In recent years, probiotics have appeared in baby formulas, supplements, and foods for babies. If you have an infant, you may wonder whether probiotics are safe for him or her as well as whether they have any benefits for him or her.
It is widely recognized that probiotics are beneficial bacteria. In addition to being good for the gastrointestinal system, these bacteria may help with other health conditions.
What are probiotics?
Probiotics are a combination of beneficial bacteria and/or yeasts found naturally within your body. We usually think of bacteria in a negative light as something that makes us sick. The truth is, you have two kinds of bacteria living in and on your body all the time – good bacteria and harmful bacteria. Probiotics are a type of bacteria that keeps your body healthy and functioning properly. As well as helping you feel better, these good bacteria fight off harmful bacteria when you have too much of them.
It is likely that you already have these good bacteria in your body, but adding probiotics to your diet or taking them in supplement form can increase their levels. The addition of probiotics to an infant’s stomach may enhance its ability to absorb healthy bacteria more quickly.
Sources of Probiotics for Babies
Best sources of Probiotics for your little one:
• Yoghurt
• Soy milk
• Cottage cheese
• Probiotic infant cereal
• Probiotic drops and powder
• Fermented soy, milk, and vegetable products
Benefits of Probiotics for Babies
• Constipation – Constipation indicates a problem with the digestive system, particularly in infants. Probiotics have been shown to improve bowel regularity in infants with a history of constant constipation.
• No reflux – Probiotic bacteria can reduce the symptoms of reflux occurring in babies’ digestive tracts to a great extent. A probiotic supplement helps the child digest his/her food well in the stomach and reduces the chance of reflux, dyspepsia, or other similar conditions.
• Reduces diaper rash – Baby diaper thrush or diaper rash is a condition caused by yeast. Friendly bacteria found in probiotics like Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium not only promote healing but also prevent rashes from recurring. Most often, this condition is a result of using antibiotics for a long period of time.
• Reduces Eczema – Probiotic bacteria may alleviate symptoms of eczema in infants, according to studies. Probiotics can reduce the occurrence of red, itchy rashes on your baby’s skin, which is a result of this disease.
• Diarrhoea – Diarrhoea is characterized by passing frequent liquid stools. In cases of diarrhea, doctors often recommend probiotics for babies with digestive problems. In addition to recolonizing the gut, these supplements also help the digestive system of the baby to start working well again.
• Gassiness – It has been shown that the use of probiotics for babies with gas has great effects and that it has reduced the symptoms of gassiness and colic in the child. The main cause of this condition is that the balance between harmful and friendly bacteria in the intestine has been tipped towards the former, and probiotics restore that balance.
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Side effects of Probiotics for Babies
Before giving your child any kind of supplement, including probiotics, talk to your pediatrician. Probiotics rarely have serious side effects on babies. However, there are some things to watch out for. These include:
• Vomiting
• Nausea
• Bloating
• Gassiness
• Diarrhea
• Abdominal discomfort
Talk to your doctor if your baby experiences any of these side effects while taking probiotics.
Final thoughts
Your infant may benefit from probiotics if he or she has certain GI conditions or colic.
Many supplements and formulas contain probiotics. These products are not regulated by the FDA. If you want to keep your infant safe and healthy, ask your doctor about using probiotics.
