Tuesday, February 27, 2024

When Can Babies Take Probiotics

Does Your Infant Need Probiotics

Taking probiotics while pregnant

Probiotics for newborns are not recommended by doctors, as they are considered unnecessary. A newborn child has a sterile intestine, which means that there are no bacteria present in the gastrointestinal tract. These bacteria are actually unnecessary at the time, as the baby is not exposed to any other food than breast milk. By the first birthday, children acquire healthy gut flora from the breast milk they drink, and with a diet of yoghurt also given to the child, probiotics are not deemed necessary for children. However, if the child undergoes periods of severe vomiting or diarrhoea or has recently undertaken a long course of antibiotics, doctors recommend that the child be given probiotics. These ensure that healthy gut flora return to the intestinal tract and the immune system of the child is strengthened again. Therefore, they must be given to the child if the child was administered antibiotics. Other reasons for providing probiotics to babies are an ear infection, eczema, baby thrush, diaper rash or constipation.

How Long Should You Take Probiotics

After analyzing the studies, we believe probiotics via food or supplement is a staple of long-term health. We wont say its an absolute must that you take a probiotic supplement indefinitely. However, we believe doing so will be of immense benefit to most people, regardless of age or current health.

How Can I Get A Newborn To Take Probiotics

Just because a newborn cant swallow a pill, doesnt mean that giving them probiotics needs to be difficult. Natrens Life Start is a powder that you can give to a baby in several different ways. If you are breastfeeding, you can mix the powder with a little of your milk, and apply that paste directly to the nipple. When the newborn suckles, he/she will ingest the probiotics.

The same method can work with a bottle. A paste of milk and Life Start powder can be placed on the nipple of the bottle. Alternatively, your newborns probiotic can be mixed directly into the bottle. Once your child is older, you can mix Life Start into their yogurt or applesauce.

When youre expecting a baby, it can be overwhelming to try and figure out every choice you make to ensure your newborn gets the best and healthiest start to their life. At Natren, we can make one thing easier for you – the answer to what are the best probiotics for newborns?

Natren has featured Life Start probiotic products that contain exclusively B. infantis probiotic bacteria. Natren was first to introduce this baby bacteria 30 years ago and we have continued our education throughout the decades. You can trust that Natren has the right baby bacteria that is good for pregnant women, mothers, newborns and sensitive individuals of all ages. When youre ready to learn more about boosting your babys digestion, and all the positive effects healthy bacteria can give to newborns, visit us at natren.com.

Also Check: How To Increase Probiotics In Breast Milk

Are Probiotics Good For Babies

The evidence suggests that probiotics are safe for babies and that they tolerate them well. That goes for healthy babies, pre-term babies, and babies with very low birth weight.

But while probiotics may be perfectly safe for babies, we dont know if they have the same positive effect that they do in adults. Though probiotics have been well tested in adults, thats not the case with babies.

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So, whats the situation?

Lets go back to the gut again. We know adult guts are a rich, diverse paradise for bacteria. But baby microbiomes are not that well-developed. In fact, babies are born with sterile guts, where bacteria will develop in the future.

As your baby eats and drinks, their microbiome flourishes. They get better and better at digesting food and we know that their immune system develops, too. So, encouraging the growth of their microbiome with infant probiotics seems like a good idea, right?

The trouble is that the little evidence we do have suggests something different. While probiotics are safe for babies, probiotic exposure during infancy has limited effects on gut microbial composition, as one study puts it. In other words, there might not really be any benefits.

Lets dig in further:

What Are Probiotics For Babies

Culturelle Kids Packets Daily Probiotic Supplement

Probiotics are dietary supplements that are said to help improve the health of your gut. Probiotics for babies are the samebut the idea is theyre baby-friendly.Lets start from the top:

A healthy adult gut contains bacteria, both friendly and not so friendly. In fact, your gut is one great big collection of bacteria, AKA a microbiome, that all exists in a delicate balance.

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When you become unwellor when you take antibioticsthe sensitive balance of your microbiome can get upset, and symptoms like diarrhea, bloating, gas, and irritable bowels can result.

Now, thats where probiotics come in. These are good bacteria you can take as a supplementor eat in yogurt, cheese, and fermented foodsto help restore the balance in your microbiome. By restoring that balance, you ease those uncomfortable symptoms.

For adults, there is some evidence that they work. But what about babies?

Recommended Reading: Can A Probiotic Constipate You

Dont Forget To Eat Cultured Vegetables Yourself For The Health Of Your Immune System Too

If you give cultured vegetable juice to your baby about 10 to 20 minutes before her feeding, you can help her digest mothers milk. Fermented drinks, like Young Coconut Kefir diluted with filtered water, are also great to give to your baby in tiny teaspoon amounts.

Once your baby is old enough for a little more variety in her diet, you can prepare her puréed fermented vegetables by using our Body Ecology Culture Starter. Just purée organic vegetables first, and then ferment them.

