Lovebug Tiny Tummies Probiotic
Lovebug Tiny Tummies Probiotic is specifically formulated for infants and promotes a specific serving size for babies with colic. This infant probiotic includes a combination of three strains: lactobacillus rhamnosus, bifidobacterium lactis, lactobacillus infantis.
They also add prebiotic fiber. Prebiotic fibers are nondigestible, insoluble fibers that serve as food sources for probiotic bacteria. Adding prebiotic fiber may help improve gastric-emptying. Lovebug notes they manufacture their probiotics in facilities that are GMP certified through NSF, a third-party organization that independently tests the products for certain quality and safety standards.
- Type: Powder
- Dosage/day: 1 stick pack, may increase to 2 packs for colicky babies
- Dietary Considerations: Dairy-free, gluten-free, non-GMO, Allergen free
- Clinical studies using the final formulation: No
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Do Probiotics Or Prebiotics Help With Colic
Caregivers looking for ways to ease or prevent colic in their little ones may find some relief in adding probiotic supplements or foods to babys diet. While theres no definitive answer to what causes colic, it may be linked to gastrointestinal issuesmany of which are helped by the addition of healthy gut bacteria.
How To Choose The Most Popular Probiotics For Babies
The three most crucial criteria to consider are price, quality, and popularity.Price is an obvious factor to consider, as you want to ensure it is acceptable for your needs.Quality should also be examined because buying a low-quality goods will not help you achieve your main aim of obtaining the best product.Finally, while not as obvious as price or quality, popularity can be just as significant as both when it comes to attracting new customers.
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Why Babies Benefit From Probiotics
Probiotics for babiesexplained!
Parenthood may be one of the most challenging times of your lifeespecially in your babys early months, when both of you are trying to figure out and navigate your new worlds. Youre on a day-to-day learning curve. And, Google may have become your best friend during late night feedings. Yet, while its helpful to have so much information at your fingertips, you can easily get bombarded with the amount of online opinions about which trends you should try. Case in point: infant probiotics. Theyve gained significant traction and praise in recent years. But, how do you even know if theyre actually worth giving a shot? To help you decide, were here to dig into probiotics for babies.
Keep reading to learn what probiotics are, potential probiotics benefits, and how incorporating infant probiotics into your daily routine may help promote your babys health. After all, no one likes the feeling of an upset stomachand understanding babies tummy troubles is our specialty.
What Are Different Types Of Prebiotics
There are several types of prebiotics. The majority of the prebiotics are a subset of carbohydrate group called oligosaccharide. The following are the different variations of oligosaccharides that work as prebiotics .
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Are Probiotics Safe For Infants
Studies show that probiotics are not only safe, but very effective in reducing daily crying time, spit up, and constipation during the first three months of life.
Probiotics or prebiotics added to infant formula and other foods marketed for use in children do not appear to be harmful to healthy infants and children. AAP
Still, it is very important to talk to your pediatrician before giving baby anything but breast milk.
Probiotics For Babies: The Bottom Line
Probiotics for babies may be useful for helping with diarrhea, colic, and constipation. But we dont yet know for sure.
If youre breastfeeding and taking probiotics at the same time, your baby can get a probiotic boost through your milk. And as soon as your little one is ready for solid foods, they can get all the probiotics they need from them.
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Benefits Of Probiotics For Kids
The benefits of probiotics for kids are the same as many of those for adults, including digestive and immune support. However, probiotics do not appear to be as beneficial for constipation in kids as they do with adults . Other areas where probiotics provide benefits for kids include:
- Diarrhea
- Skin health
- Lactose tolerance
Now, lets take a closer look at some of the most significant studies on probiotics for kids.
How To Choose The Best Probiotic For Your Child
Looking for the right probiotic for your child doesnt have to be an arduous task. Youre looking for the same guarantees of quality that you would look for in any other dietary supplement or a probiotic for yourself.
- A variety of species: Find a multi-strain probiotic. Research tells us that, in general, probiotics with multiple strains confer greater health benefits than single strain formulas.
- A CFU count in the billions: There is no set dose, but the colony-forming units should be in the billions. For children, 10 billion CFUs was recommended in one literature review .
- No added fillers: Leave out the preservatives, artificial sweeteners, and dyes. If you do choose a flavored probiotic chewable or probiotic gummies, try to find one that has real fruit juice, like berry flavor from real berries.
Similar to multivitamins or other supplements, you can also find certifications for gluten-free and dairy-free products, if that is a concern.
Many probiotic brands also offer prebiotics, which provide fuel for the probiotics to flourish once they have been consumed.
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Should You Give Your Child Probiotics
Parents might assume that even if probiotics don’t help, they aren’t likely to be harmful. The American Academy of Family Physicians states that probiotics do appear to be safe for healthy children.
However, there are many types and strains of probiotics to choose from, and the dosages can vary widely between supplements. It can be hard to figure out how much to take as well as how often to take them.
