What Are Probiotics And Prebiotics
Probiotics are living organisms, mostly bacteria, and yeasts, which can positively influence your health by increasing the number of microflora native to your body. They can be found in foods, such as fermented soy and dairy, and can also be taken in supplement form.
Prebiotics are foods that the body cannot digest that help increases the beneficial bacteria in your body and that nourish the probiotics and help them multiply. Most prebiotics is taken in supplement form, but can also occur naturally in onions, artichokes, wheat, and asparagus.
Synbiotics is the combined use of probiotics and prebiotics to assist in the growth of beneficial bacteria, particularly after an illness or disruption in health.
Evivo Is Simple And Easy To Use
I know that all of this info about infant gut health can be overwhelming. There are SO many choices to make as parents, especially in the first few years of life!
Luckily, giving your baby Evivo daily is very simple!
When you place your first order, you will receive a starter kit. This kit has everything you need to give your baby Evivo including your first month supply and instructions.
You always want to give baby Evivo with the feeding syringe mixed with fresh breastmilk. Be sure to never mix Evivo in babys bottle.
After mixing the Evivo Probiotic with breastmilk in the small bowl provided by Evivo, fill the syringe and feed it to your baby! It is that simple!
I hope that this blog post has educated you about infant probiotics and that you are ready to make your own choice about Evivo! While this post is now sponsored by Evivo, the content and opinions expressed here are my own. We had been using Evivo Probiotic for two months before my partnership with Evivo began.
Be sure to keep your babys Doctor in the loop when starting something like Evivo. Evivo has great customer service, you can call or submit a ticket and they will be happy to answer any of your questions! If you would like to further connect, please find me on and send me a DM!
Does My Child Need A Probiotic Supplement
March 4, 2014 By Heather Haynes
Probiotics are front and center in the holistic health spotlight right now. Walk down any health food store aisle and you will see countless probiotic supplement brands for adults and children alike. Supplements can be expensive, so does your child need a probiotic supplement?
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A Very Big Very Small Revolution In Babies Health
Every day I tell patients that we are living through the fourth great revolution in medicine. The first three revolutions had to do with killing the fairly small number of viruses, fungi, and bacteria that harm us . In 1796 Dr. Edward Jenner tested the first ever vaccine against smallpox, learning that our own immune systems could be taught to destroy deadly invaders. Second, in 1865 Joseph Lister found that carbolic acid could prevent bacteria from causing deadly wound infections, opening the door to modern surgery. Finally, in 1928 Alexander Fleming isolated penicillin, discovering that previously life-threatening infections could be treated with a natural compound.
The fourth revolution, however, is just starting, and it has to do with how we interact with the trillions of microorganisms that live within us and help keep us healthy. It turns out that our bodies contain 3 times as many bacterial cells as human ones! These bacteria, along with fungi, viruses, and other types of microorganisms help digest our food, strengthen our immune systems, and compete with pathogens for space and nutrients. Thats why I was so excited to partner with Evivo to help parents understand how they are on the forefront of this revolution.
What Are The Natural Alternatives
Probiotics can be found in several natural foods, but dairy products are the most common place to find them. Cultured or live yogurts could be one of the top choices for children. They also contain other nutrients such as calcium, protein, and possibly other vitamins, beneficial for developing infants. Choose a food source that is low in sugar and contains the helpful bacteria lactobacillus. This has the most consistent results and has been examined in most clinical studies. Other alternatives could be soy milk or various types of cheeses.
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The Case For Prebiotic Supplements
Prebiotics occur naturally in a wide range of foods, including apples, bananas, barley, berries, oats, tomatoes, and wheat. Theyre also found in onions, garlic, dandelion greens, Jerusalem artichokes, and soybeans, although these may be a harder sell for most kids. Yogurt can also be a great source of prebiotics, but avoid the ones marketed for kids, as they are often loaded with added sugars, Avena cautions. Additionally, food companies are increasingly adding prebiotic fibers and sugars such as inulin and oligosaccharides into nutrition bars, cereals, pastas and other packaged products.;
Yet despite prebiotics being readily available, Avena says the average kid doesnt consume enough of them. For children, especially toddlers, it can be very difficult to get the appropriate amount into their diets, she says. Babies under 12 months are usually OK because breastmilk naturally contains prebiotics and many formulas are fortified with them. But once they transition to food, there tends to be a precipitous drop-off. If they dont like the particular foods that contain prebiotics, or if theyre a picky eater in general, it can be a struggle to get prebiotics into their diet
I Cannot Recommend Evivo Probiotic Enough
As I mentioned at the beginning of this post, Blake was miserable I was miserable for an entire month straight before we ordered Evivo.. Within one day, Blake was having regular bowel movements, was much happier and started sleeping during the day. Blake has been on Evivo for 3 months straight, , she is the happiest baby I have ever met!
