With so many different probiotics, and a range of conflicting information out there, you may be left wondering, “should I give my child probiotics”?
Well first we should talk about a baby’s gut. Probiotic bacteria is introduced during vaginal birth, through breastfeeding and later on through food. If a baby is born via c-section, fed with infant formula, or has antibiotics early on in life, then this can affect the digestive system, as the gut doesn’t colonise the same. This does put these babies at a predisposition to developing gastrointestinal issues, and allergies.
What do probiotics do?
Probiotics are the “good bacteria found in breastmilk, food, some infant formulas and supplements. Evidence suggests that probiotics can help with gastrointestinal issues in children such as reflux, colic, abdominal pain, diarrhoea and constipation.
Some foods contain probiotics, and these may be introduced once a child starts weaning. Foods such as yoghurts that contain live cultures, sauerkraut, kefir and kombucha all contain probiotics.
What are prebiotics?
Prebiotics feed probiotics and help them to grow, so that “good bacteria” can develop and do it’s job. Prebiotics are the foods that the body cannot digest such as garlic, onions, leeks, bananas and asparagus, but you can also find prebiotics as a supplement.
Probiotic supplements
I’ll be honest, I have never taken a diet history from a parent of a young child and been told that their little one was eating sauerkraut or drinking kombucha, however kids do usually love their yoghurts so you may get the probiotics in this way.
As food sources of probiotics are fairly limited, it may be useful to look at supplementation. But where do you start? There are so many different probiotics available, and many have different effects on the body. The most common ones you may have seen are lactobacillus and bifidobacterium. Probiotic supplementation may not be suitable for all children, such as those who have a medical condition that compromises the immune system, so it is always worth checking with your GP or dietitian.
Probiotics are generally harmless, however some side effects have been reported such as rash, bloating and nausea, however side effects tend to be rare.
Which probiotic is best?
- Constipation – Lactobacilli and Bifidobacteria
- From birth: Optibac for babies and children or Bio-Kult Infantis
- Age 3+: Alflorex
- Diarrhoea – Lactobacillus Rhamnosus
- From birth: Optibac for babies and children or Bio -Kult Infantis
- Age 1+: Culturelle Kids
- Following antibiotic use – Lactobacillus Rhamnosus and Saccharomyces Boulardii
- From birth: Optibac for babies and children or Bio -Kult Infantis
- Age 1+: Culturelle Kids
- Colic – Lactobacillus Reuteri
- From birth: Biogaia
- Abdominal pain – Lactobacillius Rhamnosus
- From birth: Optibac for babies and children or Bio-Kult Infantis
- Age 1+ Culturelle Kids
Allergy
We know that probiotics can help when it comes to food allergy. In cow’s milk protein allergy, some of the allergy infant formulas have probiotics such as Nutramigen and some even have prebiotics and probiotics such as Neocate Syneo. These are thought to support an allergy baby to develop the gut microbiota of a healthy child, thus improving their allergy and ultimately quicker reintroduction of the allergen into the diet. Allergy should always be discussed with a medical professional, and your GP or dietitian will be best placed to support you.
If you would like to know more about probiotics, or have concerns about an allergy, please get in touch for more information via my contact page.