Anyone Have Their Baby/toddler on Probiotics?

Updated on April 19, 2009
L.T. asks from Castro Valley, CA
19 answers

I have a friend that has an 18 month old little boy that has been sick with infection after infection for the last year. He was also having problems when he tried to walk. It was either a month or two ago they had tubes put in his ears, hoping the infections would decrease. I just spoke with her and he's been sick for 3 weeks and they are putting him on another antibiotic. I'm concerned for him being on so many antibiotics since his birth and still getting sick. I suggested she speak with a nutritionist about putting him on a probiotic, meanwhile she is going to feed him lots of yogurt. Has anyone else experienced this and what did you do? Has anyone started their 18 month old on a probiotic? I have my older kids on probiotics but I don't if they can start supplements so young. Have you and which ones, how much, and any other suggestions?

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K.M.

answers from Sacramento on

I first put my duaghter on probotics at 15 months old and she had had them on and of since then.

K.

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A.C.

answers from Sacramento on

Yes, my pediatrician rec. probiotics. If you go to Whole Foods, they sell a strain that is esp. made for babies and toddlers. It gives the correct dosage.
A.

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C.A.

answers from San Francisco on

Our pedi recommended them for my daughter when she was 10 months old. She also recommended the yogurt to help also. My friends daughter had a ton of ear infections and when they would put her on antibiotics my friend HAD to give her probiotics or she would get diarrhea and a rash and the rash would bleed.
Best of luck!

1 mom found this helpful
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L.B.

answers from Sacramento on

Hi!

My little guy had a lot of health issues and I started him on a whole food supplement called Juice Plus+ around age one. It comes in a capsule, chewable or gummie. It is 17 different fruits and veggies minus the salt, sugar and water. It is micronutrition. The body knows what to do with fruits and veggies. It has some probiotics in it as well. My son is 7 now and very, very healthy! I am very wary of over antibiotic use and am so thankful a nurse shared Juice Plus with me. Our whole family loves it!
Here is my website if you want to check it outt www.StudiesOnJuicePlus.com
Good luck to your friend!

L.
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J.J.

answers from San Francisco on

My daughter is 9 1/2 months old & has been on probiotics from 3 months or so on (right before she began her first immunizations (she is on Dr. Sears selective, alternative schedule)-Dr. sears vaccination book even recommended it).
She also eats whole foods which is made up of fruits & vegetables in the form of a powder (made by Sunrider-if you want more information, let me know) that I add to every bottle & some of her purees.
She has been exposed to quite a few illnesses including the flu, a bad cold, bronchitis & has never been sick.
Here is the link to the one we eat: http://shop.sunrider.com/Shop/Product_51.asp?dept_id=10&a....
It is less expensive to buy if you are a member (just like costco has a membership to receive reduced prices)
so if you are interested, let me know & I can help you sign up or when I place my order this week, I could get it for you under my discount so you can try it... Good luck.
FYI the yogurt will never make up for the actual supplement & will add enough sugar to create more havoc....70% of our immune system is in our digestive track. This is really why, we are what we eat. All that sugar is not going to keep him healthy for long. (sugar lowers the immune system as does alcohol etc.)

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M.F.

answers from Salinas on

My daughter wasn't sick a ton but when she got antibiotics I always supplement with probiotics they make a powder that's easy to add to milk or yogurt

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S.R.

answers from Sacramento on

This is a great one to use. http://store.natren.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Store_Code... Also, I agree with one person who posted dairy can be an issue. If it is pasteurized then yes, it can wreck havoc on a body but RAW milk is fantastic and would do wonders for the little boy. My family drinks it and it was completely changed my health!

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C.T.

answers from Sacramento on

Hi L., Priobiotics are very important for a healthy gut..which affect body and brain..Yogurt with probiotics are good, but the bear flora chewable or a powder packet to add to juice would be helpful. Always check with nutritionist and practicioners first though!

You are a caring friend.
C.

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C.S.

answers from Sacramento on

L.,
I have a special needs child that has had 10 surgeries by the time he was 10 months old. I put him on probiotics the day I got him home from the ICU at 18 days old. He's had a ton of antibiotics from all the surgeries and he is doing fantastic with the probiotic. I also give him several supplements to keep him healthy. He has not had an infection of any kind, which is a miracle after all he's been through.
I've done a lot of research online on all kinds of issues we've made it through. I'd be happy to talk with your friend any time. My number is ###-###-####
Blessings,
C.

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D.H.

answers from Sacramento on

Hi L.,

I'm sure that you can and should put this baby on probiotics.

I can offer info that would help to prevent the infections and need for antibiotics.

Aloe Vera Juice and good multi vitamins can strengthen the immune system tremendously. I know of others who have successfully overcome these types of issues with two products called Aloe Plus and Fruit-a-mins. Another product called Genesis (100% juice drink) would also be a wonderful way to help this little one.

You can call me for more info if you like.

D. Hendon
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J.B.

answers from Sacramento on

L.,

Your friend needs to investigate the probability that her son has serious allergies - probably both food and environmental allergies. My youngest son was on antibiotic after antibiotic until we figured out that he had food allergies. We dramatically changed his diet and his health dramatically improved. Some of the allergies he seemed to eventually out-grow; some he still has today.

