4 Best Infant Probiotic Drops to Boost Your Baby’s Immune System
Some babies often experience colic and gas which make them very fussy and uncomfortable. But thanks to the help of probiotics, this can be prevented. That’s why finding the best infant probiotic drops is important to help your baby’s digestion. Other than that, infant probiotics can provide many other benefits for your baby.
In this post, we will be discussing the benefits of probiotics and how it can help to strengthen baby’s immune system as well as a taking probiotic as a boost to general health. Also, we will look at which are the best probiotic drops for babies and some probiotic strands definitions. Let’s keep on reading.
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List of Best Infant Probiotic Drops
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*For more information about NCS (Net Customer Satisfaction) grade, click here. (Price range: $ = $1 - $50 / $$ = $51 - $100 / $$$ = $101 -$150 / $$$$ = $151 - $200 / $$$$$ = $201 - $250 /$$$$$$ = Above $250)
Probiotic Strands
Numerous bacteria are living in the stomach and there is three most beneficial type of live cultures to look for in a probiotic supplement are:
B. Bifidum
This is one of the first strains that will live in your baby’s intestinal tract and these stay on the walls better than other strains. It’s a type of bacteria that help digestion and nutrient absorption.
Other benefits include improving skin conditions like eczema, and yeast infections. Additionally, this strain helps other issues like constipation, diarrhea, lung infections, and necrotizing intercolitis.
B. Infantis
This bacteria strain is the most common in infants and lessens as they grow older. Its overall function is to help keep a healthy immune system and a smooth digestion. There is a study found out that this friendly bacterium is helpful at lessen inflammation as well.
L. Reuteri
This is a strain that gives many benefits to both adults and children. In one study, 6-month babies up to 3-year old children who took L. reuteri had less cases of diarrhea and respiratory problems. In another study, this particular strain of bacteria helped in treating infant colic. It’s also even known to prevent tooth decay.
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Top 3 Infant Probiotic Drops Reviews
earlyLife Baby & Infant Probiotic Drops
earlyLife Probiotic Drops is the best probiotic for newborns because it’s designed to be used from the 2nd trimester of pregnancy and toddlerhood to strengthen your baby’s digestive system. Each drop of the probiotic contained their proprietary Triple Bifido strains designed to target the active support and building of baby's gut.
This probiotic is suitable for prenatal, infant and toddlers up until 2-year-old. Each bottle is 10ml and come together with squeeze nozzle to easily extract the liquid from the bottle. It is made with all-natural ingredients and is free from GMOs, gluten, dairy, preservatives, dyes, parabens, or any harmful chemicals.
The earlyLife probiotic contains 5 probiotic strains which specially formulated for mommy and baby’s essential needs. As a unique feature, only earlyLife Prenatal Probiotic Drops use advanced micro-encapsulation technology to make sure that the probiotics reach your baby’s gut and are well-absorbed by your baby.
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BioGaia ProTectis Drops with Vitamin (Pack of 2)
BioGaia Drops with Vitamin D contains the patented Lactobacillus reuteri Protectis that helps the stomach’s good bacteria to restore the natural balance in your baby’s gut and prevent diarrhea. With the combination of Vitamin D, it helps promote a better immune function in babies.
Lactobacillus reuteri Protectis has been tested in more than 120 clinical trials and proven safe for children. Each tube is 10ml and does not need to refrigerate. Keeping it at the room temperature is fine but if you live on the warmer side of the country, then store it in the refrigerator. As for dosage, it is recommended to take 5 drops once daily.
This product is free from allergens like milk, nuts, soy, eggs, and fish, making sure that it is totally safe for baby. Furthermore, this is safe to be taken by those with milk protein allergy or lactose and gluten intolerance. Some find this a bit expensive but the quality of this product is top-notch and we think this the best probiotics for newborns.
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Gerber Soothe Colic (Pack of 3)
Highly recommended by the pediatricians, the Gerber Soothe Colic Drops is a probiotic supplement intended for breastfeeding babies who experience colic and fussiness. This contains the probiotic L. reuteri which effectively aids in improving your baby’s good bacteria and digestive system.
This product has been clinically tested and shown to lessen crying time by 50% in colicky breastfed babies in as a little as one week. This liquid baby probiotic is also made with non-GMO ingredients so you are sure that your baby is safe when taking this.
Each pack comes in a box of 3 and each bottle is 5ml so you are getting 15ml which are more economical compared to other brands. Each bottle contained approximately 25-day supply and recommended to use 5 drops once daily. Also, the probiotic is not necessary to keep on the refrigerator and always store in a cool, dry place.
This is the best probiotics for babies with gas because many parents say that it helped their colicky baby, especially at night. The probiotic work best when given daily. To make it part of your daily routine, try giving your baby at the same time each day.
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Our Pick
We look through hundreds of products listing at Amazon and also study the ratings left by previous buyers to find the best infant probiotic drops for you. Besides that, we also calculate the overall net customer satisfaction (NCS) grade because we want to see how happy is the previous buyers with their purchase of the product.
From our finding, we can say that earlyLife Flora, BioGaia and Gerber are the best infant probiotic drops brands. These brands are popular and received many excellent ratings for their products.
Also, the earlyLife Baby & Infant Probiotic Drops, BioGaia ProTectis Drops with Vitamin D and Gerber Soothe Colic Drops score favorably for the ratings as well as the NCS grade compare to the rest. We believe that you would find these infant probiotic drops a good buy too.
How Can the Supplement Help?
There are millions of live bacteria living in the GI tract, and these are made of both good and bad ones. This is where probiotic supplements play an essential role in introducing good bacteria to your baby’s stomach.
