Baby Probiotics: Are They Safe?
When it comes to giving your baby probiotics, there are many opinions out there. Some say they’re not safe for babies under one year old; others say they’re good for them.
What’s the truth? Is it really safe or not?
There are no studies that prove that these products aren’t safe for babies under one year old. But there are some studies that show that the bacteria in these products may cause problems later in life.
So what do you think? Do you believe these products are safe for babies under one year old? Or do you think they could be harmful?
Let us know!
What are Baby Probiotics?
Baby probiotics are live microorganisms (bacteria) that have been cultured from infant feces. These organisms have been used for decades to prevent diarrhea in infants. They’ve also been used to treat infections such as ear infections, colds, and other illnesses.
Are they Safe for Newborns?
There are no studies that have been done to prove that these products aren’t safe for babies. But there are also no studies that show that they’re safe. It is possible that the bacteria in these products will later cause problems as your child grows older, such as obesity, asthma, or diabetes. But this is all just theory at this point.
How to Use
It’s very simple! Just look for the words “live and active cultures” on the products you are looking at. Then choose one with the letters “D” or “R” after the word “capsules.” These letters mean that the capsule has been tested and has the required number of active cultures.
It’s that easy!
Also, look for a product that contains multiple types of “live and active cultures.” The more different types, the better. This will make sure your baby gets the most healthy bacteria possible.
How Much Should You Give Your Baby?
The instructions on these products will tell you how many capsules or tablets to give your baby each day. Don’t go over the recommended dosage. It is okay to give your baby a smaller dose. It is not okay to give your baby a larger dose.
How Long Will it Take to Work?
Don’t expect these products to work immediately. Your baby may still get an upset stomach. Keep giving your baby the supplements, even if they start feeling better. It can take up to two weeks for these bacteria to take full effect.
What to Expect
Once your baby begins to take the probiotics, you should see an improvement in their stools. They may have one or two loose stools, but then things should normalize after that. These products will also act as a preventive measure to stop your baby from getting sick.
Are There Any Side Effects?
Give your child these supplements for no more than two months. If you do, there’s a chance of the bacteria becoming resistant to it. If this happens, then the supplement will not work as well in the future. So only use this product for two months at a time.
Also, watch your baby for any allergic reactions, like a rash or hives. If you notice anything out of the ordinary, stop giving the supplement and contact your doctor immediately.
How Much Do They Cost?
You can get a 60 count bottle of DHA and Probiotic Supplement for about $12. These bottles will last you about one month so the cost is about $.20 per day to keep your little one healthy!
Where Can You Buy These Supplements?
Most drug stores and supermarkets carry a wide variety of baby supplements. You may have to look a little, but they’re out there! You can even buy them online.
What Do Doctors Think of These Supplements?
Most medical professionals will tell you that it’s never too late to give your baby these supplements. It’s better to start them as soon as possible. However, many feel that if you’re supplementing at all, then your baby isn’t getting everything they need from their food. So you may need to supplement for the rest of your child’s life!
Sources & references used in this article:
The politics of probiotics: probiotics, necrotizing enterocolitis and the ethics of neonatal research by A Janvier, J Lantos, K Barrington – Acta paediatrica, 2013 – academia.edu
Safe and efficacious probiotics: what are they? by G Reid – TRENDS in Microbiology, 2006 – Elsevier
The clinical use of probiotics for young children: probiotics may be beneficial in reducing the incidence of gastroenteritis, diarrhoea and colic in babies by GB Huffnagle – 2008 – Bantam
Maternal perspectives on the use of probiotics in infants: a cross-sectional survey by K Klein, R Stevens – Journal of Family Health Care, 2008 – go.gale.com
Probiotics: can they be used to improve oral health? by SL Bridgman, MB Azad, CJ Field, N Letourneau… – … and alternative medicine, 2014 – Springer
Probiotics and necrotising enterocolitis: the devil (as always) is in the detail by OE Gungor, Z Kirzioglu, M Kivanc – Beneficial microbes, 2015 – ingentaconnect.com
Probiotics to prevent infantile colic by N Modi – Neonatology, 2013 – search.proquest.com
Probiotics: Preventing Antibiotic‐Associated Diarrhea by TG Ong, M Gordon, SSC Banks… – Cochrane Database …, 2019 – cochranelibrary.com
