Why Might An Infant Need Additional Probiotics
The digestive system of an infant is delicate and certain experiences, such as the use of antibiotics during delivery, can wipe out the healthy bacteria in an infants gut. An imbalance of good and bad bacteria can cause a number of symptoms that can be distressing to both parents and baby:
- Bowel issues including diarrhea and constipation
- Asthma and allergies
- Acne and eczema
- Upper respiratory infections
Probiotics serve to assist the body in remedying and/or preventing these symptoms by activating the immune system.
Composition And Nature Of Enterogermina
Enterogermina® 2 billion is lactose free, sugar free and gluten free.
Since Enterogermina® is a probiotic, it is only natural that the drug contains healthy bacteria that helps in prevention of diarrhoea and related symptoms and maintain healthy gut flora.
Each vial of Enterogermina® liquid contains around 2 million spores of Bacillus Clausii.
The attributes of these bacteria are as follows:
- The bacteria are rod-shaped
- It is gram positive
- It is capable of forming spores and living in soil
- It is a symbiotic which means it creates a mutually beneficially relationship between the substrate and the host
- It maintains the need of the body for probiotics required for a healthy gut
- It supports the intestinal bacterial flora to maintain the balance
Are Probiotics Safe For Kids
6 October 11
Probiotics are so common in yogurt these days, you might not think twice about giving foods laced with “good” bacteria to your youngsters. But do probiotics provide any benefits for children?
In general, giving probiotics to your kids is not harmful, but there’s not a lot of proof it does much good, either. Some studies show probiotics might be beneficial in treating and preventing diarrhea, but the effects are modest, experts say.
So far, studies looking at the effects of probiotics on other gut disorders, including irritable bowel syndrome, have not consistently shown a benefit. And a study published last week in the journal Pediatrics found no evidence that probiotics provide any relief for kids with constipation.
In the end, attempts to change the community of bacteria in kids’ tummies, and, consequently, their health, with probiotics may prove futile.
“Given the level of evidence, I can categorically say that I would not recommend parents going out of their way to give probiotics to children,” said Dr. Frank Greer, a professor of pediatrics at Meriter Hospital in Madison, Wis. Greer was the lead researcher for the American Academy of Pediatrics that addressed the issue. “Even if they eat the yogurt with five different probiotics in it, as soon as they stop taking the yogurt,” the bacteria in their bodies will revert back to its normal state, Greer said.
Do probiotics work?
Are they safe?
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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. .
Remedies For Baby Constipation
There are several remedies you can use to help your baby relieve their constipation.
- If breast fed, change moms diet to remove any potential allergens.
- If formula fed, change formula.
- If eating solids, try giving your baby high fiber foods such as broccoli, pears, prunes, peaches, skinless apples.
- Offer high fiber cooked grains, such as oats, barley, and quinoa.
- Increase the amount of fluids you give to your child. Often lack of fluids is the cause for constipation.
- Give baby exercise. If walking, take baby out for a walk. If not, move their legs with a bicycle motion.
- Gently massage babys tummy several times a day.
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Zarbee’s Naturals Baby Daily Probiotic Drops
Why its great: The Zarbees brand was created by a pediatrician and father that wanted to make products that were chemical-free and made from natural ingredients. The probiotic drops are just one of the many products the company makes. They include 2 strains of probiotics that are great for gut health and decreasing colic and gas in infants.
The dropper is easy to use and get an accurate dosage. Plus, this can be used right away for newborns. Plus, this one doesnt need to be refrigerated, however, it does need to be kept in a cool, dry place.
Keep in mind: This is a smaller bottle and only contains 30 doses, so it doesnt last as long as some of the other options.
Good for: Parents that want to make sure their babys probiotic is composed of all natural ingredients.
Best Strains Of Probiotics For Babies
Researchers of an Australian study found that the best probiotics for infants were ones that included 2-3 strains or species of probiotics . Here are the top three to look for:
1. B. bifidum is one of the first strains to colonize babys intestines and adheres to the intestinal wall better than other strains. It continues to be an important bacteria for digestion and nutrient absorption. It may help with infant skin conditions like baby eczema and yeast infections. It may also help with infant digestive issues such as necrotizing enterocolitis , IBS, constipation, diarrhea, and even lung infections.
2. B. infantis is the strain that is most prevalent and powerful in infants and declines as we age. In fact, a new study shows that this strain may be going extinct in the Western world. This is a huge issue, as it crowds out pathogenic bacteria and helps with overall health and digestion. One review found that B. Infantis can reduce inflammation and support immune function.
