Your Baby Has Acute Gastroenteritis
Acute gastroenteritis is defined as diarrhea or vomiting that lasts more than seven days. You should always talk to your doctor if your baby is experiencing these symptoms, and there is some evidence that probiotics can help, according to Kaufmann. The effect is that probiotics compete with enteric pathogens, there are then less nutrients for these pathogens, and probiotics increase immune response, she says.
One systematic review of randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials found that the use of probiotics compared with placebo was associated with a significantly lower risk of diarrhea lasting more than three daysSzajewska H, Mrukowicz JZ. Probiotics in the treatment and prevention of acute infectious diarrhea in infants and children: a systematic review of published randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2001. 33 2:S17-25. .
Can Probiotics Help Cure Thrush In Babies
Probably. A study found that when combined with prebiotics, probiotics can provide relief from oral thrush in babies and also reduce its rate of recurrence . You can also try using only probiotics if the baby has thrush. The probiotic should be used topically, meaning it has to be applied at the site of thrush infection. You can feed probiotic in the case of oral thrush, but it could be difficult to administer probiotic in case of diaper thrush.
Should Children Eat Probiotic Foods
Some studies suggest that probiotics may be good for children. One study found that children who were given probiotics every day for 3 months were less likely to have respiratory problems and diarrhea than children who were given a placebo.
And while more research is needed, probiotics may reduce childrens risk of developing certain conditions like autoimmune diseases, allergies and asthma.
On the other hand, some researchers note that probiotics may not have much effect on children. Because their microbiome isnt fully developed, probiotics may simply be passed as normal waste.
Probiotics are considered safe for kids with some exceptions, notes Dr. Drass. You should avoid giving your child probiotics if they have a compromised immune system or cancer, or if they are a premature infant. In these cases, probiotics can put them at risk for infections.
In general, its better for kids to get probiotics through foods instead of supplements unless their pediatrician recommends otherwise. Talk to your childs doctor if youre thinking about using probiotics to help your childs digestion because keeping your child safe and healthy is their prime concern.
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The Best Probiotic For Kids
by Sarah Almond Bushell / Dietitian Blog Posts
When babies are born they have a sterile digestive system. During birth, then from breastmilk or formula and later on from food, probiotic bacteria are introduced. These bacteria make up an important part of your littles ones health and different experiences and exposures throughout her childhood will affect how her digestive system is colonised.
A guest post by Gabriella Goodchild www.healthfuldietitian.co.uk
Note: this blog contains affiliate links which means that if you choose to buy a product by clicking on my link, I receive a small commission. All money made goes back into paying for the running of this website.
Best Baby Probiotics For Specific Conditions
While were still years away from knowing whether all infants and toddlers should take probiotics daily, there is solid science showing that certain strains can, in fact, help with specific health issues. A few examples:
Diarrhea: Runny poop is not uncommon among infants and young children. But if diarrhea persists, it can lead to dangerous dehydration. Taking antibiotics for an ear infection or other ailment makes diarrhea more likely. Fortunately, several studies show that a few select strains help prevent or alleviate diarrhea. These include Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG, or LGG, found in Culturelle Kids Daily Chewables, Culturelle Daily Probiotic Packets, and MetaKids Baby Probiotic drops, as well as Saccharomyces boulardi lyo CNCM 1-745, available in FlorastorKids Daily Probiotic Supplement.
Colic: The probiotic L. reuteri DSM 17938 has been well-studied for infants with colic, and the best studies are those done on breastfed babies, Merenstein says. It wont get rid of colic completely, but it will decrease crying time. Some research suggests L. reuteri DSM 17938 may also relieve gastrointestinal upset associated with colic. This strain is found in BioGaia Protectis products, available as drops for infants or chewable tabs for older children, as well as Gerber Soothe Probiotic Colic Drops, Gerber Good Start Soothe Powder Infant Formula, and Pedia-Lax Probiotic Yums.
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Do Probiotics Help With Constipation In Toddlers
By replenishing your bodys good bacteria, probiotics help with digestion and immune system function and may even help treat or prevent certain diseases. Theyre especially helpful for diarrhea or constipation both of which are common for kids, especially during potty training.
What is the best thing to give a toddler for constipation?
To soften the stools and make them easier to pass, increase the amount of non-dairy fluid and fiber your child gets each day. High-fiber foods include fruits and fruit juices that contain sorbitol , vegetables , beans, and whole-grain breads and cereals.
Do probiotics help with constipation? Studies suggest that probiotics may relieve constipation related to pregnancy, certain medications, or digestive issues like IBS. Probiotics are largely safe and effective, making them an excellent addition to a healthy diet to improve bowel regularity.
Can I give my 2 year old probiotics?
Yes, probiotics are generally considered safe for healthy toddlers and even infants . Still, its smart to ask your pediatrician which bacteria strain or brand of probiotics you should give your child especially if you want to give him a supplement.
