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The baby is born completely sterile. But with the first breath, the first drop of milk, the first skin contact with his mother, his body, mucous membranes and intestinal lumen begin to be populated with microbes. A community of beneficial and relatively harmless (opportunistic) bacteria creates a unique microflora for each child (1).
The process of colonization of the intestines with microbes is not easy in all children. Colic, bloating and flatulence, abdominal cramps – everyone can face such problems.
The delicate balance of the intestinal microflora is affected by any external factors: sudden changes in nutrition (for example, switching from breast milk to formula), SARS or intestinal infections, allergies, helminthic infestations, living in industrialized cities, stress, and even deficiency of vitamins and minerals.
Probiotics can help balance the intestinal microbial flora and improve health. These are beneficial microbes that are friendly to our gut (2). They not only help digestion, but also stimulate growth and development, strengthen the immune system, increase the absorption of vitamin and mineral components from food.
The market for probiotic products is large, KP along with pediatrician Anastasia Shugaeva и pharmacist Olga Zorina will help you navigate this diversity.
Top 5 best probiotics for kids in 2022
The key considerations when choosing the best probiotics for children should be their safety, ease of use, and effectiveness.
“All the probiotics listed in the list are produced by pharmacological companies, and for each there are several large studies proving their effectiveness,” notes Anastasia Shugaeva.
1. “Linex for children”
Linex for Children is a biologically active food supplement. The probiotic contains bifidobacteria Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis (BB-12). They are safe, well tolerated even by young children, and clinically proven to be effective (3).
This remedy is produced in the form of drops and powders, the first option is suitable for newborns, the second for older children.
Probiotic helps to restore the balance of microflora after antibiotic treatment, with diarrhea and as a prophylaxis of infectious diseases.
Main characteristics
| Indications for use | various types of diarrhea; the formation of normal microflora in newborns (if treated with antibiotics from the first days of life, for example); how to prevent infectious diseases |
| Противопоказания | individual intolerance to the components |
| Age | 0+ |
Advantages and disadvantages
2. “Acipol the Kid”
This drug regulates the balance of intestinal microflora. The spectrum of its action is wide: it has antagonistic activity against pathogenic and opportunistic microorganisms, favorably affects the intestinal microflora, improves immunity (4). “Acipol Baby” is available in capsules, inside – a dry mass of cream or light cream color. It has a sour milk smell.
Main characteristics
| Indications for use | Acute intestinal infections (salmonellosis, rotavirus gastroenteritis); colitis; long term antibiotic treatment |
| Противопоказания | Hypersensitivity to the drug |
| Age | 0+ |
Advantages and disadvantages
3. “Buck-Set Baby”
This dietary supplement contains probiotic and lactic acid microorganisms. The drug is safe and suitable for children from birth: it does not contain dyes, flavors and other harmful substances. It is enriched with a probiotic that positively affects the intestinal microflora and is approved for use in children. The composition of the dietary supplement is unique: the components – seven live bacteria – are selected in such a way that they reinforce and complement each other, because of this, the functions of the gastrointestinal tract are restored. The drug can be used for lactase deficiency and dysbacteriosis (5).
Main characteristics
| Indications for use | dysbacteriosis, intestinal colic, taking antibiotics for intestinal and respiratory infections |
| Противопоказания | individual intolerance to the components of the complex |
| Age | 0+ |
Advantages and disadvantages
4. “Bifiform Baby”
This probiotic can be given to children from the first days of life. It contains beneficial bacteria that have a positive effect on the intestinal microflora of babies.
The advantage of the dietary supplement is that it is available in the form of an oil solution in a vial. Comes with a handy dosing pipette. There are no side effects of the drug, among the contraindications – only individual intolerance to the components. “Bifiform Baby” has passed the registration procedure, the safety has been clinically proven.
Main characteristics
| Indications for use | eating disorders in babies, with colic, stool disorders, elimination of consequences after taking antibiotics |
| Противопоказания | individual intolerance to the components |
| Age | 0+ |
Advantages and disadvantages
5. «Probifor»
“Probifor” does not apply to dietary supplements – it is a medicine. The probiotic regulates the balance of intestinal microflora due to bifidobacteria on activated charcoal particles, and also has an antidiarrheal effect. The drug has an anti-infective and anti-toxic effect (6).
– The drug contains lactose: in children with lactase deficiency it can cause flatulence, intestinal colic, worsening of intestinal symptoms, – Anastasia Shugaeva notes.
But at the same time, the drug contains a sufficient amount of effective, acid-resistant strains of beneficial bacteria.
Main characteristics
| Indications for use | diarrhea, dysbacteriosis, if necessary, restore the flora after antibiotics |
| Противопоказания | individual intolerance to the drug |
| Age | 0+ |
Advantages and disadvantages
How to choose probiotics for children
The first and main rule for choosing probiotics for children is a preliminary consultation with a pediatrician, allergist or gastroenterologist (depending on the problem that you want to solve with these drugs).
Only having received approval from a specialist, you can buy the necessary drug. Often, doctors immediately recommend several probiotics to choose from: they will solve a specific problem as efficiently as possible. In addition, when choosing drugs, especially for babies, you need to pay attention to some criteria.
Tool safety
Any probiotic you give to a child must be certified to an accepted standard. Well-known manufacturers do not hide such information, they post it on their websites.
In addition, carefully read the composition: it is important to exclude possible contraindications. It can be an allergy to components, lactose intolerance (available in some drugs), individual reactions.
If the baby cries, worries, and digestive disorders increase after taking the probiotic, you no longer need to take it, try something else.
Form of issue
It is inconvenient for young children to give capsules, tablets or large volumes of solutions. Drops or powders that can be diluted in milk or other liquids are optimal for them. Refuse to buy brightly flavored formulations or unpleasant-tasting probiotics, the child may simply spit out such a preparation.
Active strains of microbes and additional components
Doctors usually select the necessary strains based on the problem. For example, lactoflora is better suited to combat diarrhea, and a complex of lacto- and bifidoflora is better suited to eliminate allergy symptoms.
Features of storage
Some probiotics can only be stored in the refrigerator or they will lose their potency. It is inconvenient to take such drugs with you on the road, and you can dilute them only in cool liquids (up to 36-37 ° C), otherwise the microbes are inactivated.
Reception and dosage regimen
If the drug needs to be taken frequently and in large volumes, there is a chance not to complete the course. More convenient means dosed in drops or milliliters, used 1-2 times a day.
Popular questions and answers
Our experts, pharmacist Olga Zorina, pediatrician, pediatric allergist-immunologist Anastasia Shugaeva answer frequently asked questions from parents about probiotics for children.
At what age can children be given probiotics?
Can probiotics harm children?
Who needs to take probiotics?
When to take them – before or after antibiotic treatment?
Sources of
- Zhelnina T.P., Brezhneva N.I., Osyaev N.Yu. Analysis of the structure of the microflora of newborns. URL: https://cyberleninka.ru/article/n/analiz-struktury-mikroflory-novorozhdennyh
- Uchaikin V.F. Probiotics in Pediatrics. URL: https://cyberleninka.ru/article/n/probiotiki-v-pediatrii
- Vidal. Reference book of medicines. “Linex for kids” https://www.vidal.ru/drugs/linex-for-kids
- Vidal. Reference book of medicines. “Acipol Baby” https://www.vidal.ru/drugs/acipol__9231
- Vidal. Reference book of medicines. “Bac-Set Baby” https://www.vidal.ru/drugs/bac-set-baby
- Vidal. Reference book of medicines. “Probifor” https://www.vidal.ru/drugs/probifor__18725