3. L. reuteri is a strain that has been found to have many benefits for young children and infants. One study found that children ages 6 months to 3 years who took supplemental L. rheuteri had nearly one third fewer cases of diarrhea and half as many respiratory infections. Another studysuggests that L. rheuteri is an excellent treatment for colic. It was also found to reduce the levels of bacteria that cause tooth decay!
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Best For Kidney Disease: Healthy Kidney Inc Kidney Restore For Cats & Dogs
Delivery Method: Powder | Life Stage: Adult | NASC Seal: No
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Seven strains of gut bacteria
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Balances five different factors related to kidney health
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Money back guarantee
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Some cats wont eat it
Kidney disease in cats can sneak up on pet parents. Cats are often quiet about their symptoms so we dont often realize theyre struggling until kidney problems have advanced. It is most common in older cats, especially those over ten years old, and you should consult with your vet about the best course of treatment.
Healthy Kidneys Kidney Restore was formulated by naturopath Robert Galarowicz. Their recipe focuses on balancing five critical aspects of kidney health to reduce renal stress. The formula claims to balance phosphorus, potassium, acid build up, and supports elimination of toxins. One scoop contains 50 billion CFU of seven strains of good bacteria. FOS and camu camu powder are included as prebiotics. It also contains sodium bicarbonate that neutralizes acids, niacinamide to lower harmful phosphorus levels, and vitamin C as an antioxidant.
Organic, GMO-free, and manufactured and tested in an FDA registered GMP-compliant facility in the Unites States, its easy for your pets to take mixed in with food. Some cat owners report that their cat wouldnt eat it, but many others saw noticeable improvements in their cat within a couple of weeks or less.
Delivery Method: Gel in syringe | Life Stage: All ages, including newborns | NASC Seal: No
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Contains artificial color
Natural Probiotics For Dogs
In the face of so much doubt over commercially produced dog probiotics, natural sources of probiotics start to look very appealing. The raw food probiotic options for dogs are specially formulated yogurts and kefirs , fermented vegetables, and green tripe.
These have their own drawbacks. Not all dogs can stomach dairy products or fermented vegetables. In fact a lot of dogs probably wont even touch fermented vegetables come to that! Green tripe is a wonderfully nutritious food for dogs, and a cornerstone of many raw-feeding diets. But bear in mind that many of the probiotics it once contained will have died in the butchering process.
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How To Buy Baby The Best Baby Probiotics
To help you shop for specific baby probiotic products that have proven helpful for various conditions, check out the 2021 Clinical Guide to Probiotic Products Available in the USA. Updated each year to capture the latest science, this is the guide that many doctors consult before recommending particular probiotics for kids. If you want to know which probiotic to give Johnny when he is on antibiotics or has ulcerative colitis, that site does really good job, Merenstein says. But its still smart to run your pick by your childs doctor before buying it.
Merenstein also advises parents to check out the International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics website. This research-based organization has created several short, easy-to-understand videos and infographics on how probiotics work and how to choose the best products.
As a final note, Merenstein says that when shopping for probiotics, always check the Supplement Facts panel to make sure the strain or strains are listed precisely. Each probiotic name should include the genus , the species , and a set of numbers or letters to indicate the exact strain.
Fact Sheet: Probiotics For Infants And Children
From the Centre for Community Child Health
In recent years, probiotic supplementation in our foods and probiotics promoted as dietary supplements have become quite common. You will usually see probiotics advertised as an aid to gut health. For babies and children, probiotics are promoted as possibly being helpful for conditions as varied as diarrhoea, infant colic and allergy. However, evidence is mixed on whether probiotics are actually effective for a range of infant conditions.
All babies are born with a sterile gut. After birth, babies naturally introduce bacteria to their gut through the breast milk or formula they drink, and later through the food they eat. These bacteria are an important part of the way that humans digest food and extract all the necessary nutrients.They also play a role in your baby’s developing immune system. Probiotic supplements are intended to aid the bacterial colonisation of your baby’s gut or to restore it when it has been disrupted.
Importantly, probiotics have strain-specific effects, which means that different types of probiotics will act in different ways. Probiotics as a term is equivalent to canine for different dog breeds it gives you a broad idea, but no indication of whether you’re faced with a Chihuahua or a Doberman.
The most common groups of probiotics are:
- Lactobacillus
- Saccharomyces boulardii
All of these different groups of probiotics can have different effects in the body.
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Benefits Of Probiotic Supplements For Babies
Theres still a lot of research that needs to be done on giving probiotics to infants, says Carrie Kaufmann, a pediatric nurse practitioner at Stanford Childrens Health in Palo Alto, California, adding that she doesnt see it as a necessary supplement for every baby.
