Contents
In line with its mission, the Editorial Board of MedTvoiLokony makes every effort to provide reliable medical content supported by the latest scientific knowledge. The additional flag “Checked Content” indicates that the article has been reviewed by or written directly by a physician. This two-step verification: a medical journalist and a doctor allows us to provide the highest quality content in line with current medical knowledge.
Our commitment in this area has been appreciated, among others, by by the Association of Journalists for Health, which awarded the Editorial Board of MedTvoiLokony with the honorary title of the Great Educator.
Probiotics are selected bacteria or yeast cultures, most often derived from lactic acid. They have a positive effect on the functioning of the human body, stimulate the immune system and regulate the state of the physiological flora, i.e. bacteria that occur naturally in the human digestive system. Probiotics are most often used during pharmacological treatment with antibiotics, in the case of a weakened immune system or in the case of certain infections.
The immune system of babies
A newborn baby has a very weak immune and digestive system. It receives the first bacteria that build its immune system along with the mother’s milk. These are mainly lactobacilli of the genus lactobacillus, which are an important component of the bacterial flora of the digestive tract in the human body. Together with milk, they enter the baby’s digestive tract, where they develop and increase their activity, creating their immune system.
Action of probiotics for infants
The action of probiotics is very diverse. Most often, they are recommended to be administered when the infant is being treated with antibiotics. Antibiotics weaken the immune system, so in order to rebuild the bacterial flora, they are usually taken in the company of probiotics.
Probiotics also prevent bacteria that cause diseases from settling in the digestive tract and protect us against other pathogens. Probiotics also help maintain levels The pH of the digestive system at the appropriate level, which supports our natural ability to fight bacteria and fungi.
Additionally, taking probiotics works as follows:
- supports the process of absorption of vitamins K, B, PP and minerals from the ingested food,
- reduces the chance of developing allergies,
- reduces cholesterol levels,
- reduces the chance of developing gastrointestinal cancer.
Reasons for using probiotics for babies
Although probiotics are safe preparations, their administration to infants should be consulted with a pediatrician. The most common reasons for their use include:
- flatulence
- severe constipation,
- diarrhea
- excessive production of intestinal gases,
- intestinal colic,
- downpour
- antibiotic therapy,
- digestive system infection,
- chemotherapy,
- immunosuppressants,
- changing the environment or eating habits.
For breastfed babies who do not get sick, there is no need to administer additional probiotics. Their immune system is sufficiently stimulated to develop by the lactic acid bacteria they receive from their mother.
For formula-fed babies, consult your pediatrician about the need to give your baby additional probiotics. Sometimes prophylactic administration of probiotics over a period of time is recommended; this is especially true of children genetically predisposed to certain types of allergies. Then the probiotic may slow down or even inhibit their development.
Even the youngest infants have no negative side effects of probiotics. There are also no complaints when the recommended dose is exceeded.
The preparations available on the market are intended for use from:
- first day of life,
- the first month of life,
- three months of age or
- four months old.
Probiotics are often used in babies born by caesarean section. Experts note that there is a significant difference in the intestinal microflora between babies born in the normal way and babies born by caesarean section. Naturally born babies have three times more bacterial colonies in the digestive system. For this reason, probiotics may be helpful in accelerating the development of the immune system in children born by caesarean section.
If you want to give your child probiotics, we recommend Synbiotic for Children with Vitamin C – a probiotic with the Viridian prebiotic. Medonet Market also offers a wide selection of other probiotics – both for children and adults. Check the offer.
Check:
- How to build a child’s immunity? Diet for immunity
- Constipation in children – causes
Probiotics for babies – in what form?
Probiotics derived from milk or milk products are not always recommended in the case of treating infants. Such preparations may cause food allergies in them. For this reason, special preparations are more often used, intended to be mixed with expressed mother’s milk or other warm liquid.
The available preparations include:
- sachets with powder intended for mixing with breast milk,
- capsules, intended to be dissolved in breast milk,
- probiotic drops,
- milk mixtures (contain lactic acid bacteria).
At Medonet Market you will find Nº1 KidsBiotic – a probiotic preparation for children, which is available in sachets.
The content of the medTvoiLokony website is intended to improve, not replace, the contact between the Website User and their doctor. The website is intended for informational and educational purposes only. Before following the specialist knowledge, in particular medical advice, contained on our Website, you must consult a doctor. The Administrator does not bear any consequences resulting from the use of information contained on the Website.