Probiotics are going crazy nowadays for maintaining a good tummy and a healthy digestive system overall. Most people take them or eat them in yogurt form because it’s the best way to put them into your system. However, the question arises as to whether or not your baby or newborn could take these probiotics.
Are probiotics safe and good for newborns?
That depends on your baby. There have been cases where newborns did get some adverse effects from probiotics, although more studies are needed to clarify them. Generally, infants can be okay with probiotics but you should definitely ask your doctor or pediatrician before you do so.
This is because probiotics are still considered food supplement, unlike regular medicine, so they don’t get regulated as regular medicines do. There are no official guidelines as to which age of baby should take this and that dosage. You should also be careful, as not all probiotics are made equally and some could still have side effects.
How they can help
Despite those concerns, probiotics have definitely been researched to be beneficial in many aspects of our body systems, whether we’re kids, adults, or of any age. Here are some of them:
1. Lessen diarrhea. If your child or baby needs to take some antibiotics or caught an infection which resulted in diarrhea, good bacteria from probiotics can help prevent such a thing from happening.
2. Better bowel movement. Babies and kids who tend to have more problems with irritable bowel syndrome can possibly benefit from taking probiotics.
3. A balance between good and bad bacteria. This ensures that your baby’s body has a balanced “ecosystem” in their tummy and in their body to ward off against diseases.
4. Improve good bacteria count. If your child needed to take antibiotics then boosting the number of good bacteria in their body can help them heal faster without having to take too many antibiotics.
5. Keep UTI at bay. In some cases, there is also evidence that urinary tract infections or UTIs can be prevented if a person or a child take probiotics regularly.
6. Good for the teeth. Children who start developing teeth can benefit from probiotics, according to some studies, since they can keep tooth decay from going bad. In other studies, periodontal disease can also possibly be reduced with help from probiotics.
7. Good for the skin and allergies. If your child has food allergies then probiotics can possibly help them, especially if they develop cow’s milk allergies. Babies and children who have eczema can also probably benefit from it, as well as those with asthma.
8. Great for colicky babies. Those who have colic or acid reflux can benefit from probiotics so that they cry less at night. This is one of the reasons why probiotics can be good for your baby.
Best Probiotics for Baby & Infant
Here are our picks for the best probiotics for babies and infants:
Probonix Kids Probiotic for Toddlers and Children
Coming in drops form, this one is in grape flavor but has different flavors available as well. It can last for up to 3 months in its content and it has up to 8 live probiotic strains for gut health. Since it is in liquid form, it can be easy to administer to your child.
The drops can be stored anywhere below 110 degrees Fahrenheit and it doesn’t need to be stored in the fridge. Because of the acid coating, it can prevent your baby’s acids in their body system to kill off the bacteria culture. The formulation is also non-GMO and organic, free from most allergens like gluten, eggs, and nuts.
Related post: Best Baby Formula That Is Closest To Breast Milk
Culturelle Baby Grow + Thrive Probiotics
Great for babies who are newborn up to 12 months, this one is made with vitamin D, which can help with your baby’s nutrition for their bones. At least 5 drops a day can be given to your baby with this formulation. The probiotics included in this baby drops are Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG) and Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis (BB-12).
It can be given to your child alone on its own or while breastfeeding or while feeding in the bottle. The formula is also free from sugar, gluten, and dairy. It also has chamomile extract to add to its herbal ingredient, which can be gentle on your baby’s tummy (it is often used as a tea ingredient for tummy aches).
Mommy’s Bliss Baby Probiotic Drops Everyday
As probiotic drops, this one is ideal for babies who are newborn and above. It can be given for up to 30 servings per container and each serving contains about 1 billion cells in its live bacteria culture. It can possibly help babies who have constipation, gas, and diarrhea problems. Each bottle has 10 mL or 0.34 fluid ounces.
Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG is the probiotic included in this supplement for babies. What’s more, it contains non-GMO corn oil so it can be great for those who are concerned with GMOs. It is also free from most allergens, such as soy, tree nuts, shellfish, fish, milk eggs, wheat, and peanuts.