As you can see, The Body Ecology System of Health and Healing isnt just for adults. Just ask Deborah Wieder, a member of our Body Ecology community who, at 41, was the first-time mother of a happy baby. She attributes her easy pregnancy to the Body Ecology consultations she had early in her pregnancy and continues to give CocoBiotic to her beautiful daughter, Maayan, every day.

Every child needs to have a strong inner ecosystem to help them become a healthier, more vibrant human being with strong immunity. Giving them probiotics gives them the advantage that so many children today are sadly lacking.

If you know someone else who has a baby or is hoping to have one, please pass along this important information. Healthier parents create healthier, happier babies and a brighter future for all of us.

REFERENCES:

  • 1. Bacterial Vaginosis During Pregnancy. American Pregnancy Association, 2020.
  • The Benefits Of Taking Probiotics While Pregnant

    We know that probiotics help your digestive systems, whether you receive them through foods or supplements. We believe that probiotics help reduce the harmful bacteria present in your digestive tract, helping your intestines move food more efficiently.

    We know that taking probiotics can help with several ailments, such as:

    • Inflammatory Bowel Disease
    • Eczema
    • Pediatric Atopic Dermatitis

    Thats not all. There are many benefits that mothers and babies can reap from regular probiotics. Here are a few to consider.

    Read Also: What Are Probiotics Made From

    Daily Probiotic Use Is Advantageous

    If youre still skeptical long-term probiotic use is helpful, then consider this study2 on the effects of probiotics on womens vaginal health. In the trial, female subjects either consumed the probiotics Lactobacillus reuteri and Lactobacillus rhamnosus or consumed a placebo for 14 days. Results indicated that women who consumed the probiotics had higher traces of the two probiotic strains colonizing their vaginal wall. However, seven days after discontinuing the probiotics, the strains were no longer present when swab samples were taken.

    This study further lends credence that long-term and daily probiotic use is not only safe but recommended for sustained health. Probiotics, like any other supplement, isnt something you can take once or twice and be hunky dory for life.

    Probiotic Foods: Hype Or Health

    Can you take probiotics during pregnancy?

    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.

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    Probiotic Supplements Or Probiotic Foods

    Which is best? Giving your baby probiotics in the form of supplements or feeding probiotic foods?Well the answer is depends your babys age as well as the reason for giving your baby probiotics in the first place.

    If your baby has been weaned onto solid foods and is healthy and you simply want your child to stay this way, then it makes sense to include probiotic foods in your childs diet. Start these as early as possible so your infant get used to the sour taste of probiotic foods. Suitable early foods include probiotic yogurt and fermented dairy drinks such as milk kefir.You can also liquidize cultured vegetables such as

    fermented cabbage sauerkraut) in a blender and you can rub some of the fermented vegetable juice into your babys gums.

    If however your child has a specific health problem for which you have sought professional advice and for which you wish to try probiotic supplements,then giving your child baby probiotics is a good idea. Baby probiotics contain an adequate dose of probiotics for therapeutic use. They are also the best method of giving probiotics to tiny babies, who have not yet been weaned.

    Dont forget too, that your baby will acquire most of its beneficial flora from its mother. To ensure your baby gets a good maternal dose of healthy intestinal bacteria, make sure that mum too includes probiotics in her diet as well as plenty of fresh vegetables and fruit, which feed the all-important beneficial bacteria.

    When Can I Give My Newborn Probiotics

    Probiotics can be given to a newborn from their first feeding on the day they are born. This is the day that they lose the flow of healthy elements from the mom, through the placenta and umbilical cord. If a baby is born healthy, theres generally no reason to wait to give them their first dose of digestion-boosting probiotics. You can continue the same Life Start probiotic through infancy and childhood.

    Also Check: Glowbiotics Probiotic Hydraglow Cream Oil

    Why Should I Buy A

    You can tell if you need or want a probiotics for babies by looking at your existing inventory. You probably dont need it and should reconsider buying it. If you cant get go of the old one, you could sell it and use the proceeds to buy the new one.This is a fun and easy approach to finish your task.

    Final Thoughts

    Lets face it, we all want to feel good about our purchases. But there are so many! How can you know which is best? You need not be concerned because Aids Quilt has your back. Our trained staff is here to help you find what works for you. Before making a final decision, you can take advantage of our free consultations. Let us show you how easy shopping for home audio equipment can be when you have an expert on your side!

    Taking A Probiotic While Nursing May Protect Against Infant Eczema

    Renew Life Ultimate Flora Baby Probiotic (Formerly ...

    Eczema is an inflammatory skin disease that’s common in babies and children, particularly those with allergies or asthma. It’s thought to be the result of a hypersensitive immune response. Babies are at higher risk of eczema if any of their parents or siblings have allergic conditions.

    Studies have found that taking probiotics while pregnant or breastfeeding may reduce the risk of infant eczema for these higher-risk babies, by enhancing the immune-protective benefits of breast milk.

