Probiotics to help reflux?

[CrunchyKnitter]

Has anyone heard of this or used them? Or used them for something else? I've heard that they can help with reflux (don't really understand HOW) so we're giving it a try. I am building up slowly (the bottle says 1/4 tsp once a day, but that seems like a lot so I am starting off giving him 1/8 tsp every other day for right now) and DS is definitely getting cleaned out! He usually poops every other day to every few days and he's gone daily, sometimes twice since I started Mon. I can't imagine if I had given him the full dose daily!

Anyway, does this sound like an okay idea? He's on a pretty strong and dangerous reflux med right now that I am weaning him off of b/c I just cannot take him being on it anymore. Feels so wrong. At the same time, I cannot have his bad reflux come back so I am trying just about everything I can, naturally. I ordered a hazelwood necklace for him (supposed to reduce acidity in the body).

Any other thoughts or your experience with this?

DS is just under 4 1/2 mo.

[penstamon]

We just started probiotics for reflux in my 5 m.o. DS and the pedi wants him on a short run of low-dose zantac. I know what you mean that it doesn't feel right to give them meds and I hate it, but DS was in pain and we haven't slept for weeks (months really). I just put some on my nip while bfing so I doubt he is getting the full 1/4 tsp. The meds make him poop more ime. Probiotics should include the most prevalent symbiotic bacteria in the human (infant) gut- a healthy gut contributes to a healthy immune system as one form of secretory antibody is produced in the lining of the gut. In addition, a healthy gut will be able to break down all sizes and complexities of molecules introduced so your LO should be less likely to have digestive problems and keep the pH (acidity) of the gut where it should be and hopefully the reflux will be resolved. The gut is supposed to be very acidic or we would never be able to digest our food and absorb nutrients.

I haven't heard of the hazelwood necklace, but DS wears baltic amber for inflammation- who knows if it works. Let me know how you fair with the hazelwood. I wish you the best!

[CrunchyKnitter]

I see, thanks! That makes a lot of sense!

We tried Zantac when he was first diagnosed, along with Prevecid and now he's been on NExium for a couple months, but I've been learning some scary, scary things. That and he's apparently getting 3x the dosage he should be. UGH! Sometimes I just cringe at what doctors do.

Anyway, the Hazelwood is supposed to help so we'll see. We also have Amber necklaces for teething and really like them (I have one too). Good luck to you as well, reflux is so hard and just makes everything so much more difficult, not to mention it's the worst thing in the world to see our babies in pain at all! I will let you know what I think of the necklace. I ordered it from "Inspired by Finn" if you want to google and see what else she has to say about them. I found it pretty interesting!

[4myfinn]

We've been wondering the same thing. I just started probiotics with my 3 1/2 month old silent refluxer a few days ago. I'm desperate for any natural solution. DS has been on Zantac for about 6 weeks now, and it just doesn't seem to be working anymore. Pediatrician says we may have to move him on to Prilosec, but that just freaks me out so we're trying this. My pediatrician is from India, and when I asked him about probiotics he was very supportive and even gave me a sample he had at his office. He said probiotics and gripe water have been used to treat reflux babies in India for a long time. He generally doesn't like to medicate and said it's worth a shot before we move onto a stronger med.

What brand of probiotic did you buy? I bought Bio Gaia, and my only concern is that it says it contains trace amounts of milk protein, but we think DS already has a milk allergy. I know it's only trace amounts, but I'd like something with ZERO milk protein.

[CrunchyKnitter]

Originally Posted by 4myfinn

We've been wondering the same thing. I just started probiotics with my 3 1/2 month old silent refluxer a few days ago. I'm desperate for any natural solution. DS has been on Zantac for about 6 weeks now, and it just doesn't seem to be working anymore. Pediatrician says we may have to move him on to Prilosec, but that just freaks me out so we're trying this. My pediatrician is from India, and when I asked him about probiotics he was very supportive and even gave me a sample he had at his office. He said probiotics and gripe water have been used to treat reflux babies in India for a long time. He generally doesn't like to medicate and said it's worth a shot before we move onto a stronger med.

