Although it seems logical to keep infants in a safe and clean environment, it is actually necessary to introduce babies to bacteria. There are millions of bacteria inside the human body, but the trick is to maintain the balance between the good and the bad bacteria. By supplementing infants with good bacteria, or probiotics, both their digestive and immune system will be improved.
Probiotics for infants are beneficial bacteria that help treat and even prevent some illnesses. Food containing probiotics are highly popular in Northern Europe, such as yogurt. In Japan, probiotic infused drinks are also becoming a big hit because of the many health benefits they provide. Probiotics are used to treat infant diarrhea, eczema, and many other health conditions involving pre-term infants.
Aside from yogurt, probiotics are also abundant in cottage cheese, keifer, pickles, and aged cheese. You can also buy probiotic supplements in health stores, whether infant probiotic drops, chewable, powder, or in capsule form. When introducing good bacteria to infants, it is best to buy probiotics in powder form as it can be easily mixed into formula, milk, or juice.
Probiotics for babies, children and adults are widely known to help treat digestive issues such as diarrhea and vomiting. If your child went through a course of antibiotics recently, giving infant probiotics can be a good option to restore the balance between harmful and beneficial bacteria in the infant’s body. In many cases, allergies, colic, and respiratory issues have been successfully treated with probiotics.
Because probiotics are becoming a controversial issue, several studies and researches have been conducted to clarify the benefits as well as the implications of taking live microorganisms. It has been proven that the main function of probiotics is to prevent harmful bacteria to breed and infect the intestine. Once the intestine is colonized but pathogenic microorganisms, the body will find it hard to resist infectious diseases affecting the intestinal tract.
Including probiotics in your baby’s diet will significantly improve your infant’s gastrointestinal immunity. Live microorganisms are a natural and a healthy part of the digestive system, and they help treat a wide range of infant health problems. Pediatricians often recommend Probiotics as a safe treatment option for digestive problems including skin rashes and allergies.
Ask your pediatrician if introducing probiotics to your baby’s diet is a wise decision. It is strongly recommended that you ask your doctor’s professional opinion before giving supplements to your baby. While generally accepted as safe and effective, it is still possible for your child to develop an allergic reaction towards probiotics.
References:
The Harvard Medical School Family Health Guide: Health Benefits of Taking Probiotics
International Association of Infant Food Manufacturers: Probiotics in Infant Nutrition