Probiotics for Kids: Does Your Child Need Them?
This blog post was written in partnership with Wakunaga. I have been compensated for my time and writing. As always, my thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.
Have you ever wondered whether your child might benefit from taking a probiotic supplement?
As parents, we all want to provide our kids with the nutrients they need to thrive and grow, and we want to help them feel their best every day. So know that you are not alone if you’ve ever wondered whether taking probiotic supplements are generally recommended for kids or a necessary part of supporting their optimal health. Especially when you consider how confusing it is to cruise down the aisles at the grocery store amidst the sea of kid-friendly, probiotic-containing foods and probiotic supplements for kids. Where do you even start?
In this post, we’ll cover what probiotics are, which foods contain them, whether probiotic supplements are recommended for kids—and under what circumstances, and how to choose the best probiotics for kids in the event that your child might benefit from one.
What are probiotics?
Sometimes referred to “friendly bugs,” or “good bacteria,” probiotics are live microbes that, when administered in adequate amounts, provide a health benefit to the host. Probiotics can be found in both foods and supplements, and there are many different strains.
What are the health benefits of probiotics for kids?
While research on the human microbiome and probiotics is ongoing, there is a lot we still don’t know, particularly when it comes to probiotics for children.
More research is needed in order for us to have a settled understanding of the potential benefits of specific types of probiotics, the amount of bacteria that is best, dosing, and treatment regimens for kids.
In the meantime, what we do know is that the effects of probiotics are considered to be strain-specific, meaning that not all strains of bacteria (or types of bacteria) will help with all concerns, so it’s important to talk with your doctor or registered dietitian first before offering your child a probiotic (or any other) supplement.
In general, probiotics may help reduce digestion problems by providing good bacteria to help balance out the harmful bacteria in the gut. When the gut microbiome is disturbed by an external factor (like a course of antibiotics), probiotics may help restore the body’s balance of beneficial gut bacteria to a healthier state.
Certain strains of probiotics may help support immune health and reduce the frequency of respiratory tract infections in daycare centers.
Probiotic supplements have also been shown to be helpful in the treatment of infectious gastroenteritis in children as well as the prevention of antibiotic-associated diarrhea.
While not recommended as the single and only line of defense against functional constipation in children, probiotics may help promote bowel regularity as well.
Which foods contain probiotics?
Probiotics can be found naturally in functional foods like fermented vegetables and tempeh, but they can also be added to or mixed in with other foods. One of the most common probiotic-rich foods is yogurt, a convenient, nutrient-rich option that offers a variety of health benefits for people of all ages.
What are the best probiotic foods for kids?
Probiotics are found in many kid-friendly foods, including:
Kefir (a fermented milk drink with naturally occurring probiotics)
Cheese (some types)
Miso
Cottage cheese (some types)
Fermented vegetables (including sauerkraut and kimchi) can contain live and active cultures as well, but fermented foods tend to taste tart or sour, so don’t give up if you find that your child rejects these foods at first. It can take several exposures before a child will adjust to and accept them, but with time and patience, it will happen!
When grocery shopping, check the bottom of the ingredients list on the food label to determine whether a product contains probiotics. You might see common groups of probiotics listed, like Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium.
You can also find probiotic-containing products by looking for foods that contain the “Live Active Cultures” seal on their packaging.
Does my child need a probiotic supplement?
Probably not. While probiotic supplements have not been found to be harmful in healthy kids, most healthy children don’t generally need them. We can support a healthy and diverse microbiome by building probiotic-rich foods into the diet and helping kids learn to like and accept a variety of probiotic-rich foods like yogurt, kefir, and kimchi.
However, if you’re already a parent, you’re likely well aware that serving specific foods to a child doesn’t guarantee that your child will eat them!
As a pediatric dietitian and child feeding expert, I try to help families address any nutrient gaps in a child’s diet using food first, but when you are dealing with a picky eater, targeted supplements (like probiotics) can help while we work with the child to increase food acceptance and dietary variety over time. (If you are struggling to navigate picky eating behaviors in our kids, my FREE guide to reducing picky eating will help).
In conversation with your doctor or registered dietitian, probiotic supplements may be helpful for kids under specific circumstances, including:
Preventing the uncomfortable digestive side effects associated with antibiotics
Helping improve chronic constipation in kids for whom management has been challenging (Lactobacilli and Bifidobacteria are strains of probiotics that may help increase the frequency of bowel movements by promoting the movement of food through the digestive tract)
Helping improve loose stools, stomach pain, bowel regularity, and/or managing the symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
Always talk with your pediatrician or registered dietitian first, before introducing any new supplements to your child, including probiotics. It’s important to remember that although probiotics are generally safe, they are not recommended for acutely or chronically ill children due to the potential risk of illness or complications.
How to choose the best probiotics for kids
Before purchasing any probiotic (or other) supplements for your child, talk with your child’s pediatrician and/or registered dietitian and ask for guidance about products that contain the specific strains of probiotics that may help address your concerns.
Your healthcare provider can help you choose a reputable brand that maintains strict quality standards and rigorous testing to ensure purity and integrity.
The number of live microorganisms found in a probiotic is displayed as Colony Forming Units (CFUs) on the supplement label. There is currently no recommended duration or dose, so follow your healthcare provider’s guidance on how much to take and for how long.
When my kids have struggled in the past with digestive issues, constipation, and bowel regularity, we’ve had great success with Kyo-Dophilus Kids Probiotic, a product made by a trusted supplement company (Wakunaga) that has been making high-quality, NSF GMP-certified, Nutrasource third-party tested supplements for over 50 years.
I like that it tastes like vanilla birthday cake and is an allergy-friendly (dairy-free, soy-free, gluten-free) option with no artificial colors. It’s also convenient because it doesn’t require refrigeration, unlike many other probiotic supplements on the market.
To learn more about Kyo-Dolphilus Kids Probiotic and probiotics in general, visit probiotics.com.
Cheers to your good health!