Probiotics and Infants

The gut microbiome can be a delicate balance, and with newborns undergoing rapid development and growth it is important to lay a good foundation of healthy gut early on. The gut microbiome is a collection of microbes like bacteria, viruses and fungi in the digestive tract that play a critical role in digestion, immune function and even brain development. Probiotics are live beneficial microorganisms, and research suggests they can be beneficial to support infants’ gut and overall health.
Probiotics are live microbes that confer a health benefit to the host when administered in adequate amounts (Hill et al, 2014). Typically, these include strains of lactobacillus, bifidobacterium and saccharomyces, many of which are naturally found in the gut.
Infants gut microbiome develops and is influenced by:

• Mode of delivery: vaginal birth vs C-section.
• Feeding methods: breastfeeding vs formula
• Antibiotic exposure: via maternal or infant.
• Environment and genetic factors.

An imbalance in the gut microbiota may be linked to colic, eczema, food allergies and altered immune responses.
The most evidence for probiotic use in infants is related to colic which can include symptoms like excessive, unexplained crying in otherwise healthy babies. Research suggests when analysing a number of trials that strains of probiotics significantly reduced crying time in breastfed infants with colic symptoms (Sung et al., 2018). Another study found that daily use reduced crying time and improved bowel habits, suggesting benefits for gut motility and pain perception (Indrio et al, 2014).
Babies with a disrupted gut early in life may also be at higher risk of developing certain allergies and related conditions. A literature review found moderate evidence that probiotic use in pregnancy and infants reduced the risk of eczema in children under age two (Cuello-Garcia et al., 2015). While another study explained certain probiotic strains may enhance immune tolerance, this helps babies avoid inappropriate immune responses to allergens (West et al. 2015).
Probiotics are a promising tool to support gut and immune development in infants, particularly for: reducing colic, enhancing immunity and supporting digestion
Always consult your healthcare provider for guidance and choose clinically studied and dosed probiotic strains. Speak to one of our chiropractors today!
References

• Hill C, Guarner F, Reid G, et al. (2014). The International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics consensus statement on the scope and appropriate use of the term probiotic. Nat Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol, 11(8):506–514.
• Sung V, D'Amico F, Cabana MD, et al. (2018). Lactobacillus reuteri to treat infant colic: a meta-analysis. Pediatrics, 141(1):e20171811.
• Indrio F, et al. (2014). Prophylactic use of a probiotic in the prevention of colic, regurgitation, and functional constipation. JAMA Pediatrics, 168(3):228–233.
• Cuello-Garcia CA, Brożek JL, Fiocchi A, et al. (2015). Probiotics for the prevention of allergy: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. J Allergy Clin Immunol, 136(4):952–961.
• West CE, Dzidic M, Prescott SL, Jenmalm MC. (2015). Bugging allergy; role of pre-, pro- and synbiotics in allergy prevention. Allergy, 70(12):1441–1453.