There are some cases where a probiotic supplement may be beneficial, though, including:
Are Expired Probiotics Harmful
by Lara Swanson
An important question that arises in probiotic usage: are they safe? This question gains all the more significance when we consider the fact that most of the probiotics are marketed in the form of foodstuffs or drugs. Traditionally, people have been using probiotics from time immemorial through their food habits and the understanding of the safety of the microbes has come from prolonged period of experience like bacteria used in food processing: Leuconostoc and Lactobacillus. Therefore, till recently the question of harmful effects of these probiotic microbes was not raised. But the extent of their viability was always in question.
Immune-stimulation by dead probiotic cells:
Pros and cons of using dead probiotic cells:
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Probiotic Foods: Hype Or Health
Interestingly, your child’s GI tract is as unique to him as his fingerprints are. Each child has trillions of different microbes living in him, and no two kids have the same mix of bacteria. Two of the most common categories of beneficial bacteria that naturally occur in our body are called Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium, and it is generally these healthy bugs that food manufacturers use in their products. The marketplace is rife with specific strains of each of these bacterial groups . “Like antibiotics, probiotics are confusing to people because each one is different,” says Dr. Merenstein. The antibiotic that will treat your child’s ear infection won’t necessarily treat her pneumonia. The same holds true for probiotics — one strain does not prevent or treat all ailments.
And it’s not just the strain that’s important, but the dose. Some food product labels list strain names along with the amount of live bacteria, usually cited on labels exponentially as 109 or 1010 CFUs . However, many products don’t provide this information, so you may need to contact the company or visit its Website to get the info.
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. .
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Know The Excellent Bacteria
There are various types of microorganisms included in Probiotics. They are primarily breaking down to two various groups:
- Lactobacillus This probiotic is considered as a typical Probiotics. This group of Probiotics can be found in yogurt and in other fermented foods. If you are having difficulty absorbing lactose oriented food, then you will find Lactobacillus really helpful in dealing with these problems.
- Bifidobacterium This element can be found in dairy items. Bifidobacterium is said to be very handy in IBS Irritable bowel Syndrome, and various other conditions.
Why do great probiotics reside in our bodies?
The most prevalent for probiotics is in our gut, but there are other locations where you can easily discover good bacteria or microbes.
They are:
- Lungs
- Vagina
These are the places where you will find probiotics co-living. That is why it is important for individuals to take proper maintenance of these germs for a healthier life.
Probiotics Supplements will preserve a healthy balance in your body. You will require probiotics to fight off the bad bacterias to keep your bodys health in check. When you get a cold or flu, your body will let a horde of bad germs inside your body. Not just it will harm the physical ability of our body but it will also unbalance the resistance system. To restore the balance back in your body, you require to take proper measurements. Probiotics Supplements takes place to be one way to do that.
Why Take Probiotics Supplements?
Best Gummy: Smartypants Kids Probiotic Immunity Formula
If your child isn’t a fan of chewable tablets, liquid, or powder, gummies are a delicious, fun, and easy way for kids to get their probiotics in. SmartyPants’ Kids Prebiotic and Probiotic Immunity Formula combines 4 billion CFU of probiotics from Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus coagulans to support your child’s digestive and immune health. They also contain prebiotics in the form of beta-glucan , which supports probiotics and acts as food for the healthy bacteria.
The gummies come in two delicious flavors, strawberry crème and grape. Plus, SmartyPants are free of the top eight food allergens, including milk, eggs, shellfish, soy, peanuts, wheat, fish, and tree nuts. The Non-GMO Project Verified gummies contain only high-quality ingredients, and they are relatively low in sugar. Each serving of two gummies contains 3 grams of added sugars. They’re recommended for children ages 3 and up.
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Preparing And Giving Baby Probiotics
Despite current research that indicates probiotics are safe, more research is needed to fully understand their risks and benefits. Only give your baby probiotic supplements after talking to your doctor. Also, be sure to ask your doctor about specific probiotic strains, since all probiotics are different. Your doctor will tell you what dose of probiotic you should give to baby, and how often baby should consume the probiotic.
After you have your doctor’s okay, how should you administer a probiotic supplement?
Probiotics can come in powder or liquid form. You can mix both types with baby’s bottle of breastmilk or formula, or add either type to applesauce or yogurt . You can also place drops of the liquid probiotic directly on baby’s tongue.
Never add probiotics to hot liquids or foods— this will kill off the good bacteria, and destroy any benefit of the probiotic!
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All health-related content on this website is for informational purposes only and does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Always seek the advice of your own pediatrician in connection with any questions regarding your babys health.
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