Whether it’s a new baby, a tummy bug or just a general gut health checkup, children’s probiotic are an easy way to support your child’s digestive and immune system.
A healthy intestinal flora helps to prevent a weakened immune system, allergies, digestive problems and skin conditions such as eczema. But when a newborn’s intestinal bacteria are disrupted by C-sections, breastfeeding and antibiotic use, their flora can be altered resulting in a host of digestive issues including colic, food intolerances and a weakened immune system later in life.
There are many different probiotics that can help with a wide range of problems but they tend to fall into two main groups: Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium. Both of these types have been shown to reduce diarrhea.
The Power of Probiotics for Kids: A Guide to Boosting Your Child’s Health and Immunity
It’s difficult to know which strain of probiotic will be most effective, however. In some cases, a combination of several can be the best option. For example, studies have shown that a mix of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG) and Saccharomyces boulardii can help to reduce diarrhea and improve the consistency of stools for children with irritable bowel syndrome.
Some strains of probiotic have also been shown to be helpful for gastrointestinal symptoms such as bloating, wind and a weakened immune system. For these reasons, it’s important to choose a probiotic that has a wide variety of strains.
Probiotic supplements come in the form of capsules, tablets and gummies. Chewable options like Optibac Kids Gummies are a fun alternative for kids ages 1 and up that contain the highly researched Bacillus coagulans Unique-IS2 (a probiotic strain backed by hundreds of children’s trials) as well as a dose of prebiotic fiber to encourage good bacteria growth.