Benefits Of Probiotics For Infants
Probiotics have been found to be helpful in treating conditions like diarrhea and eczema in infants. They may also help in managing allergies, preventing urinary tract infections, and relieving symptoms of colic in infants.
Other conditions that probiotics may help manage include:
- Acute infectious diarrhea
- Chronic inflammatory bowel disease
Atopic diseases. Infants who are at risk of getting atopic conditions may benefit from probiotic supplements. This is especially helpful for formula-fed infants. Some studies also suggest that probiotics might also be beneficial when taken during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Necrotizing enterocolitis. Preterm infants are at a high risk of contracting necrotizing enterocolitis. This is because of antibiotic administration after birth and the limited development of normal digestive microorganisms. Probiotic supplements may help preterm or low-birth-weight infants develop these vital microorganisms.
Diarrhea. Probiotics help prevent diarrhea in some instances. These supplements have been found to delay the symptoms of acute infectious diarrhea in children and otherwise healthy infants.
Chronic inflammatory bowel disease. Probiotics may be helpful in the management of chronic inflammatory bowel disease together with or as a replacement for medications prescribed for this condition. However, there is no conclusive research demonstrating whether it actually works as a treatment of this condition in infants.
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.”
Are Daily Probiotics Beneficial For Baby
Chances are youve been hearing about the benefits of probiotics for a while now. You may even take one yourself every daygood for you! Wondering if your baby could also benefit from taking a daily probiotic? Weve gone through the latest research and the good news is yes! Here are just a few of the ways your baby could benefit.
GAS AND COLIC
Probiotics are natural microorganisms similar to those found in healthy digestive tracts. By adding them to your babys routine, you can help to build up good bacteria in the gut leading to less tummy troubles like gas or colic. In fact, a 2007 study in the journal Pediatrics found that giving probiotics helped to keep the bacteria in the gut balanced which resulted in less intestinal inflammation, which is a major cause of gas and colic in infants. A 2011 study in European Journal of Clinical Investigation found that probiotics can also help food to move through the digestive system more easily, leading to less frequent spitting up.
UPSET TUMMY
Giving probiotics can help restore the balance of good bacteria in babys bowels and can help with digestive upset. A great daily option to build up babys gut microbiome is Mommys Bliss Probiotic Drops- Everyday. If you are looking to build up babys gut health quickly try Mommys Bliss Probiotic Drops- 15 Day Boost.
CONSTIPATION
IMMUNE FUNCTION
THE IMPORTANCE OF PROBIOTICS FOR C-SECTION BABIES
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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.
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 babys developing immune system. Probiotic supplements are intended to aid the bacterial colonisation of your babys 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 youre faced with a Chihuahua or a Doberman.
The most common groups of probiotics are:
All of these different groups of probiotics can have different effects in the body.
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Development Of The Gut Microbiome
Babies begin to develop their unique intestinal bacterial profile, known as the gut microbiome, even before birth as they are exposed to bacteria in the womb. During the birth process, the gut becomes further colonized with bacteria from the mother.
A 2019 study found that 63% of infants gut bacteria matched their mothers bacterial profile, demonstrating that maternal health directly affects babies health from birth.
Other factors that influence strains of gut bacteria in early life include exposure to antibiotics, premature birth, genetics, and nutrition. Breast milk naturally contains probiotics, and while many infant formulas have probiotics added to them, the research is unclear on whether they provide the same benefits for gut health.
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 develops26. 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 disease27. 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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What Do Baby Probiotics Do
When you take probiotics, the point is to increase the number of good bacteria that help you effectively fight off infections.
Good bacteria support your immune system and also help control inflammation in the body.
Certain types of good bacteria can also:
- Help your body digest food.
- Keep harmful bacteria from getting out of control and making you sick.
- Create vitamins.
- Help support the cells that line your gut to prevent harmful bacteria that you may have consumed from entering your blood.
- Help your body breakdown and absorb medications.
Can Children Take Them
As babies are safe to consume probiotics, children can also consume probiotics without getting negative effects. In addition, these live microorganisms can give better protection for children as they strengthen the number of beneficial bacteria living in the gut.
However, you have to actually be extra careful with children. Some children have weak immune systems, and it will not matter whether they are newborns or teenagers. In cases like these, you may want to consult your childs doctor first whether it will be safe for them to consume probiotics when their immune system is compromised.
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What Types Of Probiotics Are Available
Baby probiotics are sold as powders and drops, which are the most common for young babies and usually given either by spoon or added to a bottle. If you’re nursing, you can also try putting the drops directly on your breast before baby latches.
Note that probiotics aren’t regulated as medications by the Food and Drug Administration , so, as Dr. Ferry says, “It can be helpful to discuss with your pediatrician to ensure you are choosing a product with reliable manufacturing processes.”
Are Probiotics Good For Baby
A well-planned diet maintains the health of your baby and determines its well-being. Right from breastfeeding to solids, you should know the right time to provide the child with a particular kind of food. In the course of time, the children start eating vegetables. However, at times, you may have to provide the children with probiotics. This has to be supplied to the baby after consultation with the doctor. Probiotics can be provided to the baby along with their food or in the form of supplements.