Seekinghealth Probiota Infant Powder
Seeking Health is one of the supplement manufacturer as they never compromise on quality. Among their products, proBiota is specially and carefully designed for infants.
Though this product is equally effective to probiotia , it doesnt has an appetizing taste or added flavor.
Probiotics in this product are available in powder format which makes it more stable. It contains 10 different strains of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium that meets the special needs of infants. All these bacterial strains are chosen especially for their ability to reach the intestines.
Apart from that, it contains inulin which helps the good bacteria to flourish in the digestive tract. Each serving provides 10 billion CFUs of live microorganisms to the intestine. It can be given directly on the babys tongue or mixed with breast milk or formula.
The only drawback it has to be refrigerated. So, you may not be able to take with you while travelling. Usually, the manufacturer sends it in a cold pack. Before using, we recommend to take a milk test .
This supplement can be given to infants and children up to 2 years of age. It supports healthy digestion and optimum nutrition absorption from breast milk and other foods. It can be given to infant directly or mixed into breast milk or formula. This supplement is manufactured in a GMP registered facility and does not contain any added ingredients.
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- Needs to be refrigerated to maintain potency
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Garden Of Life Probiotics Organic Kids
If you prefer an organic probiotic, this one might be for you. These chewable tablets not only have the live bacteria and strains youll want, but they also add in some vitamin C and D for good measure. Plus, unlike some other probiotics, these dont need to be refrigerated which is convenient.
Buy the Garden of Life Dr. Formulated Probiotics Organic Kids+, $17.39
Culturelle Kids Purely Probiotics Packet
If chewables and gummies wont work for your kids, these powdered packets are a great alternative. The main strain in Culturelles probiotics is Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG , which has been studied extensively and is thought to be particularly effective. Each pouch contains one dose, and can be mixed into cold smoothies or applesauce or whatever your kiddo likes.
Buy Culturelle Kids Purely Probiotics Packets, $30.87
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Culturelle Baby Grow + Thrive Probiotics
If youre breastfeeding your baby, this is the best choice for you and your baby. Naturally, your breast milk is one of the best sources of nutrients for the baby, but with this probiotic that will become even better, as the probiotics also contain Vitamin D, which is essential for healthy infants.
The probiotic drops can be consumed by your baby by placing the dropper in the mouth, or by putting the drops on your nipple before breastfeeding your baby.
This infant probiotic by Culturelle is specifically designed for babies up to 12 months of age.
The reason why I really like the Culturelle Baby Grow + Thrive Probiotics is because it contains Lactobacillus Rhamnosus and Bifidobacterium, these 2 probiotic strains are perfect for calming tummy troubles and any sorts of digestion problems your baby might have.
How To Pick A Kids Probiotic And Prebiotic Blend
What the Science Says
Recently a team of medical scientists from UNC Chapel Hill found several benefits for kids who consumed a yogurt drink containing several key prebiotics and probiotics, including Inulin, Streptococcus thermophilus, Lactobacillus bulgaricus, and Bifidobacterium lactis .
For 3 months, 76 kids drink the yogurt drink every day, and 73 other kids drank a placebo drink. Kids who drank yogurt drink showed several advantages. First, they showed reduced days of sickness and reported fever. Second, they showed improved social functioning: they got along better with other kids, were less likely to be teased, were more confident in their abilities, and were better able to keep up with other kids. Finally, they also showed improved school functioning: it was easier to pay attention in class, keep up with school work, and they were less likely to forget things and miss school. This is in addition to all the benefits that have been reported in previous studies, like reduced obesity, gut health, reduced eczema, reduced colic, etc. The authors did find one little possible drawback of probiotic consumption: the kids tended to poop more often, and the poop was sometimes loose .
Overall, the authors found improved health, social functioning, and school quality of life for kids who consumed the yogurt drink. The one side effect seemed to be more frequent pooping, for better or worse. This paper was published in the highly ranked Journal of Pediatrics.
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Probiotics For Constipation: Does It Work
Though it has a lot of benefits, probiotics have always been associated with gut health and for a good reason. Several studies have proven its efficacy in diarrhea and other digestive issues. But the all-important question thats probably on your mind right now is: will probiotics work for constipation?
Though the evidence remains inconclusive, several studies prove that probiotics can help ease constipation. For example, a systematic review and meta-analysis published in 2014 say that probiotics can improve stool consistency and increase its frequency by 1.3 bowel movements per week. It also found that probiotics help reduce intestinal transit time. Harvard Medical School even evaluated this review and agreed with most of the findings in it.
So what do these all mean?
Intestinal transit time refers to how long it takes for the gut to digest the foods you eat. Those suffering from constipation often have longer intestinal transit times than healthy people. Constipated people also suffer from hard, lumpy stools that are difficult to pass. Improving the stools consistency will make pooping easier and less painful. It can also lead to an improved stool frequency and a more regular bowel movement. In short, probiotics do work against constipation.
