Kids are just as susceptible to digestive issues and gut health problems as adults. In fact, many of the same conditions that affect adults also affect children, including irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), constipation, diarrhea, gas, and bloating.
And because their immune systems are still developing, they’re even more vulnerable to these problems than adults. That’s why it’s so important for parents to help keep their little ones healthy by giving them child probiotics!
Probiotics can help your child get back on track with a healthy diet and lifestyle while strengthening his or her immune system against future illnesses.
The best part is that there are several different brands of probiotics available today that make it easy for parents like you to give your child the right supplement at the right time in his or her life!
Why should I give my child probiotics?
People need to take care of their stomachs. You can’t get better if you don’t have healthy bacteria in your stomach. Kids need healthy bacteria, too!
Probiotics are good bacteria for your stomach. They help you digest food and absorb more nutrients from it, which means more energy!
You can get probiotics by eating certain foods like yogurt or taking a supplement.
Most kids aren’t eating enough of the right kinds of food to give their digestive system a big boost so supplements are a great idea.
Benefits of probiotics for kids
Probiotics are a great way to help your children’s gut health. Probiotics for kids are an excellent choice because it helps to keep their digestive tract healthy and balanced, which will reduce the risk of allergies, stomach cramps, and many other conditions.
The best thing about probiotics is that they can be taken as a dietary supplement or through fermented foods such as yogurt, kefir, and kombucha tea.
However, if you decide to introduce them to your child’s diet, you can be sure they’ll come out healthier than ever before.
Every year, there are more and more studies that reveal the benefits of probiotics for kids. This is something easy to show because it involves children suffering from different kinds of conditions, starting from stomach aches and allergies to asthma, eczema, or even autism.
Probiotics have been shown to help in all these cases because they contribute to the production of good bacteria in the digestive tract. Good bacteria allow the body to absorb nutrients and also help eliminate toxins.
When should probiotics be given?
Of course, even if you decide to go with any of these options, the most important thing is that your child becomes accustomed to taking probiotics on a daily basis. The more they take, the stronger their health will be in the future.
If you have already started introducing probiotics for kids into your child’s diet, consider these tips to help them become regular users:
1) Start them out young – going from a breastfeeding diet to a jar of yogurt, the transition should be very easy.
2) Use it as a part of a meal – they will be more inclined to eat it if they see it as part of their meal, rather than a separate thing.
3) Consider making it yourself – homemade yogurt is healthier for your child because you can control the ingredients and make sure everything is organic. Also, this will encourage them to try different fruits!
4) Make probiotics educational – the more you talk about it with them, the more they will understand why probiotics are so important.
5) Be a good role model – tell them how much your kids love taking their probiotics and consider having them taste yours to show that it’s pleasant.
6) Have patience – getting your child to take probiotics can be a long and frustrating process. Patience is key and it’s important to remember that if they didn’t like it at first, you shouldn’t give up after just one or two tries!
7) Try different brands – there are many probiotic for kids options on the market today. Always try to experiment with the brand until you find the one your child likes best.
What type of probiotic should I give them?
A child should be taking a minimum of three different strains of bacteria for a healthy gut environment. Children with an unhealthy gut will experience more intestinal infections and less absorption of vitamins from their food.
Probiotics also help to reduce inflammation in the body so it is advantageous for children with allergies or asthma as well as those who have been diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder or ADHD.
The type of probiotic you give them depends on what symptoms they are experiencing such as digestive problems, skin issues, immune system weakness, etc… Discuss this issue with your doctor or naturopath.
The most common strains of probiotics are Lactobacillus Acidophilus, Bifidobacterium infants, and B. Longum, Lactobacillus Casei, Lactobacillus GG, Streptococcus thermophilus, Bacillus subtilis, and Saccharomyces boulardii.
Probiotics are a supplement and not a treatment for any illness therefore there is less of a need to worry about side effects.
How do I know whether my child needs a probiotic or not?
There are a few ways to know whether your child needs a probiotic.
First, it’s possible that they have been diagnosed with an intestinal disorder or allergy and their doctor has recommended taking one.
Secondly, if your child is experiencing chronic diarrhea or constipation, the doctor may also recommend trying this remedy for relief.
Finally, if you suspect that your child suffers from an underlying digestive issue such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) then you might want to consult with their physician before beginning any treatment program.
Best way to get your child to take a daily dose of probiotics
Probiotics for kids may be administered in a variety of ways:
1) Yogurt contains natural probiotic cultures and is easy to consume. You can find them flavored or plain and you can make them yourself at home with organic plain yogurt and some pureed fruit.
2) Kefir is a similar product to yogurt, but with higher probiotic content. This makes it better for kids because the good bacteria are stronger.
3) Fermented foods such as sauerkraut or miso can be mixed into their food or consumed on their own.
4) Pickled veggies, such as pickles or kimchi, can be a great addition to sandwiches.
5) A daily dietary supplement that the child will enjoy taking is a probiotic pill.
6) For parents who are dedicated to maximizing their children’s health and immune system, should consider getting them an omega- 3 fish oil supplement.
What happens if I give them more than the recommended dose on the bottle?
There are some brands that do not have specific dosage amounts on their bottles, in this case, you should follow your doctor’s recommendations.
Do pediatricians recommend probiotics?
Pediatricians recommend probiotics for a variety of reasons. For example, the World Health Organization recommends that all children should be given a daily dose of probiotics to prevent diarrhea and other complications.
The American Academy of Paediatrics also endorses this practice because it can help to maintain a child’s normal gut flora which is essential in preventing infection from bad bacteria or yeast, reducing inflammation, and regulating the immune system.
In addition, it may help with conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and ulcerative colitis, so if your child has been diagnosed with one of these diseases then talk to their doctor about getting them on a course of probiotics.Â
However, there are some risks associated with taking probiotics if your child is ill or has a weakened immune system, so you should always check with a doctor before getting them on a course.
Pediatricians usually recommend that children take a daily dose of probiotics in the form of a capsule, powder, or liquid which they can mix into their food. If giving capsules to your child, it’s best to get them to take the capsules immediately before or after each meal.
Final thoughts
Probiotics are a great way to help your child’s digestive system and overall wellness. But, before you give them to your little one, make sure they’re the right type of probiotic for their age group and that you have an understanding of how long it takes for these bacteria to take effect.
The timing of probiotic supplementation can be important for your child. If you want to give your child probiotics, the best time is just before bedtime. This will help them sleep better and have less trouble in school where they are surrounded by germs that could make their immune system weak.
If any part of this is unclear or if you want more information on which types of probiotics may be best suited for different stages in life (infant, toddler), speak to your doctor.
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