Probiotics & Prebiotics for Infants
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Probiotics and prebiotics support infant health by establishing a healthy gut microbiota, which supports the immune system and intestinal health. C-section babies are deprived of contact with beneficial maternal microbiota. Research shows probiotic supplementation with Lactobacillus reuteri reduced infant crying, regurgitation, and improved stool patterns. A clinical trial also found probiotic supplementation reduced eczema rates in infants by 40%. Prebiotics in breast milk selectively stimulate beneficial gut bacteria. The document concludes that a healthy microbiota benefits infants and research supports probiotic and prebiotic supplementation.
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Probiotics & Prebiotics for Infants
- 1. Probiotics and Prebiotics for Infants Mark Lange, PhD Director, Quality Control
- 2. Disclaimer These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
- 4. Babies Benefit from a Healthy Gut Microbiota Supports baby’s immune system Supports intestinal health Improves spitting up Promotes intestinal comfort and bowel regularity Prevents overgrowth of bad bacteria
- 5. C-Section Babies are Deprived of Contact with Mother’s Intestinal and Vaginal Microbiota
- 7. Breastfeeding Rates in USA
- 8. Research Supports Probiotic Supplementation Infants given Lactobacillus reuteri for 30 days showed: Reduced frequency of regurgitation. Reduced crying. Improved stools. Source: J. Pediatrics (2008) 152; 801-806. Eur J Clin Invest (2011) 41; 417-422
- 9. Clinical Trial on Colic-Related Crying Day L. reuteri Placebo 7 80% 38% 14 96% 62% 21 96% 71% Percentage of Group Having 50% Reduction in Crying Time Source: Savino. F., et al. Pediatrics 2010; 126;e525
- 10. Clinical Trial on Eczema Mothers-to-be and infants until 2 years of age given L. rhamnosus probiotic. Result: 40% lower rate of eczema in infants compared to placebo. Protection persisted for 4 years after stopping probiotic supplementation. Source: K. Wickens, et al. Clinical & Experimental Allergy (2013) Vol. 43. No. 9. pp 1048-1057
- 11. Prebiotics (Oligosaccharides) Third largest component of breast milk. Complex and diverse chains of sugar molecules. Selectively stimulate growth of good bacteria. Babies given oligosaccharides results in an intestinal microbiota similar to that found in breast-fed infants.
- 12. Importance of Vitamin D Supplementation Even when the mother is supplementing, it does not guarantee sufficient vitamin D for an exclusively breastfeeding infant. When mother’s sun exposure is inadequate, 6 liters of milk is necessary to obtain the minimal amount of vitamin D to prevent rickets. Mother produces ½ - ¾ liter of milk per day.
- 13. Conclusions A healthy microbiota helps keeps your baby healthy. Gut bacteria originate from the birth canal, breast milk, food, skin contact and the environment. Breast milk also provides prebiotics. Research supports the healthful benefits of prebiotic and probiotic supplementation.
Editor's Notes
- At the moment a human being is born, so too is a new microbial ecosystem that resides in that person’s gastrointestinal tract. A baby’s digestive tract is quickly colonized by microorganisms originating from the mother and the environment in which delivery took place. Gut microbiota is the term used to describe the microbe population living in our intestine.
- The microbes that make up the ecosystem has both short term- and long-term effects on an infant’s health. In the short term, beneficial bacteria protect the infant from infection by harmful bacteria which can cause diarrhea. In the long-term, beneficial bacteria strengthen the immune system so that it can fend off chronic health problems like allergies and asthma. A strong, robust population of microbes in the gut provides colonization resistance, and pathogens can’t invade and infect an infant who has that resistance as easily.
- Infants born by Cesarean section are deprived of contact with their mother’s intestinal and vaginal microbiota. Because of this, non-beneficial bacteria have an opportunity to overgrow due to reduced competition. Researchers have found that C-Section babies lack the same kinds of bacteria found in infants delivered vaginally, even if breastfed. The bacteria they lack are necessary for proper digestion, stimulating the development of the immune system, regulating the bowels and protecting against infection.
- Breastfed infants are generally healthier than formula-fed infants, especially with respect to their ability to fend off infections. One reason for these benefits is that breast milk contains probiotics, living microbes that deliver health benefits. When infants are supplemented with probiotics naturally found in breast milk, it helps to prevent diarrhea, gastrointestinal infection, and the onset of allergies.
- Yet, according to the Centers for Disease Control’s Breast Feeding Report, only half of babies in the United States are breastfed at 6 months and only about 1 in 4 babies are breastfed at 12 months.
- Lactobacillus is a well-documented probiotic in terms of safe use in infants and its capability to colonize the human intestine without side effect. Here are two placebo controlled studies in which newborns receiving probiotic showed a significant decrease in regurgitation, decrease in mean daily crying time and larger number of stools compared with those given placebo.
- Infantile colic is excessive, inconsolable crying without an identifiable cause in otherwise health newborn infants. It is defined as crying that lasts for more than 3 hours per day, for more than 3 days per week, for at least 3 weeks. Colic affects up to 1 in 4 infants and causes considerable stress and concern for parents. Coliform bacteria, particular E. coli, has been found in the stools of colicky babies, suggesting an imbalance in bacterial strains in the baby’s gut may be causing gas and pain. Multiple studies have shown positive benefit in taking Lactobacillus reuteri to reduce colic-associated crying. In this trial, 46 breastfed infants diagnosed with colic were randomly assigned to receive either L. reuteri or placebo daily for 21 days. At days 7, 14 and 21, the L. reuteri group showed significantly less crying time than the placebo group.