Probiotics for Infants: What are the Best Products to Buy?

Probiotics are normal, healthy gut bacteria which confer a beneficial effect on their human host.

Probiotics for infants are specialized blends which seek to meet the special needs of newborns and very young babies.

Infants have unique needs as their gastrointestinal tract is working to establish a balance among the microflora found there.

The gastrointestinal tract of an average adult contains trillions of these bacterial agents; in fact most adults have more than three pounds of these microorganisms swarming within their system at any given time.

Infants, however, are born with a sterile gastrointestinal system. They begin to gain exposure to bacteria, both good and bad, during the birthing process. Babies which are breastfed receive a large amount of bifidobacteria through their mother’s breast milk.

As with any supplement or medication, the dose of probiotic administered must be carefully measured and given only as recommended by a pediatrician.

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

Top Probiotics Products* ❯

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Probiotics for Infants

Studies observing birthing methods with relation to gut flora show that babies delivered via C-section have different kinds, and different amounts, of positive bacteria when compared to babies who are birthed vaginally.

Infants birthed vaginally are exposed to the bacteria in their mother’s birth canal which is the genesis of a carefully balanced microflora within the GI tract.

Another difference in gut bacteria has been established between babies who are breastfed and those who are not. Supplementation with appropriate strains and doses of specially blended probiotic formulas for infants can increase the likelihood of gut flora being in balance, regardless of birthing method or whether an infant is breastfed.

Effects of Probiotics

One probiotic, Lactobacillus reuteri, showed positive results for babies experiencing colic. The study was done in Italy using infants who fit the profile for colic which better known as the rule of 3’s.

Namely, it defines a colicky baby as one who is under the age of 3 months who cries for 3 hours or more each day, more than three days a week for at least 3 weeks.

Fifty colicky babies were separated into two groups. One group received a placebo while the other received lactobacillus reuteri every day. This was a double-blind study meaning neither the parents nor the researchers knew which infants received placebo and which did not.

After three weeks, the infants receiving the probiotics had a significant reduction in daily crying time and researchers found more lactobacilli in the fecal matter of the group receiving the probiotic supplement.

Researchers concluded that the gut flora may actually have an impact on the sensory experience of the infants which affected their crying behaviors. In short, it appeared the babies receiving the probiotic were experiencing less discomfort.

Additional Benefits

In infants, probiotic supplements may be used to decrease the number of episodes of diarrhea, as well as the number of days it is experienced. For infants who are especially prone to diarrhea, a probiotic regimen may help prevent future episodes.

Other parents report infectious episodes of diarrhea which are frequently picked up at daycare facilities are also reduced with prophylactic probiotic treatment.

Top Probiotic Supplements for Infants

Foods which have been enriched with probiotics especially designed for infants may be useful as part of a regular regimen.

However, foods do not typically contain enough of the active cells to enable the probiotic bacteria to effectively out-compete pathogenic (bad) bacteria.

Parents wanting to prevent or mitigate episodes of diarrhea or colic will want to speak with their pediatrician regarding appropriate dose and type of probiotic supplements needed.

It is estimated that about 90% of an infant’s gut microflora consists of bifidobacterium. There are many species and strains of bifidus and all are not equal when combating certain symptoms.

Some powder probiotic supplements can be dabbed on the mother’s nipple or on the nipple of a bottle. In newborns, do not administer probiotics unless expressly directed by a pediatrician.

Are there Side Effects?

Probiotics are considered generally safe, though only a pediatrician who knows an infant’s history and health needs can determine the risks, if any, to a particular infant. Some common side effects are mild bloating and flatulence.

This should dissipate fairly soon with continued use. Often, if side effects occur, it is best to decrease the dosage for the first few days and then work up slowly to allow the system to make the necessary adjustments to the shift in flora.

Summary

Probiotics for infants can prove to be a good choice for episodic diarrhea, antibiotic-related diarrhea and for colic. Always administer supplements and medications to infants and children under the guidance of a qualified medical practitioner.

Many doctors support the use of probiotics, particularly when prescribing antibiotics for infants. In contrast to adult formulas, smaller doses and different species are usually contained in probiotics for infants.

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