Best Baby Probiotics, According to a Neonatologist

Maybe you've been hearing a lot about probiotics and how important they can be for gut health, but with so many options on the market, it can be nerve-wracking to first decide whether or not to give one to a young baby. And then, assuming the answer is "yes," how do you figure out which one to choose?

First things first, remember: You should always consult your pediatrician before starting your child on any medication, including a probiotic. Keep in mind all babies are different, and some brands may work better for your little one than others.

What are baby probiotics, and what are the benefits?

"Probiotics are good bacteria that normally should be living in our intestines, and which begin to colonize our intestines from the time we are in the womb,” explains Jenelle Ferry, M.D., a neonatologist and the director of feeding, nutrition and infant development at Pediatrix Medical Group of Florida. “We want to keep a healthy balance of this good bacteria in our gut to out-compete the bad bacteria.”

Lactobacillus and bifidobacterium are the two most common probiotic strains, and besides being available as supplements, they can also be found in naturally fermented foods like yogurt.

According to Dr. Ferry, probiotics can help support better digestion as well as the immune response. "The best supporting evidence we have for probiotics in older infants and in toddlers is to aid with some GI [aka gastrointestinal] illnesses. Use of probiotics can shorten the duration of gastroenteritis and help the post-diarrheal illness recovery," she says.

What does the research say about baby probiotics?

One of the key things to know about probiotics is that "the research shows that these products don’t appear to be harmful," Dr. Ferry says. And studies also support, at least tentatively, the link between probiotics and better gut health.

"According to a statement by the American Academy of Pediatrics, probiotics appear to be modestly effective at treating acute viral gastroenteritis and preventing antibiotic-associated diarrhea," says Dr. Ferry. "There is encouraging but preliminary data for their role in helping irritable bowel syndrome, ulcerative colitis, atopy and infantile colic, and even more conflicting data on the potential for probiotics to reduce food allergies.”

Many frazzled parents of colicky babies may be wondering if it's worth trying a probiotic to calm their little one, and the answer is: perhaps. "There is some data that probiotics, especially lactobacillus strains, may be helpful in reducing colic and have shown to result in overall less crying or fussiness," says Dr. Ferry.

If you're hoping a probiotic might help clear up rashes caused by eczema, it's not totally clear whether it will work. "Data regarding decreases in eczema or atopy are slightly more mixed," says Dr. Ferry, adding, "The largest benefit appears to be when moms start taking a probiotic during pregnancy and then continue during infancy."

What do I need to know before giving my child a probiotic?

It’s understandable to have a lot of questions surrounding this topic. Here’s some answers to some of the most frequently asked questions surrounding probiotics for little ones:

When should my baby take a probiotic?

It depends. Although some baby probiotics might be labeled "daily," it's important to only give them to your child only when your pediatrician recommends it — which could mean every day, or it could mean only under certain circumstances.

For instance, your doctor may recommend a daily probiotic if you’re trying to treat colic, explains Dr. Gina Posner, M.D., F.A.A.P., a Fountain Valley, California-based pediatrician and member of the What to Expect Medical Review Board. But other times, your pediatrician may advise you to give your baby a probiotic only when he has an issue that warrants it, such as a stomach virus or if they're starting an antibiotic. As always, talk to your doctor before starting probiotics.

Is there a minimum age limit?

Different companies may make different probiotics for newborns, older babies and toddlers. Although there is no minimum age specified for general probiotic use, as mentioned above, it's always important to discuss with your child's doctor first. "You should always talk to your pediatrician before starting a specific probiotic, and this is especially important if your child has a compromised immune system or cancer," says Dr. Ferry.

Do probiotics cause gastric distress?

Not necessarily — in fact, the reverse may be true. "Probiotic use in kids appears to result in the opposite, with children showing improved digestion, less regurgitation and less constipation," says Dr. Ferry.

What types of probiotics are available?

Baby probiotics are sold as powders (which can be added to soft food, milk or water) and drops, which are the most common for young babies and usually given either by spoon or added to a bottle. (Many companies caution against adding probiotics to warm or hot food and drink, as this may kill the bacteria.) If you're nursing, you can also try putting the drops directly on your breast before baby latches.

Note that probiotics aren't regulated as medications by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), so, as Dr. Ferry says, "It can be helpful to discuss with your pediatrician to ensure you are choosing a product with reliable manufacturing processes."

How we chose the best baby probiotics

To choose the best baby probiotic, we used the above guidance from Dr. Ferry to start our search. We looked for probiotics that had lactobacillus and/or bifidobacterium, which Dr. Ferry says are the two most common probiotic strains (as mentioned above). We also researched which options were recommended the most by What to Expect community members and our contributing writer staff. We also made sure each probiotic had high reviews from other reviewers who tried them online.

Below, the best baby probiotics to ask your pediatrician about.