But to understand more about how probiotics help fight constipation, lets first take a look at what causes it.
How Does My Child Take Probiotics
Gummies or chews are usually 1 or 2 daily. Powdered daily probiotics are normally 1-2 sachets daily mixed into cool food or drinks. Liquid drops usually taken on a teaspoon or mixed into cool food or drinks, once daily. Heating probiotics by adding them to warm foods or drinks may reduce how effective they are. Always follow the directions given.
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Best Probiotic Strains For Constipation
To maximize the effects of probiotics, its essential to take the right strain. You see, there are hundreds of probiotic strains. Each of them has different functions and benefits. So if you take a strain thats intended for acne, for example, dont expect it to be effective against constipation.
Here are the probiotic strains that you should look for when addressing constipation:
Renew Life Ultimate Flora Baby Probiotic
Renew Life brand is a pioneer is providing superior quality digestive health supplements. In their line of high potency supplements, Flora Baby probiotic is specially formulated for the intestinal tract and colon of children.
This is an advanced probiotic formula delivers a blend of scientifically studied probiotic strains that supports healthy digestion and immune function. It contains 5 well-researched probiotic strains which include B. Breve, L. Rhamnous, B. Bifidum, B. Infantis, and B. Longum.
Each serving provides 4 billion CFUs which can withstand the harshness of stomach acid and reach the intestines. It has pleasant taste and mixes easily with juice, milk and infant formula.
The only downside of this product is that it contains milk and soy protein in trace amounts. This makes it unsuitable for infants with lactose intolerance and allergies.
This is a 100% natural and gluten-free supplement with its quality, purity and potency guaranteed through expiration.
Dosage: You have to add 1 scoop into their breast milk, juice or formula. It doesnt have any taste or smell, so it blends into whatever you mix it in.
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Wellements Organic Probiotic Drops
Why its great: This probiotic is USDA certified organic and doesnt use any preservatives, dyes, or parabens. It doesnt contain any unnecessary ingredients or fillers. It does come with 2 strains of probiotics that will help improve your childs gut health and support your childs immune system. This one also helps with colic and alleviates gas pains.Wellements can be used for newborns and up. These also only need to be used once a day, which is easy and convenient.
Keep in mind: This one does need to be refrigerated and you need to shake well, and possibly warm it between your hands for a minute, before using. It also dispenses like an essential oil, so its a little more difficult to use.
Good for: Parents that want an organic probiotic for their child.
How Exactly Do Probiotics Help
Almost half of the developing nations now have children with allergy issues. This can be prevented right during the infancy stage. A lack of optional internal eco system is directly linked allergies issues within first week of their lives.
As per several researches, babies are introduced to microbes in uterus , during vaginal birthing and through breastfeeding. However, some babies may have missed these opportunities.
While in some cases, due to antibiotics or if mother has bad gut health, babies may not get enough microbes. If they dont get beneficial bacterial in their beginning months then they can start life with unpleasant gastrointestinal issues colic, reflux, constipation and gas.
If proper gut lining is not formed to be effective enough then toxins leak into the blood. In some cases, baby will reacts to the food as invader and creates antibodies against food which leads to food allergies. As proper toxins flushing does take place, it leads to weak immunity.
Almost 85% of the immune system is present in the gut related lymphoid tissueGALT. If babies dont quickly develop healthy ecosystem then it can weaken the immunity. This leads to development of serious health issues and problems.
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The Best Baby Probiotics
Choosing baby probiotics will be easier and quicker with this article. With our guide, you can be sure to find exactly what you are looking for. You will have a seamless shopping experience!
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Culturelle Calm + Comfort Probiotic Chamomile Drops
Why its great: In addition to containing the most clinically studied probiotic strain available, these probiotic drops also contain chamomile extract. Chamomile is thought to have calming benefits, as well as help, reduce gas formation in a babys delicate tummy. Giving babies chamomile tea can be tricky . This product can help.
You can have confidence in buying this brand based on the fact that its one of the top pediatrician-recommended baby probiotics on the market. Take comfort in knowing that you can help your baby by reducing the symptoms that most commonly cause fussiness and crying.
Keep in mind: The design of the dropper can make dosing a bit of a challenge.
Good for: Mommas who also like to supplement with chamomile.
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Garden Of Life Baby Probiotics
Why its great: Garden of Life is known for creating clean, effective formulas that parents can trust. All of their products, including these baby probiotics, are non-gmo verified, free of the top allergens, vegan, and gluten-free. This product is intended for babies 6 months and up.
In infant probiotics, it can often be challenging to find the exact CFU count however, its clearly labeled on this product that it contains 4 billion CFU. With access to this kind of information, its easier to tell if this is the right product for your baby.
Keep in mind: Although the bottle is quite a bit larger than competitors, the serving size is also larger than most. It can be difficult to disguise 2 milliliters in a bottle of milk. If your baby is on solids, it mixes well with oatmeal.
Good for: Babies who are eating solids.