What brand of probiotic did you buy? I bought Bio Gaia, and my only concern is that it says it contains trace amounts of milk protein, but we think DS already has a milk allergy. I know it's only trace amounts, but I'd like something with ZERO milk protein.

That is good to hear that your pedi has seen success with probiotics! I hope it works for us both!

Mine has milk in it too which freaked me out when I saw it, but I figured it's made for babies so it can't be that much. It's Jarrow brand from Whole Foods. It's odd though b/c I am cutting out dairy and acidic foods to help him, yet there's dairy in the probiotics.

[changingseasons]

Have you tried an elimination diet to see if something in your diet is causing the reflux? Dairy is the most common trigger, followed by soy, eggs, gluten, corn.

If dairy is an issue for your babe, probiotics might actually make it worse (might explain the extra pooping) because most are cultured on dairy. You can find a few that aren't- Kirkman Labs makes an infant strain that is dairy-free.

Check out my blog if you want more info about food allergies, doing an elimination diet, etc.

[CrunchyKnitter]

Originally Posted by changingseasons

Have you tried an elimination diet to see if something in your diet is causing the reflux? Dairy is the most common trigger, followed by soy, eggs, gluten, corn.

If dairy is an issue for your babe, probiotics might actually make it worse (might explain the extra pooping) because most are cultured on dairy. You can find a few that aren't- Kirkman Labs makes an infant strain that is dairy-free.

Check out my blog if you want more info about food allergies, doing an elimination diet, etc.

Interesting! So far the only thing I've found that I can see an obvious difference in (even on meds) are tomatoes and orange juice. I eat so very little dairy anyway (I actually don't believe even I should be eating it so I really limit it to things like cheese in a recipe, butter, etc. I don't drink milk, eat yogurt, ice cream, etc) I'm not sure it makes a huge difference, but I am cutting it altogether just to be on the safe side since I'm so scared to be taking him off these meds that have been controlling it so well.

What are signs of a dairy allergy? Pooping more? I assumed he was going more (they still look the same/healthy btw) b/c the pribiotics were cleaning out his gut, like they should be, but it could be from the milk in them? Thanks, and I will def. check out your blog, too!

[changingseasons]

Originally Posted by CrunchyKnitter

Interesting! So far the only thing I've found that I can see an obvious difference in (even on meds) are tomatoes and orange juice. I eat so very little dairy anyway (I actually don't believe even I should be eating it so I really limit it to things like cheese in a recipe, butter, etc. I don't drink milk, eat yogurt, ice cream, etc) I'm not sure it makes a huge difference, but I am cutting it altogether just to be on the safe side since I'm so scared to be taking him off these meds that have been controlling it so well.

What are signs of a dairy allergy? Pooping more? I assumed he was going more (they still look the same/healthy btw) b/c the pribiotics were cleaning out his gut, like they should be, but it could be from the milk in them? Thanks, and I will def. check out your blog, too!

Why don't you think you should be eating dairy? That sentence really stood out to me. If dairy bothers you, you very well could have an allergy/intolerance yourself- and makes make it even that much more likely that dairy is a problem for your babe.

Symptoms can be all over the map- they're different for every kid. I have a big list on my blog, but it can range from skin issues, poop issues, sleep/behavior issues, dark circles under the eyes, excessive ear wax, and so many more.

If you cut dairy from your diet, do it for at least a couple weeks- and watch for hidden ingredients! (also listed on my blog) And the most important part- keep a food journal. That way, if it's not dairy, or if it's dairy + other foods, it will be easier to look back and see the patterns. Good luck mama! Oh- and come on over to the allergy forum.

[CrunchyKnitter]

Originally Posted by changingseasons

Why don't you think you should be eating dairy? That sentence really stood out to me. If dairy bothers you, you very well could have an allergy/intolerance yourself- and makes make it even that much more likely that dairy is a problem for your babe.

Symptoms can be all over the map- they're different for every kid. I have a big list on my blog, but it can range from skin issues, poop issues, sleep/behavior issues, dark circles under the eyes, excessive ear wax, and so many more.

If you cut dairy from your diet, do it for at least a couple weeks- and watch for hidden ingredients! (also listed on my blog) And the most important part- keep a food journal. That way, if it's not dairy, or if it's dairy + other foods, it will be easier to look back and see the patterns. Good luck mama! Oh- and come on over to the allergy forum.

