Mother/Infant/Child | Articles
A recent study of colicky infants indicates that symptoms can be improved through a treatment of the probiotic organism Lactobacillus. Colic is a condition described as excessive crying in otherwise healthy, well-fed babies and it can be extremely stressful for parents. Colic is thought to be associated with painful stomach gas, although the exact cause isn’t known.
Colicky babies who were treated with the probiotics experienced significantly fewer minutes of crying than babies who were given an alternative therapy of the anti-gas agent simethicone. Probiotics are micro-organisms that help maintain the natural balance of “good” bacteria in the digestive tract. While it is not totally understood how probiotics affect colic, it is believed that it promotes reduced inflammation in the intestines.
An earlier study found that the use of probiotics in babies experiencing bouts of diarrhea resulted in fewer and shorter diarrhea episodes. Infants receiving probiotic treatment also had fewer episodes of fever, fewer clinic visits, childcare absences, and antibiotic prescriptions.
The fact that probiotics is considered very safe makes it a desirable alternative for treating colic.
SOURCE: Journal of Pediatrics, January 2007
Safe and easy to give to your child, probiotics is also helpful if your child has had any treatment with antibiotics. Nothing is worse than helplessly watching your child suffer in pain and there is nothing you can do. Probiotics might be the easiest and safest way to address this issue. There are also music systems that claim to help sooth the child during these episodes as well. Make sure you take time to review all the key information on this and many more topics covered by this month’s authors on Benzinger On Health.
God Bless,
Dr. Benzinger