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How Baby Probiotics Can Help With Diarrhea
Probiotic supplementation has become an increasingly popular treatment choice for infant and child diarrhea. In a study examining the effectiveness of probiotic treatment of acute diarrhea in children two years or younger, children who receiveda probiotic enriched formula had significantly less diarrhea.
Interestingly, research has also demonstrated that breastfed infants tend to have lower incidences of diarrhea. The mechanism underlying this tendency could be that breast milk is a natural source of probiotics. So for babies who are unable to breastfeed, a formula enriched with probiotics may be a good option for helping to prevent or reduce diarrhea!
How To Give Baby Powdered Probiotics
- Following the dosage suggestions on the particular product, add powdered probiotics to breast milk or formula.
- Alternatively, you can put the powdered probiotics directly on your breasts before feeding. To do so, apply my DIY nipple cream, then sprinkle the probiotic powder directly on top.
- When baby is eating solids, mix powdered probiotics into babys water cup or food.
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Do Newborns Need Probiotics Learn More
Probiotics are widely known to be good for gut health and immunity. It balances out the harmful bacteria on the digestive tract. There are different products advertised in the market that aim to protect the gut health of infants.
Infant probiotics are promoted as a dietary supplement that aid in gut health. Certain types of probiotics are suitable for a newborn that is why its essential to seek guidance from a doctor to ensure that the baby will truly benefit.
Babies are born with a sterile gut and good bacteria are naturally introduced to them via breastmilk, formula, and healthy foods. Probiotics are good for adults digestion and immunity, but do newborns need probiotics?
Image Source: The Scientist
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.
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How The Science Stacks Up
Because most foods do not contain nearly enough probiotic CFUs to be considered “therapeutic,” you’ll most likely need probiotic supplements to find higher doses and target specific problems. They come in all kinds of forms, including drops, chewable tablets, and even special straws that are coated with probiotics. But you should talk to your pediatrician first, stresses Dan W. Thomas, M.D., head of the gastroenterology department at Childrens Hospital Los Angeles, who is also a coauthor of the pending AAP report on probiotics. If your doctor approves, try offering probiotic supplements to your child when he comes down with any of the following ailments.
Colic: A study published in Pediatrics in 2007 found that colicky infants who took Lactobacillus reuteri Protectis, the strain found in BioGaia probiotic drops, saw results within one week. On the fourth week, the babies were crying for only 51 minutes a day, compared with 145 minutes for the infants who were given simethicone, the active ingredient in many OTC anti-gas products. “These results were startling, and we need more research,” says Dr. Merenstein.
The bottom line: Probiotics are considered safe for healthy children. And while more research is needed before doctors can begin prescribing probiotics for specific childhood illnesses , it’s certainly worth discussing the idea with your pediatrician.
Are There Benefits Of Probiotics For Babies
Many people claim that probiotics can help lots of different conditions in babies. But is this true? Lets take these claims one by one.
- Do probiotics help fussy babies? Here we may be in luck. Two studies have had success treating colic symptoms with probiotics. One found that giving babies probiotics during the first three months can prevent colic. Another found that babies who take probiotics before feeding tend to cry less.
- But the jury is still out.Another study found that babies treated with probiotics fussed more.
- Probiotics for baby constipation?Baby constipation can be a tough onebut there is some evidence that probiotics can help. One study found that babies taking probiotics poop more often.
- What about probiotics for babies with gas? While doctors have suggested that an immature microbiome can maybe make babies gassy, theres not much evidence to show that probiotics actually help.
- For diarrhea? There seems to be good evidence to support the idea that probiotics can help with the frequency, duration, and recovery time from diarrhea, particularly if theyre taken to counteract the side-effects when your little one needs antibiotics. For this one at least, thumbs up.
- For allergies? While its a common idea, theres no evidence to support using probiotics for allergiesjust yet, at least.
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Mary Ruths Liquid Probiotic For Infants
Why its great: Soothing and supporting our babies overall health is a goal all of us mommas have, and this infant probiotic delivers. This proprietary blend is intended for babies 0-12 months. Each bottle contains 84 servings of organic probiotics , which is more than most of the other options. Another added bonus, unlike some probiotics, this blend doesnt require refrigeration.
Keep in mind: This probiotic isnt flavored, so some babies have an aversion to the taste .
Good for: Mommas with multiple babies needing probiotics, as the bottle is bigger than most of its competitors.
Natural Exposure To Good Bacteria For Infants
The gut microbiome is a very fragile internal ecosystem, and it is well established that the groundwork for a robust gut starts at birth.
There are three main ways that an infants microbiome is populated during and shortly after birth:
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Yet Some Mothers Have Been Told That When Their Baby Is Colicky She Is Allergic To Their Breast Milk
Mother Nature couldnt possibly make this kind of mistake. This is simply a clue that your babys inner ecosystem is lacking the healthy microbes needed to digest breast milk. Giving your baby probiotics is especially important if youre unable to breastfeed due to your own compromised health, or if you have decided that breastfeeding is just not right for you.