Healthy gut flora in the baby is the dream of every mother because then the baby is active, cheerful, and feels great. Probiotics help form the infant’s immune system, do not allow pathogenic bacteria to multiply, and in general have a beneficial effect on the baby’s well-being. But the number of significant scientific studies on the benefits of probiotics for infants is limited. However, some of the last note that the gut microbiota is most malleable during a baby’s first years of life. And that is when probiotics have the most acute effect. Consequently, it makes sense to use this fact to improve infant health. And there is already evidence that probiotic bacteria can provide relief from digestive disorders and infant colic.
Probiotics have long been used in infant formula or supplements designed for newborns. But here comes reasonable questions: Are probiotics safe for babies, and do they provide any benefits to your little one?
What do you know about probiotics?
Probiotics have come to center stage in the last decades because of their expected health benefits. Probiotic is a collective term that includes many different strains of beneficial organisms, primarily bacteria, that help keep the GI tract healthy and help maintain a good balance of bacteria.
Usually, in supplements and baby food production, you can find the two most common probiotic strains :
There are chances that you already have these beneficial bacteria in your body. In order to increase their number, you should add probiotics to your diet as supplements.
But babies are born with a sterile digestive system, which can be stressed by adjusting to the new life circumstances. This is where probiotics can support your little one’s digestive system. They can help fill the baby’s intestines more quickly with beneficial bacteria.
Do newborns need probiotics?
No matter what type of food is consumed, beneficial bacteria in the GI tract can improve gut flora and thus boost immunity. And while the promise of enhancing digestion is undoubtedly enticing, probiotics have not yet been proven to be a “magic pill.” But at the same time, no one has confirmed that giving them to healthy children is harmful.
Newborns have specific conditions for which probiotics can be especially helpful. Infant colic is most common in babies in their first year of life. These conditions can be quite challenging to treat. Baby probiotics can ease colic symptoms and help babies cry less.
But the positive effects of probiotics are likely to persist if they are taken actively.
Healthy children of all ages can benefit from a probiotic supplement. If a probiotic supplement is needed, your pediatrician will tell you the appropriate dosage and frequency of taking it. Probiotics can be prescribed for children from birth. It is important to mention that breastfed babies do not need probiotics because they have enough beneficial bacteria in their gut. However, in any case, be sure to visit a pediatrician before giving a probiotic to a newborn. After all, it is vital to keep your baby safe and healthy.