Apr
16
2010
Acidophilus/Probiotics? About infants and small children. What age?
Posted by: Alan in Probiotics, tags: About, Acidophilus/Probiotics, children., Infants, small
Can you give infants acidophilus to keep their immune system strong?
Thank you for your expert advice in advance.
Entries (RSS)
April 16th, 2010 at 7:24 pm
You can give infants probiotics. It’s really good for them prior to immunizations.
April 16th, 2010 at 7:25 pm
i wouldnt unless my doc said it was needed
April 16th, 2010 at 8:24 pm
I would consult a doctor as infant digestive tracts can be very sensitive and about dosage as well. I know at about age 8 months babies can start having yogurt, which has these bacteria. Side note: I know this bacteria is great to give anytime a child has antibiotics. It prevents the bad diarrhea and keeps the good bacteria in the child’s system. Plus it does prevent ear infections and the like.
April 16th, 2010 at 9:20 pm
If you are exclusively breastfeeding (or using pumped breastmilk) it is best to take them yourself and they will be passed to the baby (more so than drugs). The benefits of the “virgin gut” (not giving anything by mouth) are much greater than the benefits of giving probiotics directly (particularly since healthy bacteria are passed in high amounts through milk)
If you are formula feeding or the breastfed baby is on solids then just give it directly. (I don’t bother mixing it with anything as is instructed below, I find it doesn’t dissolve properly. Also you can get toddler ones that dissolve in the mouth and are very tiny)
Some formula now adds probiotics, this of course does not make it “like breastmilk” no matter what they say.
http://www.askdrsears.com/html/8/T080400.asp
HOW TO TAKE IT
Acidophilus is available at most health food and nutrition stores. It comes in two forms –- capsules and powder.
* Adults – take the capsules as directed on the bottle.
* children – capsules are ok if able to swallow, otherwise give 1 teaspoon of the powder once a day in milk, juice, or food.
* Infants – make a paste using water or breastmilk and rub this once a day in baby’s mouth, or put 1 teaspoon of the powder in formula once a day if bottlefeeding.
http://www.askdrsears.com/html/8/T080401.asp
LACTOBACILLUS GG
Lactobacillus GG (LGG) is a probiotic strain of “friendly” bacteria found in the intestines (called flora) and needed to maintain a healthy balance in the human digestive system. LGG is currently considered the “gold standard” of probiotics, having been the subject of more than 250 human clinical trials. In certain situations that are stressful on the body (especially when taking antibiotics), good bacterial flora can get depleted and must be replenished. The live LGG strain can be ingested in the form of a natural dietary supplement like Culturelle®, and some of its clinically proven health benefits include:
* Assists intestinal functioning
* Enhances and supports the body’s natural defenses
* Helps maintain healthy intestinal flora
* Helps manage the symptoms associated with occasional colic
* Helps prevent symptoms associated with occasional upset stomach
* Helps reduce symptoms associated with bowel and stomach discomfort
* Promotes regularity
Dr. Sears suggests: Culturelle®, one capsule daily.
WHO CAN TAKE IT
* Culturelle® is clinically proven safe and effective for all ages including infants, children and pregnant women.