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Essential Probiotics for Kids: Boost Your Child’s Digestive Health Today!

Victor Garcia
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Looking for a good probiotic for a healthy immune system for your kid? Go through these best kids’ probiotics to maintain a healthy balance in their body.

The human body is home to many microorganisms, and their balance is important for a healthy lifestyle. Good microbes reside majorly in the small and large intestines and help keep the area healthy and disease-free. In some instances, if the count of bad bacteria increases, there is a need to provide additional supplements to the guts from outside.

This additional supplement is called probiotics and helps fight the germs and resume balance in the gut. These good bacterias are present naturally in some food and available in different forms like powder, liquid, gummies, etc. Kids require additional supplements like probiotics because of their limited diet.

Probiotics are beneficial for kids in many ways, like improved digestion, better immunity, reduced gut inflammation, reduced risk of getting sick, and weight loss.

Here is a list of probiotics for kids that can be considered to restore the natural balance and increase the good bacteria in the gut.

Which Food Can Be Given as Probiotics for Kids?

Which Food Can Be Given as Probiotics for Kids

As soon as a baby is born, their intestines and digestive system are not ready to adjust to the new environment. It takes at least 6 months time for the gut to mature slowly. In this case, the mother’s breastmilk acts as the most healthy way to promote the infant’s gut health and protect it from different infections.

Breast milk consists of naturally occurring probiotics in the form of Lactobacillus reuteri bacteria. This has proven to be fruitful in infants by decreasing colic symptoms, improving digestion, and helping the infant grow healthy.

The initial years of childhood are very crucial for kids, healthwise. It is inevitable for them to have a sound digestive system in order to stay disease-free and enjoy their childhood.

There are many natural probiotics for kids that can be given before jumping to the outer supplements. Probiotics gained from food are the best, as they are easily available in every grocery store, cost-effective, flavorful, and as effective as artificial supplements. Besides this, there are very few side effects of natural probiotics.

Here are a few examples of probiotics for kids that can be obtained from food.

1. Yogurt

Yogurt

Yogurt is one of the best probiotics for kids, which can be prepared at home and is economically friendly. Good bacteria grow on live and active cultures. By fermenting pasteurized milk with 2 spoons of curd and keeping it under the incubation phase for 10 to 12 hours, you get a healthy probiotic for kids. You can add prebiotics like apples and bananas to the yogurt to make it flavourful.

Live cultured yogurt only promotes the growth of good bacteria and can be consumed for up to 2 weeks.

2. Sauerkraut

Sauerkraut

This food probiotic for kids can be given when they are 6 months and can be continued. Cabbages are shredded into slices and fermented with salt to prepare sauerkraut. Salt is commonly used in fermentation compared to vinegar as it promotes the growth of good bacteria and limits the growth of fungi or molds in food. Hence salt increases the shelf-life of food and can be preserved for a longer time.

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The sauerkraut, after fermentation, gives a nice savory taste and is rich in fibers and probiotics.

3. Cottage Cheese

Cottage Cheese

Certain dairy products like cottage cheese are the best probiotics for kids that can be prepared at home and remain healthy to consume for a whole week. Cottage cheese can be given as probiotics to kids when they start consuming solid food, i.e., 9 months and above. With the help of basic ingredients like milk, vinegar, or lemon juice, you can prepare a protein-rich probiotic for kids.

You can customize the cottage cheese with freshly chopped fruits or vegetables like banana, mango, or pineapple to make it flavorful for the kids.

What are the Best Probiotics for Kids?

What are the Best Probiotics for Kids

Good bacteria reside in many parts of our body, and they play an important role in providing a sound defense system. Probiotics for kids are necessary to prevent bad bacteria from growing and outnumbering, which further results in active infection. As long as it is possible, consider natural food as the best probiotics for kids.

After consulting a pediatrician and once the kid crosses the age of 1, additional supplements like probiotics should be given. If your kid is premature or faces issues like inflammatory bowel, constipation, or diarrhea, pediatricians will suggest the best probiotics for kids.

Here is a compilation of the best probiotics for kids that can be taken into account for fruitful results.

1. Garden of Life, Dr. Formulated Probiotics for Kids

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Garden of life probiotics for Kids is one of the best supplements that you can give your child to strengthen their immune system. While purchasing probiotics for kids, there are certain factors to be kept in mind. One such term to be checked on every probiotic is the CFU or colony-forming units. This stands for the number of live and active bacteria cells in one dose of probiotic. As our gut is made up of several types of bacteria, choose probiotics for kids accordingly, like probiotics that have multi strains or a specific bacterial strain.

Features

  • CFU – 5 billion CFU
  • Types of strains – 14 probiotic strains
  • Product type – chewable
  • Available in Flavors – berry cherry, strawberry banana & watermelon
  • Benefits – promotes immunity and digestive health, rich in vitamin C & D

2. Probonix Kids Probiotics for Kids

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If your kid is suffering from issues like inflammatory bowel syndrome, or digestion issues like constipation, bloating, or weight loss, Probonix is a great solution as a probiotic for kids. It comes in liquid form, which is an advantage, as it becomes soluble in a kid’s cold milk or water; you can also put a few drops under the kid’s tongue.

There are three dedicated probiotics for infants, kids, and kids above 10 years of age. These probiotics for kids also work for those being lactose intolerant and have several allergies. You can trust the brand as it is formulated by doctors.