When your baby’s good bacteria level is down, taking probiotics can help bring back the balance and keep the body working. Probiotics are bacteria and yeasts that are beneficial to the body, especially the digestive tract. So, these good bacteria then fight the bad ones in the gut, which promote better digestive health and help your baby have a healthier immune system.
Since infant probiotics help increase the good bacteria in your baby’s body, it can help lessen stomach problems like colic and gas, so you have a happier and more comfortable baby.
Live Cultures
While probiotics are a type of live culture but not all live culture is categorized as probiotic. This is best explained by OpticBac here:
“When a particular strain of a microorganism undergoes human clinical trials and shows to be of benefit to the human host, only then should it really be classified as a probiotic."
OpticBac also further explains the definition of live culture:
“’Live cultures’ or ‘active cultures’ refer to the microorganisms found in foods such as yogurt, which may be beneficial for human health. The term ‘live cultures’ is sometimes used instead of the word ‘probiotics.'”
The Benefits of Mom and Baby
Naturally, as parents, we want to make sure that our babies get all the best nutrients that they need to be healthy. Giving probiotics may be a new idea to you, but it’s good to know that providing a supplement like this is a natural way of increasing the good bacteria in your baby’s GI tract.
Some doctors believe that those who will benefit most from probiotics are pre-term babies, formula-fed infants or those born through cesarean section because they didn’t get the good bacteria from their mother unlike those who are born vaginally.
Mothers that take probiotics supplements during breastfeeding is also very beneficial to the baby. The goodness of the friendly bacteria will eventually pass from the breast milk to the child. We have written more about this topic in the next post. Click here to read more about it.
Breastfed Infants
After birth, infants continue to receive friendly bacteria from the mother’s milk, but these are called prebiotics. These are indigestible carbohydrates that function as food for probiotics. When the two are combined, they work beneficially to help promote a healthy digestive system in infants.
Breastfeeding is one of the best ways to keep your baby’s GI tract health. Aside from good bacteria, your baby can get immunoglobulin A (IgA) which helps seal the gut’s lining. Doctors believe that children who did not receive healthy bacteria from vaginal birth or breastfeeding will highly benefit from taking probiotics.
For moms that are breastfeeding, consuming probiotic-rich foods will also help you keep your good bacterial health up. These foods are pickles, yogurt, kefir, miso, etc. But, whether your baby takes breastmilk or formula, probiotics are generally healthy and safe for infants and have many benefits for the body.
How Does Gut Flora Affect Health?
Digestive problems
When gut bacteria are not balanced, your baby may experience different digestive issues like colic, acid reflux, constipation, diarrhea, and can even worsen to more serious bowel conditions. Which is why giving probiotics can benefit infants.
Immune system health
There are certain types of bacterial strains that help keep the immune system healthy because there is a lot of interaction between them in our gut. So, without good bacteria in the tummy, the baby can be more susceptible to colds, flu, or other illnesses. Giving probiotics can be a solution to help prevent these.
Weight
Giving probiotic supplements to your baby can help them keep a healthy weight. There are healthy bacteria that produce essential nutrients vital for breaking down certain food. Other than that, probiotics may prevent the body from absorbing fat and have it excreted instead.
Skin problems
There have been many studies that show how having a healthy and balanced gut flora can improve skin health. Since baby skin is susceptible to skin problems like eczema, rashes, and baby acne, giving probiotics can help to prevent or enhance present conditions.
How to Give Probiotics to Infants?
For the baby’s early years, the best kinds of probiotics are either liquid or powder. These are the easiest forms your baby will take. Always consult your pediatrician before giving your baby any supplements. It is best to start slow on probiotics and gradually increase until the recommended dosage.
Also, watch out for any bowel changes. Any drastic bowel changes might be a form sign that either the probiotics are not right for the baby or the amount of dosage given is off. In whatever the case is, consult the pediatrician immediately to get advice.
Liquid probiotics
Liquid probiotics can be given directly to your baby or be mixed in a little breast milk or formula. This way of giving supplements to your baby will allow her to get just enough water to not cause an imbalance in his or her electrolytes.
Powder probiotics
Powdered probiotics can also be mixed into a little breastmilk or formula, just like liquid probiotics. When the baby is a little older and starts eating solids, it can be mixed with the food.
Are Probiotics Safe for Newborns?
Just like any probiotics for kids, these supplements are generally safe for newborns. There are even some probiotics that are meant to be taken during pregnancy, while the baby is still in the tummy. Just be sure to consult your pediatrician before you give birth and ask if it’s safe to continue the probiotic supplements.
Common Practice
There are many different ways for you to give your baby the supplements. As we mentioned, it can be added to the milk whether powder or liquid. It can also be given directly to your baby if you are using probiotic drops. The best thing to do is watch your baby’s behavior so you can decide how he or she will effectively take it.
Monitoring the Intake
Probiotics don’t have side effects on infants and it is uncommon to overdose on it. But to keep your baby safe, always consult your pediatrician about the proper dosage. It is best to understand how much and how often you should give it to your baby so that he or she will get the full benefits. Learn more about the best time to give probiotic to children, here.
Wrapping Up
If you are looking for the best infant probiotic drops, then we hope that our list has helped you pick the right one. Whether your baby is breastfeeding or formula feeding, giving probiotic supplements can be highly beneficial for them primarily for their digestive health and immune system. A healthier baby is a happier baby.
Lastly, since probiotics are safe even for newborns, keeping your baby healthy from birth can help them have lifelong benefits. The interaction of the good bacteria and the immune system in the gut has an enormous impact on your baby’s overall health. When it works well for your baby, you will see all the advantages of taking these safe probiotic supplements.
