Probiotics

[bethanys mummy]

Hi all

sorry if this is a basic question.... new to this part of the site

My LO has bad wind issues and I am considering as many things as possible (see also other post on allergy testing!)

I note you all talk about pro biotics allot. Can you please tell me:

- do you get particular types - which ones?? Have not got a clue about these things and after so many false leads don't want to get it wrong
- any idea where you can get them from in the UK
- when are they most useful??

Thanks not

[Samuel's mum]

Probiotics are basically 'friendly bacterias'. They exist in us naturally to aid digestion and strengthen immunity. Taking antibiotics will kill them and certain diets will be less friendly to them (e.g. a diet very high in sugars that may cause candida/thrush to flourish).

You find them in live yoghurts - like activa, Rachel's yoghurts. Anything that says 'bio' 'live'. The bacterias have various names like  Lacto acidophilus, Lactobacillus casei and Bifidobacterium species.
There are also in yoghurt drinks like yakult, proactiva.
Health food shops like Holland and Barrett will also sell capsules containing probiotics like lacto acidophilus.

However - not all these things may be suitable for your LO e.g dairy based stuff. You could start by visiting a health food shop and asking for advice.

[bethanys mummy]

Thanks for the quick reply. Sorry should have said that LO is only 8 weeks old so looking for something in a granule form?

Is it the lacto acidophilus I should be looking for? or something with them all in?

[Mom to M&M]

I'm a big fan of probiotics and use Nature's Way Primadophilus for Children for my LO (powdered and added to her milk). Another good dairy free brand is Udo's Choice for Infants. However, I'm in the U.S - maybe ask your local health market. And/or order online?