Do Probiotics Make Colic Worse
Probiotics do not have any expected side effects, however, it is important to choose the right probiotics for use in babies, to help relieve the symptoms of colic and reflux.
Some research suggests Lactobacillus reuteri DSM 179388 showed mixed results when looking at an improvement of symptoms relating to colic. Although this strain did not help relieve the duration of crying and fussiness which are common symptoms associated with a colicky baby, it is beneficial for managing diarrhoeal disease in children9. Highlighting again the importance of looking for specific strains which have demonstrated a positive outcome for babies suffering from colic and reflux symptoms.
The microbiome of adults and babies are significantly different. When babies are born one of the first natural bacterial colonisers is Bifidobacterium, however, evidence and research suggest that babies suffering from colic and reflux often have lower levels of this bacteria in their gut.
The infant gut, like adults, is influenced greatly by their diet, environment and medication such as antibiotics. It is these factors that can influence a baby’s susceptibility in developing gut issues.
When Should You Take A Probiotic For Bloating
Probiotics work best when accompanied by healthy diet and lifestyle choices, but generally, the best time of day to take probiotics is in the morning with your breakfast.
However, there is one exception if you are considering taking a probiotic for supporting regularity and choose to take Optibac Probiotics Bifido & Fibre you may wish to take this in the evening, rather than with breakfast. The reason why some people like to take it before bed is due to the 4 grams of prebiotic fibres contained within each sachet. These prebiotic fructooligosaccharides fibres may cause some initial gas and bloating for a few sensitive individuals. These side effects should subside within 48-72 hours in most people, but this may take longer in people who have more severe dysbiosis, or if they have never taken a prebiotic before.
How To Pick The Best Probiotics For Babies With Colic And Reflux
When you are feeling tired and overwhelmed it can be difficult to make informed health decisions. Any parent looking to find a natural solution to their babys discomfort wants to know that its safe for their baby and based on sound clinical research.
When choosing a supplement for your baby’s colic, I suggest following these two simple steps:
Finally, remember that when you pick the right strain, not only can it help to relieve digestive symptoms associated with colic and reflux, but it also sets the foundation for a strong, happy, and healthy baby.
If you would like to find out ways to support your child’s health, you can learn more in the following articles:
Also Check: Probiotics In Neonates Cochrane Review
Infant Probiotics Baby Colic & Other Digestive Issues
Your babys tummy was born sterile, and can struggle to handle the other bacteria entering its system through breastmilk, formula, or solid foods.
Parents will often see that struggle through colicky crying, gassiness, constipation, reflux, and even eczema.
Introducing infant probiotics at an early age can lower the crying time significantly,according to this study. They have been shown to be an important piece of digestion and nutrient absorption.
In other words, let me state this clearly They are vital to your babys developing immune system.
Baby Probiotics vs. Gripe Water and Gas Drops
One study, published by Pediatrics, found that the babies given probiotics were only crying for 51 minutes a day after four weeks, compared with 145 minutes for the infants who were given simethicone .
Wow. That is quite a drop in scream time.
Thats because gas drops and gripe water are targeting bubbles in the tummy. Infant probiotics go a lot deeper than that. They target the bubbles and discomfort that are focused in the intestines.
What Does The Research Say About Baby Probiotics
One of the key things to know about probiotics is that “the research shows that these products dont appear to be harmful,” Dr. Ferry says. And studies also support, at least tentatively, the link between probiotics and better gut health.
“According to a statement by the American Academy of Pediatrics, probiotics appear to be modestly effective at treating acute viral gastroenteritis and preventing antibiotic-associated diarrhea,” says Dr. Ferry. “There is encouraging but preliminary data for their role in helping irritable bowel syndrome, ulcerative colitis, atopy and infantile colic, and even more conflicting data on the potential for probiotics to reduce food allergies.
Many frazzled parents of colicky babies may be wondering if it’s worth trying a probiotic to calm their little one, and the answer is: perhaps. “There is some data that probiotics, especially lactobacillus strains, may be helpful in reducing colic and have shown to result in overall less crying or fussiness,” says Dr. Ferry.
If you’re hoping a probiotic might help clear up rashes caused by eczema, it’s not totally clear whether it will work. “Data regarding decreases in eczema or atopy are slightly more mixed,” says Dr. Ferry, adding, “The largest benefit appears to be when moms start taking a probiotic during pregnancy and then continue during infancy.”
