Probiotics for Infants: What Parents Should Know
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Key Takeaways:
- Probiotics can help support digestion in infants, especially if they’re struggling with colic, diarrhea, constipation, or antibiotic side effects.
- Benefits are strain-specific, meaning not all infant probiotics work the same way or have been studied for the same outcomes.
- Certain strains have been linked to reduced crying time in colicky infants and shorter duration of diarrhea when used alongside rehydration.
- When choosing the best infant probiotic, look for safety testing, clean ingredients, and research-backed strains.
- If your baby struggles with gas, constipation, frequent spit-up, or colic, you might be wondering whether probiotics for infants could help. Probiotics introduce beneficial bacteria into your baby’s digestive system, which may help support gut balance and ease common tummy troubles.
Ahead, we’ll break down how infant probiotic drops work, their potential benefits, and what to look for when choosing the best option for your little one.
What Are Probiotics and How Do They Work in Babies?
Probiotics are live, beneficial microorganisms that help support your baby’s developing gut microbiome, the collection of bacteria, fungi, and viruses that naturally live in and on the body.
According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the microbiome plays a key role in protecting against harmful pathogens, helping the immune system develop, and supporting digestion and energy production. In babies, this system is still forming during the first months and years of life.
A baby’s microbiome begins developing at birth and can be influenced by factors like delivery method (vaginal birth or C-section), whether they’re breastfed or formula-fed, and early antibiotic exposure. Because the microbiome helps shape how your baby’s body responds to the world around them, early differences may play a role in immune and digestive health.
Infant probiotic supplements introduce specific strains of beneficial bacteria into the gut. The goal is to help support balance in your baby’s microbiome, especially during times when it may be disrupted, like after antibiotics.
Potential Benefits of Probiotics for Infants
In addition to increasing levels of beneficial bacteria, probiotics may provide colic support, aid digestion, and strengthen your baby’s immune system.
It’s important to remember that these benefits were seen with specific strains, and may not apply to every probiotic product.
1. Colic Support
Colic, defined as intense, excessive crying with no clear cause, can be one of the most challenging parts of early parenthood.
A 2023 meta-analysis found that certain probiotic strains, particularly Lactobacillus reuteri, were linked to reduced daily crying time in infants with colic, especially in exclusively breastfed babies. Evidence is still limited for formula-fed infants, and larger studies are needed to confirm these findings.
It’s important to note that colic benefits have been observed with specific strains, and results may not apply to all formulations.
2. Diarrhea
Probiotics may help shorten acute infectious diarrhea in some babies, especially when started early. However, they shouldn’t be used as a replacement for oral rehydration, which is the first line of treatment. Research suggests that certain strains (including Lactobacillus reuteri and Saccharomyces boulardii) may reduce how long diarrhea lasts, but results vary by strain and by child.
Probiotics may also reduce the risk of antibiotic-related diarrhea, which can happen when antibiotics disrupt the balance of bacteria in the gut. Among the strains studied in children, Lactobacillus rhamnosus and Saccharomyces boulardii appear to be the most promising for helping reduce antibiotic-related diarrhea.
In addition, one randomized controlled trial evaluated the specific probiotic strain Bacillus coagulans MTCC 5856, the strain used in Wellements Organic Probiotic Drops, in children ages one to 10 with acute diarrhea. When used alongside oral rehydration solution and zinc, children taking the probiotic experienced a shorter duration of diarrhea compared to placebo.
If your infant has diarrhea, the first goal is to prevent dehydration, and it’s always a good idea to check with your pediatrician before starting any supplement, especially for preterm infants or babies with underlying medical conditions.
3. Constipation and Gas
Some research suggests probiotics may support bowel movements by helping balance gut bacteria and increasing the production of short-chain fatty acids, compounds that can stimulate intestinal movement. That said, clinical studies in infants show mixed results, and benefits appear to depend on the specific strain used.
While there isn't strong evidence that probiotics directly relieve gas in babies, certain strains may help ease gas-related discomfort by supporting overall gut balance and digestion. In infants with colic, certain probiotic strains have been shown to reduce crying time, which may reflect improved digestive comfort.
