Probiotics serve to assist the body in remedying and/or preventing these symptoms by activating the immune system.
Why Might an Infant Need Additional Probiotics?
- Bowel issues including diarrhea and constipation.
- Asthma and allergies.
- Infant colic.
- Acne and eczema.
- Upper respiratory infections.
The researchers found that, contrary to many a weary parent's hopes, the probiotic supplements may actually worsen babies' discomfort. The findings counter previous studies that reported that probiotics could help reduce crying in colicky babies.
A study published in JAMA Pediatrics suggested that giving infants up to 3 months old probiotics helped reduce constipation, acid reflux and colic in children.
Do they actually help with babies' gas and digestion? I wish I could say with certainty that, yes, probiotics help with babies' gas and digestion.
Enfamil Enspire Infant Formula
Still, the American Academy of Pediatrics has never recommended probiotics for babies, so it may be best to avoid them during the first few months. Luckily, there is a happy ending: the infection only resulted in sensitivity and crying, and the baby was home by the time he reached one month old.
It is organic and is free of preservatives, alcohol, parabens, gluten, dairy, soy, and artificial ingredients. It also contains the probiotic, LactoSpore, which has shown a history of safety, stability, and efficacy in infants to promote a healthy digestive and immune system.
Babies taking probiotics, however, had significantly more bowel movements than babies on the placebo after two, four, and eight weeks, suggesting an improvement in their constipation. At the beginning of the study, the probiotic babies had, on average, less than three bowel movements per week.
A baby is more likely to experience stomach discomfort when unable to pass gas. Some babies cry for several hours over days or weeks. Since the herbs in gripe water theoretically help with digestion, this remedy is thought to help with colic caused by gassiness. Gripe water is also used for teething pain and hiccups.
Research shows that some probiotics can help prevent antibiotic-related diarrhea in children. For this reason, pediatricians often recommend that kids take probiotics whenever they're on antibiotics.
Treatments at home
- Keep your baby hydrated. Keep breastfeeding if you're nursing.
- Ask your pediatrician about electrolyte drinks for babies like Pedialyte.
- Change your baby's diaper often.
- If your little one is eating solid foods, give them bits of foods that may help soothe diarrhea.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) considers them a supplement. Therefore, they are not regulated like medications nor proven to be safe. There is no official recommended dose for infants at this time. Some of them have side effects that cause allergic reactions, stomach pain, diarrhea, and gas and bloating.
Generally, taking probiotics while breastfeeding is safe for all parties involved. The bacteria from probiotics aren't a foreign body and is only a way of replenishing the lost healthy bacteria. Therefore, both the mother and baby can benefit from the benefits of taking a probiotic supplement.
An increase in stomach gas or bloating may occur. If this effect persists or worsens, notify your doctor or pharmacist promptly. Tell your doctor right away if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur: signs of infection (such as high fever, chills, persistent cough).
