What is the best probiotic for breastfed babies?

Understanding Probiotics for Breastfed Babies
As parents increasingly seek ways to enhance their infants’ health, the question of whether to introduce probiotics to breastfed babies has gained significant attention. Probiotics, often referred to as “good bacteria,” are live microorganisms that can confer health benefits when consumed in adequate amounts. For breastfed infants, the right probiotic can play a crucial role in supporting their developing immune systems and gut health.
The Benefits of Probiotics
Research indicates that probiotics can be beneficial for infants, particularly in supporting their gut microbiome. Breastfed babies naturally receive beneficial bacteria from their mothers through breast milk, which is rich in nutrients and antibodies. However, supplementing with probiotics can further enhance this microbial diversity. Probiotics like Bifidobacterium infantis are particularly noteworthy, as they are commonly found in the gastrointestinal tracts of breastfed infants and are essential for healthy digestion.
Probiotics can help alleviate common digestive issues in infants, such as colic, gas, and constipation. For instance, studies have shown that administering Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG and Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis can significantly reduce symptoms of fussiness and digestive discomfort. Furthermore, the introduction of probiotics may lead to a more balanced gut microbiome, which is crucial for overall health and immune function.
Recommended Probiotics for Breastfed Babies
When considering probiotics for breastfed infants, Bifidobacterium infantis stands out as a top choice. This strain not only aligns with the natural bacteria present in breast milk but also has been shown to persist in the gut for up to a year, providing long-term benefits. Other beneficial strains include Lactobacillus rhamnosus and Lactobacillus reuteri, both of which have demonstrated effectiveness in reducing gastrointestinal issues.
It’s important to note that while probiotics can be beneficial, they should be introduced with caution. Parents are advised to consult with pediatricians before starting any probiotic regimen, especially since the infant gut microbiome is still developing and can be sensitive to changes.
Safety and Considerations
The safety of probiotics for infants has been a topic of discussion among healthcare professionals. Generally, probiotics are considered safe for healthy infants, but there are exceptions. Infants with compromised immune systems or underlying health conditions should avoid probiotics unless specifically recommended by a healthcare provider.
Moreover, while probiotics can offer benefits, they are not a substitute for breast milk. Breastfeeding remains the best source of nutrition for infants, providing essential nutrients and antibodies that support their growth and development.
Conclusion
In summary, the best probiotic for breastfed babies is likely Bifidobacterium infantis, along with other strains like Lactobacillus rhamnosus. These probiotics can support digestive health and bolster the immune system, making them a valuable addition to an infant’s diet when used appropriately. As always, parents should consult with healthcare professionals to ensure the best choices for their baby’s health and well-being.

Which infant probiotic is best?

Best Infant Probiotic for Colic

• Lactobacillus reuteri is one of the most well-researched probiotics for managing colic in infants.
• Bifidobacterium breve is another powerful probiotic for infants with colic.
• Bifidobacterium infantis is another probiotic strain that has been shown to reduce reflux in infants.

Which probiotic is best while breastfeeding?

infantis EVC001 is one of the best probiotics for breastfed babies because it lowers the pH levels in your baby’s poop. When mixed with breast milk and fed to baby daily, Evivo has been shown to clear up diaper rash within days, so baby is more comfortable—and so are you.

Do probiotics transfer through breastmilk?

Maternal probiotic supplements effectively orchestrate the breast milk and infant gut microbiome with a wide range of clinical benefits and safety. Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, Streptococcus thermophilus, and S. boulardii can be used as maternal supplements to promote infant health.

Do probiotics pass through breast milk?

Probiotic bacteria of the genus Lactobacillus show multidirectional pro-health effects on the human body. Their presence in breast milk seems to be extremely valuable in shaping the correct microbiota of breastfed infants. It is particularly important to provide probiotic strains to premature babies.

Will a probiotic help a gassy baby?

A: Unfortunately, there is not a lot of data about using probiotics to treat gas in infants. Probiotics may help other pediatric conditions such as the duration of acute diarrhea, and while deemed mostly harmless in otherwise healthy infants, they have not been shown to affect gas.

Which supplement is best for breastfeeding mothers?

If you’re breastfeeding, you should consider taking a 10mcg daily vitamin D supplement. If your baby is only having breast milk (no first infant formula top-ups), you should give them a daily vitamin D supplement of 8.5 to 10mcg.

Do pediatricians recommend probiotics for babies?

Probiotics in Formula
But the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) doesn’t recommend the use of probiotics for children and babies, because studies so far have found no evidence that they have health benefits. It’s also not clear whether they might cause side effects.

Do probiotics show up in breastmilk?

In fact, specific strains that have been consumed by the mum in the form of a probiotic have been found later in the breast milk. A study by Nasiraii et al (2011) gave Lactobacillus rhamnosus LC705 to 10 out of 20 women for 30 days. All the women involved in the study were breastfeeding 1-6 month old babies.

When should I start giving my baby probiotics?

There is also a sizeable literature concerning use of probiotics (also referred to as prebiotics and synbiotics) in the modulation of atopy in high risk infants (5,6). In all of these studies, I am unaware of a recommendation not to give probiotics or prebiotics to infants less than 6-12 months of age.

Should I give a breastfed baby probiotics?

Infant probiotics may help formula-fed babies (who don’t receive any natural probiotics in cow’s milk) with gas and/or constipation or diarrhea. However, there is no reason to give an exclusively breastfed baby probiotics – they are already getting hundreds of millions of good bacteria in mom’s milk naturally.