    In fact, the World Allergy Organization came out with guidelines in 2015 for taking probiotics while breastfeeding to potentially prevent allergic conditions in babies. After a thorough review of the existing research, they concluded that the evidence was strongest for eczema, but that there might be benefits for other allergic conditions as well.

    You May Like: Do Probiotics Help Fight Yeast Infections

    When Is The Best Time To Take Probiotics In A Supplement

    Probiotic supplements are the easiest and most effective way of boosting your beneficial bacteria and optimizing your gut health.

    And just like with probiotic-boosting foods, the timing of when you take probiotic supplements is crucial in maximizing their efficacy and positive benefits.

    High-quality probiotic supplements give optimal results with your biggest meal.

    If you follow a more American dietary structure, that means youll probably be taking a probiotic capsule with dinner. But if you eat your biggest meal at midday, like many Mediterranean or Caribbean countries, then you should take your probiotics at lunchtime.

    Are Infant Probiotics Safe

    Although few studies have specifically focused on the safety of probiotics, they have an extensive history of safe consumption by both humans and animals.

    After all, they are a natural part of our diet!

    Natural sources of probiotics include dairy products with live cultures such as yogurt and kefir, fermented vegetables such as sauerkraut and pickles, and probiotic drinks such as kombucha.

    The most important safety consideration with probiotics relates to buying them in supplemental form, which is usually packaged as a powder, capsule, or drops. Consumers should purchase a reliable brand that delivers the precise strain of bacteria youre looking for. When ordering supplements, it is also important to pay attention to any storage instructions, as some must be kept cold.

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    Effect Of Antibiotics On Your Microbiome

    Even if antibiotics are prescribed responsibly and by responsibly, I mean for serious bacterial infections, not viruses they are associated with some significant negative health effects.

    You see, in a balanced microbiome, probiotics comprise 85 percent of all the bacteria that leaves only 15 percent of the bad guys. With beneficial bacteria solidly in the majority, your probiotics can work hard to keep you healthy and harmful bacteria are unable to gain a foothold.

    But, what if antibiotics knock that probiotic percentage down to 50 percent, 40 percent, or even 20 percent?

    Think of your gut as a parking lot full of spaces for bacteria to park and make a home. If the spots are full with mostly good microbes and a bad guy gets in, he has nowhere to park and must leave.

    Antibiotics clear out the parking spaces, getting rid of most of the pathogens but wiping out the good guys, too. Now, what if a bad guy gets in? You guessed it with plenty of open parking places, he can settle in and take over.

    Probiotics For Babies: When Can You Introduce Them And How Do They Work

    How to use Culturelle® Baby Probiotic Drops

    From a brief episode of a stomachache to constipation or diarrhea, babies often encounter a range of gastrointestinal problems. Several remedies aim at easing these problems, but one that stands out from the rest is probiotics.

    Probiotics are the good bacteria that rectify a malfunctioning digestive system. Probiotics are popular among adults, but can babies have them?

    Here, MomJunction answers this question and tells you more about probiotics for babies.

    Don’t Miss: Where To Buy Live Probiotics

    How We Chose The Best Baby Probiotics

    To choose the best baby probiotic, we used the above guidance from Dr. Ferry to start our search. We looked for probiotics that had lactobacillus and/or bifidobacterium, which Dr. Ferry says are the two most common probiotic strains . We also researched which options were recommended the most by What to Expect community members and our contributing writer staff. We also made sure each probiotic had high reviews from other reviewers who tried them online.

    Below, the best baby probiotics to ask your pediatrician about.

    See registry advice and a custom baby gear checklist

    Probiotics Help Prevent & Treat Diaper Rash

    Diaper rash is a common condition for babies.

    Apart from keeping your babys bottom clean, you can also avoid diaper rash by adding probiotics to your diet Some studies even indicate that resilient probiotic supplements can be put directly on the rash.

    The good bacteria in probiotics help to decrease diaper dermatitis lesions. This is supported by a study that suggests that probiotic supplementation may be useful in the treatment and prevention of diaper dermatitis.

    Read Also: What Is The Best Probiotic For Women

    Are Probiotics Safe For Kids Heres What You Need To Know

    You may have passed them in the health food aisle at your local grocery store or seen a reference to them in your favorite healthy living blog probiotics.

    Many adults use these supplements to help regulate their digestive systems. Some claim that probiotics can help with conditions like eczema and even yeast infections.

    But probiotics dont always work the same for children.

    Probiotics are useful for keeping your digestive tract healthy, says Dr. Joy Drass, pediatrician at Geisinger Port Matilda. But its important to know which probiotics you can give to your child, since they may not work the same way they do in adults.

    What Is The Probiotics For Babies

    Jamieson Probiotic Baby Drops with BB

    Sorry if youre perplexed. I know its not an easy choice! But its one of the most crucial choices youll ever make. If youre still unsure which type of probiotics for babies is best for you, I recommend comparing the characteristics and functionalities of the probiotics for babies listed above. Each has advantages and disadvantages.

    Also Check: Best Yogurt For Toddlers With Probiotics

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