Gerber Soothe Baby Probiotic Colic
Coming from a trusted brand of baby food and products, Gerber’s probiotic colic drops are also non-GMO so it is good for concerned parents. It can help babies who have spit-ups or colicky stomachs due to its soothing probiotics. It also has an option to add vitamin D for better nutrition. Each pack contains 0.34 fluid ounces or 10 mL.
The included probiotic in this supplement is Lactobacillus reuteri Protectis (DSM 17938) which has 100 million CFU. You can give your baby up to 5 drops a day using a spoon, during breastfeeding, during bottle-feeding, and the like.
BioGaia Probiotics Drops With Vitamin D
If you want a vitamin D-infused probiotic drops for babies, this one is a good choice. It has 100 million live L. reuteri probiotics, which can be helpful for babies who have colic and the like. This one is also non-GMO so it can be ideal for moms and dads who want organic ingredients. Plus, it doesn’t contain any of the top allergens, such as dairy, fish, tree nuts, eggs, soy, shellfish, and the like.
Each bottle is at 10 mL and it can give your baby up to 50 servings or 250 drops in total. It can also help babies who have constipation or spit-ups.
Lovebug Tiny Tummies Probiotic
Coming in packet form, this one is made for babies from newborn up to 6 months old. It can be ideal for those who want something that is sugar-free and dairy-free, as well as free from gluten. It contains L. GG and B. Infantis as two of its critical bacteria strains that are good for gut health.
Because they are in packet form, they are easier to administer than most drops and can last longer. About 1 billion active cultures are inside each serving and there are 30 single-serve packs in just one box. It is also made with non-GMO ingredients and is guaranteed by a manufacturer’s warranty.
ProBiota Infant Powder
For those who prefer a probiotic in powder form, this one may be for you. It contains 66 grams or 2.33 ounces per bottle and has a good taste without compromising its 10 billion CFUs inside. Babies who are 2 years old and below can take this probiotic powder just fine.
There are various strains of probiotics in this supplement, such as the Lactobacillus species and the Bifidobacterium series, which are at 2.5 billion CFU each and are derived from the chicory root. You can give this up to 2 times a day for babies who are 1 year old and above and 1 scoop a day for those who are 6 to 12 months old. They can also be mixed in your baby’s favorite formula or meal.
Klaire Labs Ther-Biotic For Infants
Yet another probiotic powder, this one contains 5 billion CFUs of different species: five Lactobacillus and five Bifidobacterium species. Since it is hypoallergenic (not containing fish, shellfish, milk, eggs, tree nuts, gluten, wheat, peanuts, and soybeans), it can be enjoyed even by babies who may have food allergies. It is also free from artificial stuff, such as preservatives, flavors, and colors.
Each bottle contains 66 grams or 2.33 ounces of probiotic powder, which can be safe and ideal for babies with GI problems such as colic and gas. Babies who are 2 years old and above can take this non-GMO formula just fine.
Dr. Valerie Nelson Children’s & Kids Probiotic
Formulated by a doctor, this one has a total of 18 billion CFUs which can be ideal for children. It is also dairy-free so it can be best for children who have allergies to milk. The bottle can give you up to 60 servings and it does not contain gluten, yeast, soy, corn, or GMOs of any kind.
To feed this dietary supplement, babies who are infants should be fed 1/4 teaspoon and combine it with water or breast milk, or even baby formula. For toddlers and older children, 1/2 teaspoon of the formula should be mixed with their favorite drink, formula, and the like. The strains included are L. Acidophilus, B. Lacits, and L. Reuteri.
Mama’s Select Infant Probiotics
This infant probiotic has 4 billion live cultures per serving, which can be great for babies who have colic and gas problems. It is applicable for babies who are 6 months old up to 3 years old and is free from soy, dairy, and gluten.
Up to 60 servings per container can be made from this supplement. This kind of live bacteria is good for gassy or colicky babies to help reduce their crying time.
Conclusion
To wrap things up, probiotics for babies and infants can be beneficial overall since they can work to improve their digestive system and other parts of their body. Remember that a balanced number of bacteria in the body is needed for their immune system to function properly. We hope you liked our reviews!