Blake is sleeping through the night
She is napping 2-3 times per day for 2-4 hour stretches.
Blake has been so happy that she started taking a pacifier and sucking her thumb. Being able to self soothe has meant she no longer needs to nurse to pacify herself. By self soothing she stopped over feeding which was adding to her stomach discomfort.
She can be left with anyone for the day and is more than happy to drink breastmilk from a bottle!
My husband and I have also reaped the benefits of Blake enjoying Evivo! The majority of my postpartum anxiety and all of my postpartum depression has gone away! Our quality of life has truly gotten so much better. We are able to go out on date nights and leave both kids with Grandparents because Blake is happy and content. We are both getting more sleep than we ever would have imagined with two children under the age of three!
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How Probiotics Might Be Bad For You
Because these good bacteria already exist in the body, theyâre considered safe for most people. But there are some things to consider.
They can trigger an allergic reaction. They might cause mild stomach problems, especially the first few days you start taking them. You might have stomach upset, gas, diarrhea, or bloating. Those symptoms usually go away after your body gets used to them.
If you have an immune system problem or another serious health condition, you may have a greater chance of issues. Some reports have linked probiotics to serious infections and other side effects. The people most likely to have trouble are those with immune system problems, people who’ve had surgery, and others who are critically ill. Don’t take probiotics if you have any of those issues.
Always talk to your pediatrician before giving probiotic supplements to your child. If you’re pregnant or nursing, you should also talk to your doctor before you try one.
Most probiotics in the U.S. are sold as dietary supplements. That means the companies that make them don’t have to test their products and show that they work or that they are safe. More research is needed to confirm that probiotics are safe and effective.
Ask your doctor which probiotics are the right ones for you. Be sure to stop taking them if you have any problems.
When Can Babies Have Probiotics
The source of the probiotic determines when your baby can have it. Here is the average age to introduce probiotics to the baby, depending on the different food sources:
- Yogurt: 12 months. You can try introducing it around the age of nine months .
- Soy milk: 12 months
- Cottage cheese: 12 months
- Probiotic drops, infant formula, and infant cereal: Probiotic drops and infant formula may be available for babies as young as three months old. However, it is best to consult the doctor before giving probiotics to infants below the age of six months. Infants older than six months can safely have probiotic infant cereal, formula, and drops.
- Fermented soy, milk, and vegetable products: Several traditionally fermented products contain strains of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium. Examples of milk-based fermented products are kefir and some types of cheese. Miso and tempeh are fermented soy delicacies that are a dairy-free source of probiotic. Kimchi and Sauerkraut are preparations made by fermenting vegetables with bacteria.
Most cheeses and other fermented milk preparations can be safely introduced to babies at the age of 12 months.
Fermented soy and vegetable preparations can also be given at 12 months, but since they contain high quantities of sodium, consult a pediatrician before trying them.
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Leverage The Benefits Of Probiotic Drops For Babies Today
Give your infant the best health possible by utilizing BioGaia Protectis Probiotic Baby Drops! This innovative supplement will give your young child the probiotic support that they need to thrive now and in the future. When your child has an above average infancy, theyll be prepared to continue to excel later down the line.
Order your first batch of these incredible baby probiotic drops today and give your infant the support they need.
What Has Happened To Gut Health Over The Generations
It was normal for babies in developed countries to be born with B. infantis. This bacteria is crucial for the development of a happy and healthy gut!
Sadly, this good bacteria has disappeared over the generations. Modern medical practices such as c-sections, antibiotics and even formula feeding at the root cause. While all of these are very important medical advances that save the lives of both mothers and children. Unfortunately these medical advances have wreaked havoc on babys gut health generation after generation. Sadly 9 out of 10 babies are born missing this amazing bacteria! Without B. infantis, bad bacteria is able to flourish!
Whether you are pregnant, trying to conceive or have an infant that is still breastfeeding, this post is for you. It is never too early or too late to reset your thinking on infant gut health. By taking a proactive approach now, your baby will be set up for lifelong health down the road.
Evivo is the first and only clinically proven baby probiotic. Evivo has been proven to restore the good bacteria, B. infantis, that is critical for a healthy infant gut.
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Getting Prebiotics & Probiotics From Food
Once your baby is around 6 months old, you will begin;introducing some solid foods to their diet. Some parents start earlier, around 4 months, and some start closer to 8 months. That’s an individual choice, so do what feels right for you and your baby! Once solids are introduced, your baby will be getting prebiotic and probiotic sources from different things. Prebiotics occur in many fruits and vegetables, including apples, bananas, onions, and garlic .
Probiotics can be found in yogurt and many fermented foods. When introducing a baby to yogurt, it’s a good idea to skip the high-sugar, flavored varieties, at least at first. Offering your baby some plain or Greek full fat yogurt can be a good starting place. If it’s too bitter for the baby, try to blend in some homemade applesauce, or a mashed up banana or avocado, which will naturally sweeten the yogurt.