Features

  • CFU – twice the CFU count of their standard children’s formula
  • Types of strains – 8 probiotic strains
  • Product type – liquid
  • Available in Flavors – grape and cherry
  • Benefits – improves digestive health, organic
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3. Culturelle Kids Chewable Probiotics

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The Culturelle is one of the best probiotics for kids as it comes in several forms for all types of kids. It includes liquid form, powder form, capsule, chewable, wafer, and even in spray form. It is safe to give this probiotic on a daily basis to improve kids’ digestion, like easy bowel movement, maintain the balance of good bacteria, and help keep the kid’s immune system healthy.

Chewables should be completely chewed before swallowing for an effective result. This is the reason behind adding flavors in chewable so that the kids enjoy the flavor. These probiotics for kids are easily available and can be carried everywhere as they do not require cold storage.

Features

  • CFU – 5 billion CFU
  • Types of strains – 1 probiotic strain – Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG)
  • Product type – chewable
  • Available in Flavors – fruit punch, natural berry, super berry
  • Benefits – improves digestive health, rich in multivitamins, and zinc

4. Hyperbiotics Pro Kids

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Probiotics for kids are necessary if they suffer from upset stomachs, fatigue, and diarrhea on a regular basis. Probiotics also help to create vitamins and help kids maintain focus and cope with tantrums. It is necessary to keep a kid’s gut healthy so that they don’t fall sick frequently and drop school. If the kid’s diet does not contain natural food with probiotics, only then additional supplements should be given.

Nowadays, probiotics for kids are a complete package consisting of all the necessary vitamins and minerals required for a kid’s healthy growth. This probiotic for kids is different from others as it comes in a micro pearl shape, making it easy to swallow for all.

Features

  • CFU – 3 billion CFU
  • Types of strains – 4 probiotic strains
  • Product type – micro pearls
  • Available in Flavors – orange
  • Benefits – improves immunity, vegan

5. Nature’s Way, Primadophilus Kids

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It is inevitable to keep the kid’s gut to remain healthy in their initial years so that they can remain disease-free and enjoy their childhood. Probiotics for kids help maintain healthy flora in the intestine. The human intestine not only ensures the effective absorption of nutrients and elimination of the unwanted but also is the prime location for immune system cells.

Sometimes due to active infection and intake of antibiotics, the natural flora of bacteria gets disturbed, and hence probiotics should be taken. Probiotics for kids can be taken as a precautionary on a regular basis to avoid any further digestive issues in kids. The Primadophilus kids are the best probiotic for kids as it consists of the two most important and good bacteria; Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium.

Features

  • CFU – 3 billion CFU
  • Types of strains – 3 probiotic strains
  • Product type – chewable
  • Available in Flavors – cherry and orange
  • Benefits – improves digestion and maintain the natural flora

6. Renew Life Kids Probiotic

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As kids are picky eaters, it becomes necessary to include prebiotic food rich in fiber and probiotic supplements rich in vitamins, minerals, and zinc for their healthy growth. Probiotics for kids are designed in a very creative way, like gummies in different shapes and tastes, flavorful chewable, and liquid drops that can easily dissolve in their food.

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All these probiotics are packed in single sachets or units so that it is easy for the parents to carry them anywhere. Probiotics for kids help them fight infectious diseases and maintain a healthy weight. The RenewLife Kids is considered the best probiotic for kids above the age of four and those dealing with digestive issues.

Apart from this, the tangy fruit flavors are hard for your kid to resist.

Features

  • CFU – 3 billion CFU
  • Types of strains – 6 probiotic strains
  • Product type – chewable
  • Available in Flavors – berry, pineapple, orange
  • Benefits – improves digestion and immunity

7. Smarty Pants Kids Probiotic

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Kids usually require extra care and attention when it comes to their immunity and digestive health. In their initial years, they have limited physical exercise and water intake; apart from this, their diet also consists of meager vitamins and minerals. Hence probiotics for kids with live cultures that consist of Lactobacillus acidophilus, Bacillus subtilis, etc., are beneficial. School-going kids are prone to come in contact with food-borne or water-borne or skin diseases.

Hence probiotics for kids are advised to keep them healthy and respond to foreign particles effectively. Kids that remain healthy are able to concentrate on their studies and participate actively. Besides this, probiotics for kids ensure their good mood, well-being, and less anxiety or frustration.

SmartyPants Kids is considered the best probiotic for kids as it has both prebiotics and probiotics in one. These gummies are encapsulated, which ensures that the good bacteria will reach the intestine alive.

Features

  • CFU – 4 billion CFU
  • Types of strains – 2 probiotic strains & 1 prebiotic
  • Product type – gummy
  • Available in Flavors – grape and strawberry
  • Benefits – improves normal digestion and immune support, and growth of good bacteria.

Conclusion

Probiotics for kids play an important role in restoring the natural flora of the kid’s gut and keeping them disease-free. These additional supplements should be taken under the guidance of an expert and after the kid reaches a certain age. You should also consider adding different types of food full of probiotics to your kid’s diet. Probiotics can be continued even after the kid’s bacterial balance is achieved, as they help maintain a healthy intestine environment.

Usually, probiotics for kids come in different types that are easily soluble and have a good survival rate so that they reach the intestine and give fruitful results. Probiotics for kids also take care of the ingredients.

Comment down below and let us know if you liked the article.

Victor Garcia
Victor Garcia

Victor Garcia, who has a background in pediatric nutrition from Columbia University, joined our team in 2021. His professional journey over 18 years includes significant contributions to pediatric health programs. He's particularly known for integrating modern dietary science with traditional health wisdom. Victor also advocates for community health initiatives and has been a guest speaker at numerous health and wellness conferences. His hobbies include urban gardening and culinary arts, often leading family community cooking classes.

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