Here are some things to keep in mind when deciding whether to give your kids probiotic supplements:
- They are not regulated by the FDA, making it virtually impossible to know if the label accurately describes what is in the products.
- Although probiotics appear to be an effective treatment for the conditions listed above , there is much we still don’t know about which strains and dosages are the most effective.
- There is no proven benefit to giving healthy kids probiotics regularly, and they are not approved bythe FDA as a treatment for any specific disease or condition, according to the AAFP.
- Gas and bloating are the most common side effects of probiotic supplements. While not harmful, these side effects can be uncomfortable.
A healthy and safe choice is to give your child a serving of yogurt daily or include other probiotic-rich foods in your family’s meals. Look for a statement on the label that the food contains “live and active cultures.” These foods will provide good bacteria to support a healthy immune system without the risk of side effects.
The Benefits Of Probiotics
Theyre especially helpful for diarrhea or constipation both of which are common for kids, especially during potty training. Probiotics may help ease some of the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome and inflammatory bowel disease as well.
Children already taking antibiotics can benefit from probiotics, too. Antibiotics can cause stomach pain, constipation or diarrhea, and probiotics can ease these side effects. But not all probiotics are effective while taking antibiotics, so talk to your childs pediatrician or pharmacist about which probiotic is best for your child.
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Probiotics Your Infant + Toddler Need
B.Bifidum: one of the first strains to colonize in the babys intestines may help build immunity and eliminate eczema.
B. Infantis: helps with immunity and reduces inflammation as the bacteria crowds the gut and makes it inhospitable to foreign invaders to populate it.
L. Rheuteri: this strain is commonly found in probiotics as studies have shown that is helps treat colic and reflux.
Mommys Bliss Gripe Water
If your LO is crying from colic, Mommys Bliss Gripe Water is a gentle formula that works quickly to remedy pain. This pediatrician-approved gripe water contains 100 percent vegan ingredients, including organic ginger and fennel. The herbal mixture also contains no alcohol or parabens, making it a safer option for instant colic, gas, hiccup and teething relief.
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Not All Probiotics Are Equal: Single Versus Multiple Strain
Multiple-strain probiotics were associated with a significant reduction in NEC and mortality , whereas interventions using single-strain probiotic had only a borderline effect in reducing NEC and no effect on mortality. The European Society for Paediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition recently published a strain-specific systematic review of the efficacy of probiotics for prevention of NEC, highlighting important differences among various bacterial strains.
How Do You Give Your Baby Probiotics
Of course, the first step to introducing any new supplement to your infant should always be to consult your pediatrician. Babies digestive systems are in their infancy, so be sure to handle yours delicately, just as you do the rest of their tiny little body. Remember: its important that your pediatrician is aware of any and all supplements and medications your child is oneven over-the-counter ones and seemingly innocuous products like gripe water.
You may also be wondering: Should I give my baby probiotics every day? The answer is a resounding, yes! As with any healthy habit, consistency is key. If you decide that you want to give infant probiotics a go, you’ll want to be sure to give them to your baby every day. Otherwise, they wont work as efficiently. And, if you stop giving them entirely, the probiotics benefits may subside over time. Youll also need to practice a bit of patience when you start probiotic usage like any supplement, they need time to establish their benefits.
You now know that there are a lot of different types of probiotics, as well as which one we strongly prefer . Whichever one you choose, be sure to follow the instructions on its unique packaging.
When done, screw the cap on tightly to help maintain the drops freshness. To ensure full potency, use all the formula in the bottle within 28 days after opening. After all, probiotics are live microorganisms, and in order for them to help you and your baby, its best they stay that way.
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Your Baby Is In Daycare And You Want To Decrease Their Chance Of Getting Sick
Babies and toddlers who are around other kids in a daycare setting tend to get sick more frequently than children who stay at home. If you want to decrease your babys chances of getting sick, Kaufmann says probiotics may help, citing a study that found a decrease in incidence of rhinopharyngitis for children in daycare when they drank a fermented yogurt drinkProdeus A, Niborski V, Schrezenmeir J, Gorelov A, Shcherbina A, Rumyantsev A. Fermented Milk Consumption and Common Infections in Children Attending Day-Care Centers: A Randomized Trial. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2016 63:534-543. .
Why Should Kids Take Probiotics
Broadly speaking, starting kids or even infants on probiotics early on may give their bodies an advantage as they continue to grow and develop .
In todays world, kids are more susceptible than ever to environmental stressors. This can especially affect their developing brains, nervous systems and digestive systems. This might sound overwhelming at first, but we have many tools available to help support our childrens health. Probiotics can be one of them.
Many things may predispose a child to have insufficient good bacteria in their microbiome, from birth method to nutritional imbalances and even reduced contact with the outside environment.
Children developing food allergies is also a concern for many parents, and probiotics may be able to prevent or lessen food allergies in children. A 2019 literature review explained that there are data, albeit mixed, suggesting that probiotic supplements given to children may prevent or reduce allergy formation .