Does My Baby Need Probiotics
Babies are born with no microflora present in their intestinal tracks and they gradually acquire healthy gut bacteria in their first year through breastmilk and, eventually, some table foods. Breast milk does contain a strain of probiotics and your baby will get natural benefits from this if they are been breastfed.
If your baby is breastfeeding, that is the only source of probiotics they will need for the first six months. Once they start consuming foods other than breastmilk, they can also get probiotics from yogurt, particularly yogurt containing live cultures. These two ways are generally accepted as the best way for your baby to get probiotics daily.
Probiotic supplementation, however, can be recommended after the baby has a long period of diarrhea or vomiting due to a virus such as rotavirus or norovirus. Such bad intestinal viruses can leave the body depleted of beneficial bacteria and their intestines could need re-colonizing.
Supplementation is also beneficial when a child has taken a course of antibiotics, as this often wipes out all bacteria in their system, both good and bad, in which case it is important to encourage the growth of good bacteria again. When this is the case, a powdered infant supplement can be introduced and added to breastmilk, formula, or even put on a clean finger for baby to suckle. If your child is taking a sippy cup, it can be added to water as well.
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Can Probiotics Help Cure Thrush In Babies
Probably. A study found that when combined with prebiotics, probiotics can provide relief from oral thrush in babies and also reduce its rate of recurrence . You can also try using only probiotics if the baby has thrush. The probiotic should be used topically, meaning it has to be applied at the site of thrush infection. You can feed probiotic in the case of oral thrush, but it could be difficult to administer probiotic in case of diaper thrush.
Can Babies With Lactose Intolerance And Milk Allergy Have Probiotics
Babies can have probiotic drops or powder safely following recommendations from the manufacturer. However, lactose intolerance and milk allergy become a problem when the primary source of probiotics for the baby is yogurt. The ability to eat probiotic-rich yogurt varies as per the condition :
Lactose intolerance: Lactose intolerant babies may tolerate yogurt, especially if they can breastfeed. You must start with a minimal quantity of yogurt and look for symptoms like stomachache, bloating, and gas. If you sense the baby is tolerating yogurt well, then you can slowly increase the quantity. Give yogurt mixed with food items like cereal or fruits during meal times.
Milk allergy: A baby with a milk allergy is unable to digest only cows milk, but can have breast milk. Therefore, babies with a milk allergy should avoid all milk products including yogurt.
Next, we address a few commonly asked questions about probiotics for babies.
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If Mom Has Imbalanced Flora At Babys Birth
This study demonstrates that probiotic supplementation in mothers during pregnancy can impact the baby as it grows, so it certainly makes sense that whatever gut imbalance mom might have would be passed on as well.
Another demonstration of the relationship between gut flora and the mother-fetal-infant relationship underlines the obesity link again, and although I havent read the full study, the references are many and fascinating.
How do we know if mom has balanced flora or not? Because of the relative insufficiency of the soil of our age and our cultures lack of reliance on probiotic foods beyond the occasional yogurt, Id gander that its more likely youre unbalanced than not. If mom experiences any of the following, she might benefit from probiotics:
- constipation
- eczema or skin issues
Can you just eat more fermented foods?
Sure. Catherine Clinton, ND, founder of WellFuture, shared this with me via email:
I still think that fermented foods, especially if made at home, are one of the cornerstones of health. Ive been using our extra scobies in the compost and our garden is going crazy this year. I wish I could find some research about how that could transform our food and health
And the food is goodbut it may or may not be enough, depending on the other factors.
Probiotics And The Breastfed Infant
Probiotics are sometimes referred to as beneficial bacteria. Bacteria, you say? Yes. There are 10 times more cells from microorganisms, like bacteria and fungi, in and on our bodies than there are human cells . However, microorganisms make up only about 1 to 3 percent of the body’s mass due to their small size, in comparison to human cells . The world of microorganisms that exists within the human body is called the microbiome. Microbes exist in nearly every part of the human body, from the gut and digestive tract, to the nose and mucous membranes of the respiratory tract, and even on the skin. Some of these microorganisms serve an essential purpose, helping us to maintain a healthy system by helping to digest food and absorb nutrients that would otherwise be unavailable, and synthesizing vitamin B and vitamin K. Other organisms are present in and on our bodies normally, and an overgrowth of these organisms can cause unpleasant symptoms and illness.
Examples of probiotics include Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus GG, Lactobacillus plantarum, Bifidobacterium longum, Bifidobacterium bifidum, etc. The National Institute of Health currently has a project underway to identify and map the human microbiome .
References1. Arthur, B. & Stein, R. . Exploring the invisible universe that lives on and in us. Retrieved on February 23, 2014 from
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