Can you tell me about probiotics?

[Lindsay1234]

I missed a meeting here in town where a doc was talking about probiotics and kids with GI problems!

Dd2 is tube fed and Id like to know more info about what probiotic DO. (all the info I found on previous thread was measurement and brand info)

Dd2 has no GI problems but Im curious if I should add them to her diet (of 85% BM) and are they ok to take with all meds?

Spam me too please, I dont have the energy lately to do tons of research about it!

Thanks guys!

[askew]

Your intestines are made up of billion of bacteria, and their job is so incredibly wide spread and plentiful that once you study for a while you wonder what they don't do. In a healthy gut you should have more bacteria that you have of your own cells. They manufacturer nutrients, they eat the food you feed them and make all these new cool things that fight cancer and help the immune system communicate and function. They make antibiotics, and they are symbiotic with your body. If you have enough of them, these beneficial bacteria, bad bacteria like candida and e coli have a much harder time setting up shop in your body. They are vital. 70% of all immune function happens in your gut. I could go on for days. You might want to post over in Health and Healing there is a Healing the gut thread that has a lot of info. I think of all supplements probiotics are one of the best to take. If you are expressing BM there is a lot of probiotic content naturally. You can actually take them yourself to increase the amount in your milk, or mix them in. Both of my kids have been getting probiotics since they were days old.

[sbgrace]

How old is she? Any food/diet/allergy type restrictions (what else besides breastmilk goes in the tube)?
I would vary my recommendations based on that. I do think they are important.

[Lindsay1234]

Askew, THANK you for the info!!!!! Its not my BM, its from a donor BUT maybe I should think of getting our whole family on them, seems like its beneficial to everyone!

sbgrace, She gets BM and about 15% formula in the tube plus all her meds. (a couple heart meds, Pepsid, abx. Shes 11 months now. She doesnt have problems with her gut, but the more good bacteria the better I think! Maybe Ill call that workshop I missed and see if the guy left a book or something!

ETA: no food allergy or sensitivity! She does have GERD but it seems to be slowly going away.

[sbgrace]

In that case I'd use this one given her age, diet, and the meds:
http://www.klaire.com/K-TIF_proddetail.htm
You'd need to purchase it online. I go through Prothera and use Dr. McCandless as the doctor names (she founded the place I believe and at any rate gives permission in her book to use her name as the doctor when ordering). You can also order through various other places (including amazon) but I like that Prothera is careful about shipping and I believe they also give a discount.

Probiotics are good for everyone.

[SpottedFoxx]

While I agree, probiotics are good - your son is in a unique situation (tube fed). I'd not introduce anything without consulting with his physician first.

When my DS began teething, I decided to try the hyland teething tablets my friends all used. I stopped though, something told me to just double check with his pediatrician. Good thing I did, even though it's "all natural and homeopathic" it was counterindicated for my son as he was on phenobarbytal and he could have stopped breathing if I gave it him.

It's probably fine but it never hurts to check.

[Lindsay1234]

Ok, so I have talked to SO many people about this subject (have a dr appt next week) but last night I was talking to a friend who is a herbologist and she said that only in very rare cases are PB not benificial, when youre on antibiotics! Becasue the abx kills ALL bacteria. She said it would be a waste of money to put her on probiotics!

It makes perfect sense and I cant believe I never thought of it.

She also said that when dd2 comes off the abx is the perfect time to start PB!

[Lindsay1234]

Spottedfoxx - Dd2 has had kidney/renal failure so she cant have ANY homeopathic stuff. She also has a heart problem so that limits herbs too!

[SpottedFoxx]

Actually, that's not true. Taking probiotics when taking an antibiotic prevents yeast infections and overgrowth of c-diff. It's quite important to take a probiotic when taking an antibiotic for those reasons. Antibiotics are created to kill of certain kinds of bacteria - not all which is why some antibiotics are used for oral infections while others are used for respiratory infections and yet others are used for UTI's.

I really can't think of any situation where taking a probiotic would be dangerous. That being said, I'm not a doctor which is why I always say to double check. It's a phone call and it can't hurt.