In this Article
When a child enters your life, everything seems to revolve around the newborn. All your problems seem insignificant compared to the problems regarding the baby, and parents often find themselves asking questions regarding every single little thing. The main duty of the parent is to ensure that the child is healthy always, in all aspects.
What a baby eats plays a pivotal role in his development, right throughout childhood. Questions about the diet of the child can seem never-ending, however, there are answers to most questions, and you will definitely be able to do right for your child. Regarding the diet, there are questions no matter how old the child is- be it about breastfeeding, liquid diets or solid food. To ensure that the child grows up well, a few supplements should be provided for the child.
Probiotics are one of the best things that you can provide to your child, as he grows up. It plays a huge role in ensuring the health of the digestive system, thus affecting the nutrient absorption processes of the child in a huge manner. In this article, let us take a look at how probiotics can be a great choice for your child.
What are Probiotics?
Probiotics are mainly made up of friendly bacteria, which colonize the gut of the infant. The bacteria and fungi contained in the probiotic supplement work in tandem with the microorganisms existing already in the gut, and help them fight off any invading organisms. Probiotics or gut bacteria play a vital role in supporting the immune system of the child. The most common types of such friendly bacteria include Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, Streptococcus and Saccharomyces Boulardii.
Does Your Infant Need Probiotics?
Probiotics for newborns are not recommended by doctors, as they are considered unnecessary. A newborn child has a sterile intestine, which means that there are no bacteria present in the gastrointestinal tract. These bacteria are actually unnecessary at the time, as the baby is not exposed to any other food than breast milk. By the first birthday, children acquire healthy gut flora from the breast milk they drink, and with a diet of yoghurt also given to the child, probiotics are not deemed necessary for children. However, if the child undergoes periods of severe vomiting or diarrhoea or has recently undertaken a long course of antibiotics, doctors recommend that the child be given probiotics. These ensure that healthy gut flora return to the intestinal tract and the immune system of the child is strengthened again. Therefore, they must be given to the child if the child was administered antibiotics. Other reasons for providing probiotics to babies are an ear infection, eczema, baby thrush, diaper rash or constipation.
When Can You Introduce Probiotics to Your Child?
Probiotics can be introduced to children from an early age, as they do not have any harmful effects on the child. However, they are not necessary for children whose diet only consists of breast milk. Only after the child starts on a diet of solid food, probiotics are usually given. This is because the exposure of the child to the environment is higher, thus putting the child at risk of being attacked by dangerous microorganisms. Still, your child might be getting enough of friendly bacteria from normal food items, like yoghurt and vegetables. Probiotics are introduced earlier to children if they have been given antibiotics constantly. This is because those medicines usually remove the bacteria which have colonized the gut, making your intestinal tract gullible to infections and attacks.
Amazing Benefits of Probiotics for Infants
Probiotics literally translate to ‘for life’, which is apt considering how vital friendly bacteria in the gut are. Infants have many benefits to be gained from consuming probiotics, and a few of those are listed below.
1. No More Reflux
It has been proven that probiotic bacteria can reduce the symptoms of reflux occurring in the digestive tract of babies to a great extent. The bacteria present in the probiotics help the child digest his food well in the stomach, and simultaneously reduces the chances of reflux, dyspepsia or other similar conditions occurring.
2. Constipation
Constipation is the telltale sign of an unhealthy digestive system, especially in infants. The results of an Italian study pointed towards the fact that giving probiotics regularly to infants can improve the regularity of their bowel movement, even in infants with a history of constant constipation problems.
3. Reduces Diaper Rash
Diaper thrush or diaper rash is a common condition that is caused by yeast in babies. Probiotics containing friendly bacteria like Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium can not only help in the healing of existing rashes but also prevent these rashes from affecting the baby again. In most cases, this condition occurs as a result of usage of antibiotics for a long time.
4. Infant Thrush
Sometimes, children get oral thrush from their mothers as a result of breastfeeding through infected nipples. These rashes may become a chronic condition, and cause a lot of pain to your child- it is advisable to go to the doctor if the condition worsens. Probiotic supplements containing Acidophilus bacteria are best for preventing this condition, and the supplement is usually available in the powdered form too.
5. Reduces Eczema
Elaborate studies have found out that the consumption of probiotic bacteria can alleviate the symptoms of eczema in infants. This disease is characterized by the red, itchy rashes that occur on the skin of the baby, and it can be reduced by giving your child probiotics.
6. Gassiness in Children
The use of Probiotics for babies with gas has been proven to have great effects and has reduced the symptoms of gassiness and colic in the child. Probiotic supplements containing Lactobacillus reuteri, which is a friendly bacterium, aids digestion and also reduces inflammation of the intestines. The main cause of this condition is that the balance of harmful and friendly bacteria in the intestine has shifted towards the former, and probiotics make it balanced again.
7. Diarrhoea
Diarrhoea is characterized by frequent passing of stools, which have a liquid consistency. Diarrhoea is a symptom that all is not well in the digestive system of the child, so probiotics for babies with diarrhoea are often recommended by doctors. With these supplements recolonizing the gut, the digestive system of the baby starts to work well again quickly.
8. Infections
Are probiotics safe for infants with infections? The answer is a resounding ‘yes’. Probiotics are necessary for the re-colonization of the gut by friendly bacteria, most of which disappear because of the antibiotics course administered to the child.
Sources of Probiotics
There are two major sources of probiotics for babies, both of which are listed below:
1. Probiotic-Rich Foods for Babies
For newborns, breast milk contains enough probiotics for the digestive system of the child. These friendly bacteria colonize the gut so that the digestion of the baby proceeds smoothly. Else, infant formulas usually contain Bifidobacterium Lactis, which is also present in breast milk- this can be given to the child on a regular basis. For children who are a little older than the age of breastfeeding, food items rich in healthy bacteria can be given. Yoghurt is an example of a common food item rich in probiotic bacteria- otherwise, you can opt to give your child baby foods containing probiotics.
2. Supplements
For children and infants, probiotic supplements can be bought in the powdered form. This is not only easy to use but also easy to administer to the child. The easiest way to give probiotics to the child is to dip your finger in the powder and let your child suck the powder off your finger. Otherwise, you can also mix it into his regular diet- be it breast milk, formula or baby food. If the baby stops consuming these probiotic bacteria, it has been found that the amount of bacteria in the intestine drops to its normal levels in a matter of days.
How Can You Give Probiotics to Infants?
Probiotics are available in the liquid and powder form, both of which are easy to give to the child. The supplements in the liquid form can be mixed into the regular diet of the child, be it breast milk or solid food. It can also be given to the child directly. If the supplement is in the powdered form, you can dip your finger in it and make your child suck the powder off your finger. This also ensures that the supplement is absorbed by the body instantly.
Are There Any Side Effects of Probiotics on Babies?
There are no lasting side effects of probiotics on the baby, although there may be a few problems in the initial few days of starting probiotic intake. These are mild digestive problems, like flatulence, bloating, abdominal pain, constipation or diarrhoea. They occur as a result of the balance changing in the intestine, because of the shift to a higher number of friendly bacteria colonizing the gut. If the symptoms persist, you can try reducing the dosage and increasing it slowly.
Probiotics are a must for babies, as they greatly enhance the immunity and digestive stability of the child. They can reduce common problems like diaper rashes, eczema, constipation and diarrhoea, and play a pivotal role in the nutrition absorption of the child.