You are a good friend to be helping out. Best wishes to you and your friend. - J.

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L.S.

answers from San Francisco on

Probiotics are not interchangeable with antibiotics - and it is doubtful that their use would have any effect whatsoever on ear infections, as probiotics are recommended for DIGESTIVE health. Feeding the child lot's of yogurt won't do anything but give the baby diarreah from too much fiber, and might even make the ear infections WORSE as the lactose in the yogurt itself causes greatly increased mucous production in the ear, nose, and throat which can only make the ear infections worse.

While using probiotics in moderation for otherwise typical human body is safe and healthful, they have to be used properly to see any effect. Tell your friend to do her research, and she will find that the use of probiotics is NOT recommended to treat ear infections.

Ear infections in children are a function of their anatomy, no of anything else. Otitis media is very common in childhood, with the average toddler having two to three episodes a year, almost always accompanied by a viral upper respiratory infection (URI), mostly the common cold. Viruses that cause the common cold infect the Eustachian tube that goes from the back of the nose to the middle ear, causing swelling and compromise of pressure equalization, which is one of the normal function of the tube. The other main function is the lateral drainage of fluids from tissues on either side of the skull. It has to be remembered that the Eustachian Tube is only the width of three to four hairs in places along its length. It also changes its anatomical and physiological appearance during the early growth peroid of the child. In the newborn the tube is horizontal making it more difficult to drain naturally. As the early years pass by the superior (upper) part of the tube ossifies to bone but the lower remains the same. The angle of the tubes changes and descends to roughly a 45 degree angle increasing the downward flow of fluids.

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E.B.

answers from Sacramento on

I have to disagree with the Mommy who says probiotics are for the digestive track only. That is incorrect. Probiotics are the good bacteria that live in the digestive track and have been found to help boost the immune system. My daughter is on VSL#3 which is by prescription only. Her pediatric GI specialist wants her on it to help prevent/reduce the number of illnesses she gets. She has been on it for 6 months and only got two colds all season. It has not completely eliminated colds but it has help reduce the number and the length of the cold. Her twin sister is also on it and she has only had one cold. Both of my girls are also on a prebiotic which helps feed the good bacteria in their system. It wouldn't hurt for your friend to check with her pediatrician and share her concerns about the quantity of antibiotics. Also, it takes 6 -8 weeks for probiotics to build up in the system to be effective so starting them in the summer would help for the next cold and flu season. Good luck.

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S.S.

answers from Sacramento on

YOu have gotten great responses. I will just echo the allergy response. Allergies can cause so many problems, esp. ears. I have put my new borns on probiotics. It is totally safe. I use the babydopholus that was recommended and it works great. This will also help with allergies. I would also recommend a digestive enzyme to help his tummy. This can help decrease allergic responses as well. YOur local health food store can show which one for him. God Bless.
Stac

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L.B.

answers from San Francisco on

My oldest son had many digestive issues as well as general cold issues. I started him on a product called Might-A-Mins® Spectrum Isotonix® Probiotics. It is a children's multivitimin with probiotics, in isotonic form, which means you mix it with water, drink it, and have maximum absorbancy. He has been the picture of health ever since.
You can go to my website and view all the product details, as well as email the product label to your nutritionist also.
http://www.marketamerica.com/lynnettebenard/
You can type Probiotics in search field to go right to this product.

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C.B.

answers from San Francisco on

my chiropractor suggested it for my son who had chronic ear infection when he was younger. You buy capsules and sprinkly a bit in their food or on it. They don't know and you can just use a little bit. Yogurt would work too.. my son was allergic to dairy and not an option. it worked.
now, it could have been the weather getting nicer and and the fact that he wasn't getting anymore teeth..but I think it worked. plus when i had an ear infection my chiropractor drained my ears for me, just by pulling on them and I felt a TON better...my kid stopped getting ear infections at that point, but had he continued, I would have just gone to him and let him drain his ears.
hope that helps:)

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V.K.

answers from Sacramento on

I had my little one on probiotics before she was 18 months old so I don't think that it's a problem. It would help with the side effects of the antibiotics (diarriah) for sure. I got the flavored kind and put it in her milk.

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M.K.

answers from Chico on

babydophilus is a good one. You can sprinkle it on applesauce or baby cereal, and the dosing is on the bottle. Last year my daughter had an ear infection that was finally killed off in the third round of antibiotics! It took her poor little body about 5 weeks to get back to normal appetitite and BMs. She hasn't been as sick since then- I guess it was just a bad season! I hope the same is true for your friend's son; that he will come out of this stronger and not get so sick anymore.

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M.E.

answers from San Francisco on

ABsolutely! I have given my now 2 yr old probitotics and have been very diligent about it when she has a cold or is on antibiotics. It really helps her system balance and is amazing for getting her stool back to normal when food or ??? gets it 'off'. Ou rpediatrician recomended culturelle- it works great!Just make sure they tell the pediatrician...good luck!

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