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Do Probiotics Help With Constipation
A study using two different multi-strain probiotics â one containing L. acidophilus and L. reuteri, and another containing L. plantarum, L rhamnosus, and L. lactisâ found that they improved the main symptoms of IBS-C:
- Constipation
- Abdominal cramps
- Flatulence
Other studies indicate that lactic acid bacteria, which include probiotic species and strains of Lactobacillus, may alleviate constipation, but the results of 42 trials reporting positive results were inconsistent.
Another probiotic strain which is good at giving the bowels a good shift in IBS-C is Bifidobacterium lactis BB-12. According to a 2015 clinical trial, makes stools less hard and lumpy, easier to pass, and supports good general gut health.
TIPIf you want to find out the composition of your own gut microbiome, you need an Atlas Biomed Microbiome Test
Does Burping Help With Gas Pains
In short: Yes, burping may help relieve your babys gas discomfort. We already know to burp our babies after we feed them. But it may help to up your burping game. Try preemptively burping your baby before feeding them. This ensures you can dislodge any gas that would otherwise become trapped in your babys belly as food goes down. Then, give mid-feeding burping a shot, in addition to your post-meal pats.
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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. .
Do Baby Gas Drops Actually Work
Heres what the medical community has to say about gas drops such as Ovol and how they compare to gripe water, homeopathic drops and probiotics for fussy, colicky babies.
Having a fussy baby may be par for the course as a parent, but its still not a lot of fun. When naps and overnight sleep get disrupted, nobodys happy .
Of course, both excessive crying and gas are a normal part of being a baby, and baby burps can even be cute! But when it reaches a certain point, parents may feel the urge to turn to a remedy that goes beyond bicycle kicks and tummy rubs.
Baby gas drops are one popular option. Much like gripe water, baby gas drops are often sought as a remedy for both colic and gassiness , but they are very different products.
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Which Infant Probiotic Is The Best
Buyer beware! Not all probiotics are created equal.
The infant probiotic brand I used on my babies was BioGaia.
Heres why:
- The strain of probiotic used in BioGaia has been clinically shown to reduce excessive crying and fussing in colicky babies.
- Not only did it help their colicky periods, it was shown to increase the amount of happy bacteria in their intestines later on.
- That specific strain of probiotic is found in the milk of breastfeeding mothers.
What Do Probiotics Help With
While probiotics may help infants with numerous different gut related issues, here are some of the main ones. Keep in mind that there is very little research on probiotics and infants but some clinical trials and anecdotal evidence has shown that they may be helpful for:
- easing colic
- improving mood, motivation, and cognitive health
- repairing damaged tissue from injuries
Even if your baby or toddler isnt experiencing any of these symptoms, chances are they still could benefit from a probiotic.
Read Also: Best Probiotic For Women’s Gut Health
Gassy Baby Signs And Symptoms
All babies, of course, pass a little gas. But look for these signs and symptoms of baby gas that’s more than just the usual:
- Your baby cries and is fussy for an hour or so a day. This can be a sign of a normal amount of newborn gassiness that comes with having a tiny, underdeveloped digestive system. But you should still check in with your pediatrician if it happens every day and doesn’t seem to be getting better.
- Your baby seems unhappy most of the time. This can indicate that you have an especially gassy baby who needs a bit more help. Gas that causes significant upset often indicates a problem beyond normal newborn gassiness.
- Your baby isn’t eating or sleeping well. Trouble with sleeping or eating can have a whole range of causes, but infant gas may be one of them, especially if there are other signs. Talk to your doctor for a proper diagnosis.
- Your baby gets red in the face when he cries and seems like he might be in pain.
- Your baby squirms as though he’s uncomfortable and pulls his legs up to his chest, especially during bouts of fussiness.
Infant gas has several possible causes:
- Swallowing air when feeding or crying, which is very common and normal among new babies
- An underdeveloped digestive system, which allows food to pass through too quickly so it doesnt break down completely
- Hypersensitivities to certain types of formula or foods in Moms diet, or possibly food allergies
How Baby Probiotics Can Help With Gas
Newborns have an immature digestive system. The muscles in their digestive tract cant maintain the rhythm necessary for moving food along the GI tract efficiently. For many babies and toddlers, this results in gas pockets in the GI tract that can create pain. The good news is that baby probiotic supplements can help prevent gastrointestinal issues!
The probioticshelp to maintain a balance between babies bad and good bacteria in their gut. These also work to ensure that babies have enough digestive enzymes to break down food and they reduce intestinal inflammation which together works to stop unwanted gas build-up.
