As parents, sometimes the most frustrating thing is getting our children to eat healthy food. Some days, if we can just get them to eat any sort of food, we’re winning. In addition, we have the added factors of school lunches, eating at friends’ houses, and busy day – drive thru meals. No matter how hard we try and how awesome our superwoman clean cooking skills are, our kids will eat unhealthy food at times, it’s just life.
So, how do we replenish their little bodies with good things, and build up their little digestive systems, that affect so much? The answer – Probiotics!
Below we will dive deeper into what probiotics are and why they are so beneficial, while also providing the 7 best probiotics for kids, on the market today.
What Are Probiotics?
Probiotics are bacteria that line your digestive tract and support your body’s ability to absorb nutrients and fight infection. There is an astonishing 10 times more probiotics in your gut than cells in your body. (1) However, not all bacteria in your gut is good. It is also a breeding ground for bad bacteria. When there is an imbalance of good bacteria to bad bacteria, it can have negative consequences on your body like: digestive disorders, skin issues, frequent colds and flu, mood swings, fatigue, and autoimmune disease.
Years ago, there were enough probiotics in our diets from eating fresh food to support our bodies and the amount of good bacteria that it needs. However today, food is processed, grown, and stored much differently, and our food contains little to no probiotics. In addition, much of the food we consume today, contains dangerous antibiotics that kill off the good bacteria in our bodies.
Why Are Probiotics Beneficial For Children?
According to Dr. Mercola, 80% of your child’s immune system resides in his or her gut, so the balance of gastrointestinal flora plays a large role in immune function. This is particularly important for your baby’s health as she/he grows and her/his immature immune system becomes “tested” by pathogenic bacteria and viruses, and potential allergens. (2) An imbalanced gut can cause all sorts of varying issues such as: digestive issues, immune system issues, food allergies, chronic fatigue, mood swings, and skin rashes or eczema.
Probiotic Strains
There are numerous different types of probiotic strains. It is important to find a probiotic supplement with several strains. Different strains have different functions. There are two specific strains that are highly recommended for children due to their testing and long term safety records: Lactobacillus and Bifidobacteria.
- Lactobacillus is helpful in treating digestive issues. This strain fights bad bacteria that can be harmful to your child’s health. Lactobacillus is specifically helpful in treating symptoms such as diarrhea that is caused by antibiotic prescriptions. (3) Although antibiotic prescriptions kill bad bacteria, they also kill a lot of good bacteria. It is important to give your child a probiotic after taking an antibiotic to build their body back up with good bacteria.
- Bifidobacteria is a bacteria that is found in the intestines. This strain prevents the takeover of bad bacteria by growing and multiplying in areas where it is normally present. (4) It also has the ability to restore good bacteria that may have been destroyed by antibiotics or other factors. This strain has been known to help with constipation, eczema, diarrhea, and irritable bowel syndrome.
What To Look For In A Probiotic Supplement For Your Child:
- Strains: It is recommended to have at least 3 to 5 strains in a child’s probiotic. As discussed above, it is recommended to find a probiotic supplement with strains: lactobacillus and bifidobacteria
- CFU’s: When choosing a probiotic, make sure there is a high CFU (colony forming units) count. CFU’s are simply a way to describe the number of live cultures when the probiotic is first manufactured. For children, it is recommended to use a supplement that has 5 to 10 billion CFU’s (5)
- Prebiotics: A prebiotic helps ensure the bacteria will survive stomach acid, and actually reach their final destination – your child’s digestive tract
- Brand Quality: Look for brands with good manufacturing practices and strict quality control
- Time Released Technology: Many probiotics on the market today are being made with control release technology. Much like prebiotics, this makes them more likely to survive stomach acid, and actually reach your child’s intestines
The 7 Best Probiotics for Kids
Below are the 7 probiotics best probiotics for kids. We have chosen these based on a variety of factors including: CFU count, strains, presence of prebiotic, and other ingredients. The probiotics listed are in no particular order.
1. Hyperbiotics Pro-Kids
Once daily, easy to swallow pearl that is 15 times stronger than other probiotics. Because of the time release technology, 60% of the CFU’s are sure to reach your child’s intestinal tract.
Key Benefits:
- 4 probiotic strains including Lactobacillus and Bifidobacteria
- 3 billion CFU’s per BIO-tract pearl (equivalent to 45 billion CFU’s of a standard probiotic capsule
- No refrigeration necessary
- Sugar free (sweetened with stevia), no artificial colors, flavors, or sweeteners
- Vegetarian, Lactose Free, Gluten Free
2. LoveBug Probiotics for Tiny Tummies – Powder
This is a flavorless probiotic powder that is easily dissolved in your child’s drink. It is specifically designed for babies 12 months to 4 years. It includes a great selection of strains that are shown to help with gastrointestinal discomfort, regularity, healthy skin, immune function, and mental health.
Key Benefits:
- 15 billion CFU’s at time of expiration
- 8 probiotic strains including Lactobacillus and Bifidobacteria
- Sugar Free, Non-GMO, Yeast Free, Gluten Free, Lactose Free, Soy Free, Wheat Free, No nuts, No chemicals or preservatives, No artificial colors or flavors
3. Naturo Sciences Childrens Probiotic
A probiotic with advanced nitrogen-filled blister pack that creates a “refrigerator” like environment, which keeps the 5 billion probiotic microorganisms alive longer with no need to refrigerate.
Key Benefits:
- 5 billion CFU’s
- 8 different strains of probiotics including Lactobacillus and Bifidobacteria
- Sugar Free with natural tangerine flavor
4. Garden of Life Organic Chewable Kids Probiotic
A doctor formulated organic chewable option for your child with added Vitamins C&D. This probiotic has a great selection of strains to combat bad bacteria in the gut.
Key Benefits:
- 5 billion CFU count
- 14 probiotic strains including recommended children’s strains: Lactobacillus and Bifidobacteria
- No added sugars
- Dairy free, gluten free, soy free, and vegetarian
- Contains organic Acacai fiber (prebiotic)
5. Naturewise Kids’ Care Time-Release Probiotics
A time-release probiotic with easy to swallow pearls. Much like Pro-Kids and LoveBug, these capsules are sure to reach your child’s digestive tract due to the time-release technology.
Key Benefits:
- 8 probiotic strains including Lactobacillus and Bifidobacteria
- 3 billion CFU’s
- Non-GMO, Sugar-Free, and Gluten Free
- Acid Resistant
6. Garden of Life RAW Probiotics Kids
This formula is designed for kids’ unique needs and includes raw, organic, and whole food probiotics. Safe for kids 3 months and older.
Key Benefits:
- 5 billion CFU’s
- 23 RAW and organic fruits and vegetables
- Prebiotic RAW inulin
- Gluten and Soy Free
- Certified Organic
7. Replenish the Good – Kids Probiotic
Easy to swallow daily pearl that is 15x more effective than gummies. Made with BIO-tract time release technology to ensure the probiotics reach your child’s digestive system.
Key Benefits:
- 3 billion CFU’s
- 5 probiotic strains including Lactobacillus and Bifidobacteria
- Contains Vitamin C
- Extended shelf life of 18 months due to its patented LiveBac formula
- Non-GMO, Vegetarian, Yeast-free, No Lactose, No Soy, Gluten-Free, Sugar Free
Disclaimer: This post is meant for educational purposes only. It is not intended to replace medical advice from your physician, doctor, or healthcare professional. Please consult your family practice physician prior to consumption.