I have PCOS which is a hormone issue and dairy has always messed with my hormones (yes, even organic, which is all I buy anyway). I actually noticed it BEFORE I was diagnosed with PCOS b/c I finally found the one and only way to clear up my cystic acne - quit dairy. Which ties back to the hormone thing.

Then when I was trying to conceive our son and doing traditional chinese medicine (herbs, acu, diet) he took me off dairy (and soy) for those same reasons and of course the Eastern med reason of them being too dampening. Anyway, I'm not sure that means I have an allergy to it, but certainly an intolerance! Add that to the fact I don't believe we need to be pumping ourselves full of dairy anyway, and I try to stay away

[tracymom1]

Both DS and DD have been on probiotics since the early days. When I noticed DD having an issue with reflux, I started her on them immediately and noticed a BIG change after about a week. I also bought a this http://www.toysrus.com/product/index...ductId=2401848
so that she wasn't flat when sleeping. I put it in my bed with a blanket on top of it when we were co-sleeping and into her crib when she started sleeping in there last month.

I like the HCL neonate probiotics. Their products are of a very high quality.

Good luck to your LO! Reflux sucks!

[maddymama]

Originally Posted by changingseasons

If dairy is an issue for your babe, probiotics might actually make it worse (might explain the extra pooping) because most are cultured on dairy. You can find a few that aren't- Kirkman Labs makes an infant strain that is dairy-free.

Which Kirkman Labs probiotic is the one you are describing? I just looked on their website and a bunch are listed and it isn't obvious which one is for infants and is dairy-free.
Thanks!
~maddymama

[changingseasons]

Originally Posted by maddymama

Which Kirkman Labs probiotic is the one you are describing? I just looked on their website and a bunch are listed and it isn't obvious which one is for infants and is dairy-free.
Thanks!
~maddymama

Bifido Complex is the infant strain, but they also have dairy-free strains for adults in the Hypoallergenic Products section.

[by-the-lake]

Wow!! I can't believe other mamas are doing this! DS has reflux and was started on Zantac about 6 weeks of age. A couple weeks ago, I started DS on probiotics for a gassy tummy recommended by his ped. That next day, we went on an overnight and I bought the probiotics with me and accidently left the Zantac at home. We also just put on the amber teething necklace that same day. We never had to use Zantac again. I called the ped just today and told her how the probiotics not only helped the gassy tummy, but the reflux as well. She was suprised at this but said the pH in the baby tummy is not as acidic as an adults, and the probiotics must have had just enough of an effect to help him.
We also use HCL neonate probiotics, and think they are wonderful.

[Koalamom]

My dd had really bad reflux, and probiotics really worked for us. We also did digestive enzymes.

This time around with ds, he has been more cranky (colicy) and I have been taking probiotics since he was born. No reflux ussues anyway. But I have been taking digestive enzymes for the last few day and I have seen a big difference in the colic area. And a better sleeer at night!

Next time I have a baby, I will take both from the start.

[CrunchyKnitter]

Three more questions: (Glad to hear of all this success!)

1. How long did it take to notice a difference? Pretty immediate? I've not been giving DS the entire dose (1/4 tsp daily) b/c I didn't want to shock his system, but do you think after a few days it's okay to go to that to really get them working?

2. Will I "overdose" him if I also take probiotics or will that help him more or just not make a difference if he's already taking them?

3. I have probiotics in my fridge from July/August when I was pregnant and taking them - still okay to use or should I buy new?

Thanks everyone! Next time I will buy a bottle that's dairy free, but so far he seems to be okay with having that in there.

[by-the-lake]

We noticed immediate results. No reflux and the gas issue is resolved. I give the probiotic powder 3 x daily. Just a pinch (1/16 tsp) on my finger, (or on my nipple, as the ND advised)
I cannot see how you would overdose him if he gets them and you do too. Your body will use the ones you are taking.
Check your probiotics expiration date. If they have been refridgerated, they should be good until expiration. The HCL brand are dairy free (at least the neonate ones we give) Good luck