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How Baby Probiotics Can Help With Constipation
Constipation is an all too common problem amongst many toddlers and babies. It causes painful and infrequent bowel movements, fecal incontinence, and abdominal pain. To treat this uncomfortable condition, the North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition recommends behavioral modification, dietary changes, and family education.
As far as dietary changes go, some studies have examined the effectiveness of probiotic supplements in treating constipation in infants. One study found that a combination of Bifidobacteriumand Lactobacillus sppprobiotic strains helped reduce constipation symptoms in infants by increasing the frequency of bowel movements.
Whats The Best Way To Give Baby Probiotics
You want to avoid giving probiotics in hot bottles or hot food, as the heat can damage the live bacteria before it has a chance to start working in your babys gi tract. However, there are lots of ways to administer probiotics. You can mix the probiotics with room temp formula or breastmilk, give on a spoon, or mix into food . A couple of other options are to put the probiotics on your nipple before breastfeeding, or put the drops on your finger and rub them inside the babys cheek.
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Which Medications Can You Safely Give Your Newborn For Gas
Over-the-counter gas drops given to a baby for gases contain simethicone, a medicine designed to relieve excess gas in the stomach and intestines. Simethicone is generally a safe medication for most babies.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved it in 1952. Simethicone may cause loose stools in some babies. A typical dose for simethicone is 20 milligrams, up to 4 times a day. The FDA advises against using gripe water for treating colic or flatulence in babies.
Probiotic Supplementation Is Not Associated With Breast Milk Immunity
Innate and adaptive immune cells found in breast milk protect infants from mucosal infections while their immune system develops. To determine if probiotic supplementation influenced the protective potential of breast milk, immune cytokines were examined in the breast milk. In addition, IgE was analyzed to determine if probiotics were associated with markers of allergies whereas sIgA was analyzed as a marker of mucosal protection against enteric disease. The multivariate generalized linear models of the breast milk cytokines showed no differences between groups . Similarly, there were no significant differences between levels of sIgA or IgE in breast milk , showing that probiotic supplementation was not associated with protective immune responses in breast milk.
Infant exposure to probiotics correlates with increased mucosal illness during the first 2 years of life and corresponding immune responses at 5 months of age. Infants exposed to probiotics had significantly higher reported mucosal infections compared to the no probiotics group but were able to clear infections at similar rates. Probiotic exposure during the first 6 months is associated with no changes in breast milk sIgA but modest increases in fecal sIgA. There were no differences in either breast milk or infant stool IgE levels. *Denotes P< 0.05.
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Does Massage Help With Baby Gas
Infant massage is another way to help your baby move tummy bubbles. Massage also supports bonding and sensory stimulation between an infant and parentZeevenhooven J, Browne PD, LHoir MP, de Weerth C, Benninga, MA. Infant Colic: Mechanisms and Management. Nat Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2008 15:479-496. .
Choose a time of day to perform infant massage, typically first thing in the morning or as part of the nighttime routine. Baby-safe lotions or oils can decrease friction during a massage, but are not needed. Move your hand across your babys tummy in a clockwise motion to push bubbles forward. You can also move your babys legs like theyre riding a bike to encourage gas release.
Infant massage should be pleasant and soothing. Watch your baby for any signs of increased distress, and stop if your baby seems uncomfortable.
Mommys Bliss Probiotic Drops
Why its great: The packaging for this probiotic is one of my favorite things about it. Sure it has an excellent strand of probiotic thats proven to improve gut health too, but let me tell you about the dropper. So, most infant probiotics tell you to administer a certain amount of drops, but it can often be hard to know if youre giving your baby the correct amount. And, sometimes its difficult to get the drops out at all . The dropper that comes in this bottle of probiotics has a black line on it, so you know exactly where to draw the liquid up to.
Mommys Bliss is an excellent woman-owned and woman-run company. Because of this, they understand the needs of mommas. With this easy to use product, you know you are giving your baby what they need, from age newborn and up.
Keep in mind: This product should not exceed temperatures above 77, so you will want to store it accordingly.
Good for: Newborn babies, as the product is safe for babies from day one.
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Consider A Specialized Formula
While most babies can do well on a standard formula, some may need a formula that is specialized. The two options used most frequently for gastrointestinal symptoms are hydrolyzed and hypoallergenic formulas:
As a reminder, please always check with your pediatrician before introducing or switching to a specialized formula!
