Probiotics for Babies on Antiobiotics or with Diarrhea, Gas and Reflux

Probiotics for babies are formulated especially to address the special needs of children who are not infants any longer, but not quite toddlers yet.

Babies are born with nearly sterile gastrointestinal tracts.

Babies born through vaginal delivery begin to pick up good bacteria while passing through the birth canal, while infants born via C-section miss this vital step. The same is true for breast-fed babies versus those who are primarily given formula.

However, your child is only able to pick up the good bacteria that mom has, so their initial staging for immune function starts off based on their mother’s microflora, which may or may not be in proper balance.

Probiotics

Digestive Supplement

Gut Health

Digestion

Immune Function

How It Works:

• Supports a healthy immune system & microflora
• Promotes digestion & nutrient absoprtion
• Combats pathogenic bacteria; Improves metabolism

Dosage:

Between 1 - 10 Billion CFUs per day

Safety:

Rated Likely Safe

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Probiotics for Babies

The ecosystem of the gut is an important factor in the overall health of babies.

Good bacteria and beneficial yeast will assure proper digestion and elimination, as well as good absorption of vital nutrients needed for proper growth and development.

The blend of microorganisms within the gut is collectively referred to as the microflora. If this flora isn’t in balance, then harmful bacteria are able to gain a foothold. The end result can be overgrowth which is responsible for some cases of infant diarrhea, colic and gas.

Adding probiotic supplements to a baby’s regimen can make a world of difference in health, comfort and development.

Probiotics, mostly in the lactobacillus genus, create an acidic environment in the small intestine which inhibits harmful bacterial agents trying to colonize the region.

In the colon, or large intestine, babies have mostly bifidobacteria which, along with selective enzymes, work to break down undigested food products before they have a chance to putrefy and cause problems.

Probiotics for babies help to reduce the number of episodes of infant diarrhea and also reduce the number of days for intestinal illnesses.

Health Benefits

Probiotics for babies contribute to good digestive health, promote proper immune responses and replenish the good bacteria to appropriate levels following the use of antibiotics.

Research demonstrates the benefits of probiotic supplementation for babies with colic. In one study, Lactobacillus reuteri was used in a double-blind trial in which colicky babies were the subjects.

At the end of the trial, the babies given the probiotic supplement had a significant decrease in crying times when compared with the placebo group. The exact mechanism at work is still being studied, but the results stand.

Besides colic, probiotics can be helpful in establishing good immune function in babies and infants. The human gut is home to more than 50% of the immune system. The balance of good bacteria within the microflora is an important step toward proper immune system response and function.

Without proper balance, babies can develop weakened immunity, leaving them more susceptible to allergies and illnesses.

Using Probiotics after Antibiotics

Another common use of probiotics for babies is to restore the bacterial balance within the gut after antibiotic treatment.

This can be particularly problematic with babies because their immune systems are not yet fully established.

This leaves them more prone to skin infections, ear infections and throat infections.

Doctors often prescribe antibiotics to quickly eradicate the pathogenic bacteria causing infection, but these broad-spectrum antibiotics also kill off the helpful microorganisms which keep the entire system in check.

Many pediatricians recommend a pediatric probiotic supplement at the same time as they prescribe antibiotics for their patients. The probiotic can be taken during and after the antibiotic in order to assure deleterious bacteria are unable to fill the void created in the flora.

How to Supplement with Probiotics

There are many foods which can provide small amounts of probiotic bacteria on a daily basis — foods like yogurt, pickled vegetables and sauerkraut are a few examples.

While these are great additions for babies that are used to eating a variety of foods, they are unable to provide adequate amounts of the probiotic organisms necessary to counteract overgrowth of harmful bacterial agents.

Supplementation with a quality probiotic powder or liquid can provide a standardized and effective dose to combat diarrhea, constipation, colic, gas and general discomfort.

During the first few months of life, babies are especially susceptible to infection, so if supplementing with a probiotic drop, doctors recommend just a small dab on the mother’s nipple or on the bottle nipple once per day. At about age three months, an increase to about ¼ teaspoon can be beneficial.

As they grow older, a slow increase may be used. Liquid and powder formulations are generally the easiest to administer to your child and pills should be avoided.

Recommendations

Always check with a pediatrician before adding any supplement or medication to a baby’s health regimen. Follow the doctor’s advice and do not exceed the recommended dose.

Babies who are breastfed have different microflora than those who are fed infant formula. This can be offset somewhat with the introduction of small doses of probiotics dabbed on the nipple of the bottle, or mixed in with the formula, providing the formula is not too hot for the bacteria to remain viable.

Probiotics for babies are reported to be helpful when dealing with diarrhea, colic, constipation and abdominal discomfort.

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