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Is It Time To Get A New Probiotics For Babies
Youre looking for a new probiotics for babies. What do you think? Its difficult to predict future price changes. If there are no signs of production slowing, it can be worth buying now to enjoy your investment sooner. But if output is declining and prices are predicted to rise, you might want to wait until the buzz has died down before making a choice.
Intestinal Microbiome Of The Preterm Infant
Over the past decade, the role of the intestinal microbiome as a marker of health and disease in preterm infants has been increasingly recognized. Differences in the intestinal microbiota among infants born at term and those born preterm have been demonstrated, with fewer bacterial species, less diversity, and increased proportions of potentially pathogenic strains in preterm infants. In addition, a number of factors are known to alter the microbiota in preterm infants, including mode of delivery, exposure to antibiotics, use of histamine antagonists, and diet ., Numerous studies have described intestinal dysbiosis preceding the onset of NEC in preterm infants, most commonly characterized by increased Proteobacteria and decreased relative abundancies of Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes species. Proposed benefits of probiotics include preventing intestinal dysbiosis and assisting in metabolism of dietary nutrients, leading to byproducts essential for intestinal health. For example, Bifidobacterium longum subspecies infantis consumes human milk oligosaccharides, promoting a healthy intestinal microbiota.
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When Should My Baby Take A Probiotic
It depends. Although some baby probiotics might be labeled “daily,” it’s important to only give them to your child only when your pediatrician recommends it which could mean every day, or it could mean only under certain circumstances.
For instance, your doctor may recommend a daily probiotic if youre trying to treat colic, explains Dr. Gina Posner, M.D., F.A.A.P., a Fountain Valley, California-based pediatrician and member of the What to Expect Medical Review Board. But other times, your pediatrician may advise you to give your baby a probiotic only when he has an issue that warrants it, such as a stomach virus or if they’re starting an antibiotic. As always, talk to your doctor before starting probiotics.
Both The Ingredients And The Label Should Match
A study published in the Journal of Pediatric Research shows that out of 16 Bifidobacteria probiotic products, only one delivers its promise on the label.
The remaining 15 products had had probiotic strains not listed on the label. That means neither you nor the manufacturer knows what youre putting in your body or how it will impact you
Its important that you do your due diligence when buying your probiotic as you may not be getting what you have paid for.
It Should Survive and Thrive in the Gut
The human digestive system is designed full of hazards to help kill harmful microbes and break down foods.
Fortunately, high-quality probiotics can survive and pass through digestive enzymes and stomach acids. Once they reach your gut, they start whirling into action to keep your gut microbiota healthy.
Heres the sad news, though: The majority of commercial probiotics dont survive and thrive in the gut.
This is the exact reason why you should only buy from trusted probiotic brands that can guarantee strain survivability.
Probiotic Strains Should Be Clinically Studied
When choosing your probiotic, quality matters.
However, most commercial brands do not have clinical studies that validate their effectiveness.
This means you could be wasting time and money on products that dont work.
Before choosing a probiotic, always check to see if the company can verify the effectiveness of their probiotics. Only select brands with ingredients that have been clinically studied.
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Nordic Naturals Babys Nordic Flora Probiotic Powder
Why its great: This one is the least expensive and it comes in powder packets that are easy to use. Each packet is the correct dosage, so you dont have to worry about measuring out the right amount. It has 4 billion CFU and contains 2 strains of probiotics that are proven to help with digestive health. This probiotic is also completely odorless and tasteless, which means its also easier to get your child to take it.You get 30 doses with this box and it is best for babies and toddlers 6 months to 3 years old.
Keep in mind: This one is for 6 months and up, so youll need to find something else to use for newborns.
Good for: Parents that want a good quality probiotic on a budget.
Kids Probiotics Are Safe Effective And Beneficial
Key Points:
- Probiotics are safe and beneficial for almost all infants and children.
- For critically ill infants and children, you need to consult with your doctor about whether supplementing probiotics is a good idea.
- There is no special kids probiotic. The main differences between kids and adult probiotics come down to packaging, flavoring, and dosages.
- Probiotics can support kids gut health, dental health, immune health, allergies, and more.
If youre considering whether you should give probiotics to your child, we have good news: Research has shown that probiotics are safe and beneficial for children of all ages, including preterm babies.
Ultimately, kids probiotics arent really different from probiotics for adults, though they may have variations in packaging, added flavor, and dosage. For example, kids probiotics may be chewable tablets as opposed to capsules. But the probiotic species, such as Lactobacillus acidophilus, Bifidobacteria, and Saccharomyces boulardii, are the same in probiotics marketed to both kids and adults. Of course, there are still many different combinations and brands of probiotics to choose from.
In this article, well review the types of probiotics kids should take, safety questions, and the benefits of probiotics for kids, including immune, gut, and dental health.
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