Are you a new parent who's fretting over how to keep your baby healthy? Are you having sleepless nights worrying about your baby's digestion? Fear not, there is hope! By introducing probiotics into your little one's diet, you can help maintain their gut health and build immunity against harmful bacteria in their early years. But when is the right time to start giving probiotics to babies?
We've got all the information that you need on this topic so get ready for some gut-wrenching fun!
What are Probiotics?
Let’s first understand what exactly probiotics are. They’re live microorganisms (typically bacteria or yeast) that bring about a plethora of health benefits for humans when consumed in sufficient quantities. These “friendly” bacteria have shown evidence of improving digestive function, boosting immunity levels, adding nutrients to our bodies (yum!), and even reducing symptoms associated with certain allergies or infections.
While they may seem like an all-in-one solution for our body troubles, it's important to note that just like people don't always get along great with everyone they meet (I'm looking at you, Karen from accounting!), the same could be said for different strains of probiotic bacteria.
So Why Should Babies Take Probiotics?
Babies have developing immune systems and immature guts which makes them more susceptible to infections caused by harmful microbes. This makes it vital for parents/carers/guardians/old lady next door taking care of your kid (we're inclusive here folks) to make sure their digestive system receives good quality nutrition necessary for growth while minimizing exposure in infancy/early childhood-age period. That’s where probiotics come in -they can benefit babies' health from birth through toddlerhood.
Benefits Of Taking Probitocs For Kids
Here are some ways incorporating these little guys could help your baby:
- Better Digestive Health: Babies given probiotics experienced lower instances of colic, acid reflux, constipation, and diarrhea.
- Stronger Immune System: Probiotics can help reduce the risk of infections due to build-up of ‘good” bacteria in babies’ bellies.
- Prevention Of Allergies & Asthma: Studies have shown that children given probiotics are less likely to develop allergies or asthma later in life.
- Fewer Antibiotics Needed: Parents who fed their babies with probiotic foods reportedly brought down visits to pediatricians for antibiotic treatment.
Types Available
There are different types of strains available under the broad umbrella term “probiotic”. While all may provide a host health benefits (e.g. Lactobacillus), some specific strains may be tailored toward certain symptoms (Flip-to-the-page 3...).
When Can You Consider Giving Your Baby Probiotics?
The timing for introducing these helpful organisms is crucial-much like being on time for our nail appointments! Here's when you should consider feeding your little bundle-of-poop happiness (because if we say anything else we’ll get complaints) with some good 'ol bacteria buddies!
Age Milestones To Keep In Mind
As a general rule of thumb-it’s best practice to consult your pediatrician or healthcare professional prior when making decisions about which strain/type/dosage schedules would suit.
Some key things you need to keep mind while introducing them into infant's diet -
- For exclusively breastfed infants, it is recommended they begin taking these supplements only when they have started consuming solid food (at around 4+ months).
- Infants who aren’t being breastfed full-time but still getting adequate milk intake not requiring solid food should wait until after the age group achieves this milestone before adding into their dietary plans too!
- Preterm infants are believed to benefit from introducing probiotics early on as well.
- Children with pre-existing health conditions that impact their gut function may also be recommended.
Types Of Probiotics To Include In Your Baby’s Diet
So you’ve had the green light from your pediatrician -- which bacteria varieties should you introduce into your little one’s diet? Here's a brief breakdown of some strains:
Lactobacillus reuteri
This strain has been studied extensively in infants and has revealed results linking its consumption to the prevention of colic, constipation, infections and allergies amongst other things. Interesting right?
Bifidobacterium lactis
Another popular type is this! It can improve the child's respiratory immunity response against yucky pathogens!
Looks like Yogurt just got bumped off our breakfast menus for baby diets (at least in my house anyway!)-and that’s because yogurt contains these two types; however, before giving them commercially available “baby yoghurt” or supplements it would wise to consult about nutritional benefits/proportions (even if we’re all guilty of emptying a tub of Ben & Jerry's sometimes 😛)
Conclusion
While there is no definitive consensus when babies should start taking probiotics - keeping up with scientific literature/recommendations certainly helps parents understand what lead-up factors/differentiation criteria need to be considered, by healthcare providers/family members or guardians engaging with different interventions aimed at ensuring healthier guts/bellies early in life period(which rhymes-guys!!).
So there you have it -introducing probiotics during infancy/early childhood-years positively affects digestive function/improves immunity levels greatly reducing risk exposure seen prevalent among those who don't incorporate such measures into their routine activities (now who said probed people aren’t cool!).