Is it Safe to Give Your Kids Probiotics?

Are probiotics safe for children? Find out what these beneficial bacteria do and if you can safely use them to help boost your child's immune system.

Are probiotics safe for children? I am sure you have heard the word ‘probiotics’ everywhere.  You might be wondering if you should be taking them, or maybe they would be helpful for your child, or even, what are they?  Hopefully I will be able to give you a little insight as to what probiotics are, what they do, how they can help you and if they are safe for your child to take.

Are Probiotics Safe for Children?

What are Probiotics? Probiotics are good bacteria, naturally found in your body.  Due to more people being aware of the health benefits, food companies have been adding them to foods as well.  When you take antibiotics, it kills both good and bad bacteria in your body.  Taking probiotics after a  bought of antibiotics can help to boost the good bacteria in your body again, namely your digestive tract.

Are probiotics safe for children? As stated, probiotics are good bacteria.  Many foods these days consumed by adults and children say they have added probiotics or already do and are just adding it to the label.  Even infant formula contains probiotics.  Trying to keep those babies healthy early on!  Probiotics are not harmful for kids to consume.  It is simply just adding more good bacteria to the digestive system.  So where do you start?

  • Yogurt: Yogurts containing live and active cultures are a great source of probiotics.  Of course yogurt in general is good for you, but not all yogurts are created equal.  Some are better for you than others.  Organic or all natural is best for you and for your child. You can even make your own yogurt!

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  • Soft cheese: Introducing new foods to your child can be difficult, but soft cheeses like Gouda, contain probiotics and help boost the immune system.
  • Sourdough bread: While you are having your child try some new cheeses, introduce new breads.  Sourdough contains probiotics that help the digestive system.
  • Supplements: Found in capsules, powder, tablets and liquid form.  You can add them to your child’s foods.  Supplements do not provide any nutritional value that foods containing probiotics do, but they can still be helpful.  Some brands to consider are Culturelle, Garden of Life Raw Probiotics and Renew-Life.  Before giving them to your child, talk to her pediatrician first.

Probiotics are a good thing!  They will not keep you from getting sick, but they can help prevent you from getting sick.  The more healthy bacteria you have in your system, the better.  Just a rule of thumb.

Have you started taking probiotics?  Have you been giving them to your child to help boost her digestive system?  Leave your comments below!

 

 

11 thoughts on “Is it Safe to Give Your Kids Probiotics?”

  1. Great article; we just started our children on them and they seem more healthier. It has been about a month and I can tell a difference.

  2. When my youngest boy was a baby, about a year old, he took an antibiotic that left him lactose intolerant. No doctor could explain to me why he could no longer drink milk. It wasn’t until someone suggest a probiotic that his system went back to normal. He went a year on soy for no good reason.

  3. I’ve always wondered about probiotics and if/when to introduce. My kids don’t seem to have any digestive issues, but I definitely think I could benefit from introducing them into my diet.

  4. Great article. i love how you emphasized using natural products (i.e. foods vs drugs) to introduce your child to probiotics! I think that is a very important step!

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