Parents today do tons of research to find the best ways to protect their children against illnesses and enhance their overall health. Recently, the use of probiotics has come to light as being extremely beneficial for children – they’re not just for adults anymore!
What are Probiotics?
It’s natural for many parents to take caution when introducing something new and unfamiliar to your child’s regular nutritional regimen. In fact, many parents are unfamiliar with what exactly probiotics are. Probiotics are living microorganisms that scientific research has shown to benefit human health.
In many cases, they are similar to, or the same as, the microbes already found in a healthy digestive tract.
How Do You Take Them?
While children can get probiotics naturally in foods such as yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut, and even sour pickles, parents can take additional measures to make sure their kids are taking in beneficial amounts of good bacteria. Natural supplements such as baby probiotic drops from brands like Mommy’s Bliss use Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG, which is the most widely studied probiotic in the world, with more than 800 scientific publications attesting to the safety and healthfulness of these beneficial bacteria. Even infant formulas are joining in on the game by adding probiotics into formulas, in hopes of stabilizing the infant’s GI system and decreasing issues such as poor digestion and gas early on.
Why Are They Useful?
Probiotics can be used in a variety of ways, one of which being a treatment to cure or alleviate the symptoms of a certain illness. As a treatment, probiotic drops can be used when children are on antibiotics to make sure the antibiotics do not kill off too much good bacteria. Some parents even use them internally as ways to treat external and topical rashes such as eczema. The Rotavirus (a common stomach virus among children) is another key time when many parents use probiotics to help alleviate stomach cramping, gas and diarrhea.
Probiotics can also be used as a preventative measure. There are countless studies showing the benefits of regular probiotic intake. Some link the use of these to increased immunity and protection against colds and flu, while others use them to protect against ear infections, respiratory infections and general immunity.
Do Your Homework
While there are undoubtedly benefits to utilizing probiotics with every member of your family, caution should always be taken before introducing something new into your little ones’ diets. The most important thing parents can do in this regard is research the products thoroughly, and speak with a family pediatrician.
Tammy Gold is a licensed therapist, certified parent coach and author of Secrets of the Nanny Whisperer. She appears regularly on Good Morning America, and has been featured in more than 100 magazines and news outlets nationwide. tammygold.com.
