can make such a difference.”
A recommendation for other parents
Now, with her son’s stomach improving and a clearer path forward, she has become a strong advocate for gut microbiome testing.
“I honestly think it’s so worth it. If you’re a parent and your child is struggling with stomach issues, this test can give you knowledge and guidance. It’s something I recommend to everyone I talk to because it’s made such a difference for us.”
Reflecting on her journey, she emphasizes how much the experience has changed her perspective.
“I used to feel like I was just guessing when it came to my son’s health, but now I feel informed and in control. We’ll definitely be following up and testing again as he grows. It’s been such a positive experience.”
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