4. Immune Support
If your baby seems to catch frequent colds, you might wonder whether probiotics could help support their immunity. Research in children and adults suggests certain probiotic strains may offer modest benefits for the immune system. A large 2022 review found that specific Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium strains may lower the odds of getting an upper respiratory infection and may even shorten how long symptoms last.
Some studies also found that people taking probiotics were less likely to need prescribed antibiotics for upper respiratory infections.
Because evidence in very young infants is more limited, it’s best to check with your pediatrician before using probiotics in preterm infants or babies with underlying medical conditions.
Do All Babies Need Probiotics?
Not every baby needs a probiotic supplement. Many healthy infants naturally develop a balanced gut microbiome through birth, breastfeeding, and normal environmental exposure.
However, certain factors, such as C-section delivery or antibiotic use, may affect your baby’s gut health. Because early gut bacteria play a role in digestion and immune development, some families choose to add probiotic drops as an extra layer of support during the first year.
While probiotics are generally considered safe for most healthy babies, it’s always a good idea to let your pediatrician know you’re using a supplement, especially if your baby was born prematurely or has underlying medical conditions.
How to Choose the Best Infant Probiotic Drops
If you’re considering giving your baby a probiotic supplement (or any supplement really), you’ll want to have a few non-negotiables like safety and clean ingredients. You’ll also want to look for:
- A strain that has been studied for safety
- A formulation designed to survive stomach acid
- Third-party testing for purity and potency
- Clear labeling without unnecessary additives
Wellements Organic Probiotic Drops for newborns and up contains LactoSpore® (Bacillus coagulans MTCC 5856), a spore-forming probiotic strain designed to survive stomach acid and reach the gut intact, where it can help support digestion.
Wellements Organic Probiotic Drops are also third-party tested for safety and quality. They are USDA Organic and Non-GMO, and free from common allergens such as dairy, wheat, eggs, soy, shellfish, fish, tree nuts, peanuts, and sesame. The formula is also made without sugar, gluten, dyes, parabens, alcohol, artificial colors, or artificial flavors.
The Bottom Line
Probiotics for infants may offer gentle digestive and immune support during your baby’s first years, but they aren’t necessary for every baby.
Here’s what you should know:
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Probiotics are strain-specific. Some strains have been studied for colic or diarrhea support, but benefits don’t apply universally to every product.
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Digestive support is the most researched benefit. Certain strains may help shorten diarrhea duration or reduce crying time in colicky infants, especially when paired with first-line treatments like oral rehydration.
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Not all babies need supplementation. Many healthy infants develop a balanced microbiome naturally through birth, breastfeeding, and normal environmental exposure.
- Safety matters most. Probiotics are generally considered safe for healthy, full-term babies, but families should always check with their pediatrician before starting any supplement.
Probiotics are just one way to support your baby’s comfort. Depending on your little one’s symptoms, you may also want to consider options like Wellements Organic Gripe Water for occasional gas and fussiness or Organic Constipation Support for older babies six to 12 months. As always, check with your child’s healthcare provider before introducing any new supplement.
FAQs
Are probiotics safe for infants?
Probiotics are generally considered safe for healthy, full-term infants. Reported side effects are typically mild and may include temporary gas or changes in bowel movements. However, parents should speak with their pediatrician before starting probiotics, especially if their baby was born prematurely, has a weakened immune system, or has underlying medical conditions.
What is the best probiotic for infants?
There isn’t one single “best” probiotic for every baby. The right choice depends on your baby’s needs and the strain being used. Because probiotic effects are strain-specific, it’s important to look for a product that clearly lists the strain and has research supporting its safety and stability. Clean ingredients, third-party testing, and appropriate dosing for infants are also important factors.
Do breastfed babies need probiotic drops?
Many breastfed babies naturally develop a healthy gut microbiome, as breast milk contains beneficial bacteria and prebiotic compounds called human milk oligosaccharides. However, some families consider probiotic drops during times of digestive discomfort, after antibiotic use, or if their baby was born via C-section. Not every breastfed baby needs probiotics, but they may offer additional support in certain situations.
