Babies & Probiotics

[GuavaGirl]

My little guy seems to let out a lot of gas. Maybe it's normal? I don't know. I wondering if I should try anything with him, like probiotics. I take probiotics and I breast feed. Does he get them in the breastmilk? Can I do any harm in giving him infant probiotics?

His dad has always had digestion issues, so I'm wondering if that has anything to do with it.

ETA: Also, my boy has eczema. Do probiotics help that?
I've heard it can be caused by dairy, but I haven't been convinced to eliminate it. ...but maybe i could use some convincing.

[Knitting Mama]

My Cecilia has been on probiotics for a while now. I use donated breast milk with her due to my low supply, and I have found that the different types of milk make her a pretty gassy girl, especially when I switch donors. Infant's probiotic definitely helps a lot. Do you have a way to deliver it to him, e.g., does he ever take a bottle, cup, SNS, sippy, etc?

[PatioGardener]

Originally Posted by Cecilia's Mama

Do you have a way to deliver it to him, e.g., does he ever take a bottle, cup, SNS, sippy, etc?

A little mixed in breastmilk given with an eye dropper or srynige works for us. I know some moms just use a wet finger!

[Knitting Mama]

Good idea; since I have to supplement Cecilia already, I just mix hers in her SNS with her donated milk!

[GuavaGirl]

Also, my boy has eczema. Do probiotics help that?
I've heard it can be caused by dairy, but I haven't been convinced to eliminate it. ...but maybe i could use some convincing.

[CI Mama]

I was on antibiotics for 12 weeks when DD was an infant because of a persistent breast infection. During that time, I took probiotics for myself, and I gave them to DD, to ward off any ill effects for either of us from the probiotics.

I got florajen capsules, broke one open, and kept the powdery contents in a small jar in the fridge. 3-4 times a day, I would stick my finger in the jar, get a fingertip's worth of the powder, and then stick it in DD's mouth. That worked like a charm.

My DD had no digestive difficulties during that time. I cut out dairy during that time frame as well, so I don't know if it was the probiotics or the lack of dairy that helped. But either way, she was OK.

Good luck!

[GuavaGirl]

I didn't really think about it, but got IV antibiotics during labor (and maybe some after??) because I was GBS+.

[yippiehippie]

My LO also has lots of gas and excema. (i also have excema and hear it's genetic). I've been just breaking open capsuls and dumping in his mouth. I really like your idea, CI, the way I do it can get messy
I also wonder if he gets enough through breastmilk and how much I should give him. I just do it once or twice a day and usually not even a full capsule (the kind adults should take two of). Hopefully someone on hear knows more about them? Oh, but I'm pretty positive that you cannot overdue it (they're expensive, though, so I would like to do the minimum effective dose)

[Tway]

DD had really horrific diarrhea for awhile when she was about 5 months old, ad probiotics cleared it right up. I'd like to think it did something to help her gassiness at night, too.

[FarmerFemme]

I ended up with c-diff from antibiotics after my c-section and had to be on more antibiotics to solve that. 3 rounds in all. I was taking heaps of probiotics, but decided to give dd some as well. She had gas and terrible acne/rashes all over her face and body around 3 weeks age. Since we started the probiotics, her skin is completely clear and she has less gas. I also cut out dairy a couple weeks ago, so I think that has helped too.

If you don't want to have to open capsules, consider Udo's Infant Probiotics. It's what we use.

[Knitting Mama]

We use Udo's as well. Love it!

[slimkins]

Eczema and gas were two of the main symptoms of my son's dairy intolerance/allergy... not sure which one it is yet. I'll know in a couple of weeks when I try dairy again- it's been around six months.
I noticed that his sleep got better too when I gave up dairy and most soy.
I, too, was overwhelmed by the thought of eliminating it, but it really was much easier than I had ever imagined. Even the hidden dairies. I think it is worth a try. I also waited to eliminate it because I wasn't convinced since my son never had any of the other symptoms... like spitting up, red ring around his anus, bloody or mucousy poop, colic. After seeing the difference, I wish I hadn't waited so long. I also had to cut out most soy products a month later. That was a little harder because it is in everything, but still do-able.
and I also give my son dairy-free and soy-free probiotics which I think help his gut.
Good luck>

[LZP]

What kind of probiotics?

Our 4 week old DD is also having MAJOR gassiness issues -struggles just to get any gas out- like hours working on passing just a little gas. poor thing.

of course, the dr says if she's not crying, she must not be in pain, and it's just normal infant gassiness.

I'm wondering if probiotics could help her. She and I were on atbx after an emergency CS due to an infection, and the NICU supp'd with formula against my wishes in her first day of life.

I'm just now taking a regular L.acidophilus probiotic, not a really expensive kind or anything, just from the pharmacy section at the grocery. havent gotten to the HFS, thought that's on the agenda for tomorrow. Would acidophilus be appropriate for her too, or should I use a different kind?

I cut out most dairy from my diet recently, (though we're only on the third day of me being mostly good.) It seemed to be getting progressively worse before that...

sorry to hijack, just thought it might be better than starting a new thread w the same questions...!

[Knitting Mama]

I would get infant's probiotic, personally, if you're going to give it to her directly.

[raqi]

I didn't find this out until mine was 6 weeks or so, but babies born via c-section don't get the same good range of intestinal flora that those born vaginally do (they pick them up on their way through the birth canal). I stared supplementing as soon as I heard, and I think it really helped with her tummy discomfort. I use Flora Baby, one of several brands I found at Whole Foods.