We always hope for the best for our kids as they grow. Most of us are also very careful with what they eat, how they sleep, play among other things to ensure that they are getting the best at all times.
And, most parents have learnt the many benefits that comes with introducing probiotics to their kids, including preventing and treating excessive crying, and you too should consider it. Probiotics will help promote your child’s digestive health as well as boost their immune system to ensure they have a happy life.
While you might know all its benefits, choosing the best probiotic for your kid can give you a hard time. Today we look at the best kids probiotics in the market and essential information you need to know to ensure you have an easy time when selecting one for your child.
- Features to Consider in Good Kids Probiotics
- Top 10 Best Kids Probiotics 2023
- 1. Probonix Grape Liquid Probiotic Drops
- 2. Digestive Advantage Probiotic Gummies
- 3. FloraTummys Probiotic Sprinkles for Kids
- 4. Primary Flora Probiotic
- 5. LoveBug Tiny Tummies Probiotics
- 6. Hyperbiotics Pro-Kids
- 7. American Lifeline Florajen 4 Kids Probiotic
- 8. Naturo Sciences Chewable Probiotic
- 9. Culturelle Baby Calm and Comfort Probiotics
- 10. Ultimate Flora Kids Probiotic Supplement
- Guide to Buying the Best Kids Probiotics
- Finally
Features to Consider in Good Kids Probiotics
Type
Probiotic comes in different forms from tablets, capsules, drops to powder. Choosing the best depends on your kid’s preference. If they find it hard to swallow pills, consider a tablet or gummy. You can also go with a taste-free pill in case your baby is sensitive to taste. A drop comes in handy if your child does not like swallowing either the capsules or tablets.
Additional Ingredients
You do not want your little one to consume questionable and unsafe fillers with their probiotics. Check the contents of the package to avoid supplements that contain sugar since it inhibits the growth of some crucial strains in the probiotic.
Age
Different probiotics are suitable for varying age groups. Be sure to confirm that the probiotic you pick is ideal for your child’s age and you should also know when to stop administering it.
Dosage
How many tablets or drops should you give your little one and for how long? Ensure you know all these to administer the probiotic correctly. You should consult with your pediatrician if you are not sure.
Ease of Use
How easy is it to adopt the probiotic into your child’s daily routine? First, the package should allow you to take the probiotic with you if you are always on the go. It is also more convenient to carry along if it does not require refrigeration. Consider your kid’s routine and your lifestyle before selecting the probiotic.
Delivery System
The stomach’s harsh environment may be a hindrance to the probiotic’s effectiveness. Be sure to choose a probiotic that can endure the acid in your child’s stomach to ensure that the microorganisms are safely delivered in the digestive tract. Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium are the strains with the highest chances of surviving.
Colony Forming Units (CFUs)
CFU is used to measure the number of active bacteria a product contains. The body already has active cultures, and you will need to pick a probiotic with high live cultures to increase the probability of its survival through the digestive tract. Check the CFU information to know what you are getting from the probiotic. A good supplement will contain at least 5 billion CFUs.
Strain
Consider a probiotic with multiple and diverse strains for increased effectiveness. Different bacteria strains will perform varying roles when it comes to promoting your child’s digestive system and immune system. Choosing a probiotic with many strands will ensure you get the best out of it. Check on the package to know what you are choosing.
Expiry Date
You do not want to pick a probiotic that is almost or has already expired to avoid getting inactive probiotics. Be sure to select a package that is far from its expiration date to ensure you get the best out of the purchase.
Top 10 Best Kids Probiotics 2023
1. Probonix Grape Liquid Probiotic Drops
Editor’s Rating:
Ease of taking it
If your child has been giving you a hard time with tablet or gummy supplements, you will love this liquid option from Probonix. First, its liquid formulation is easy to swallow since it allows you to place it directly on your kid’s tongue. They will love it more since it can be added to their favorite cold beverage such as lemonade making it easier to take.
Another thing we like about this probiotic is its taste that will make your kid look forward to their supplement time. It is grape-flavored which is not so bad for a probiotic. It does not need refrigeration therefore easy to store and carry along when traveling with your child.
Effectiveness
The Probonix Grape liquid probiotic is very effective when it comes to improving your child’s digestive health as well as their immune system thanks to the eight strains in the supplement. It helps solve an array of issues including; gas, colic, constipation, diarrhea, eczema, asthma, thrust, lactose intolerance among others.
It has a coating that enhances its effectiveness by guaranteeing that the stomach’s acidic environment won’t destroy it. This enhances its effectiveness by up to 10 times compared to other probiotics. It does not contain sugar, dairy, gluten, soy, egg, fish or peanuts but still tastes great.
Dosage
The 30-day supplement is perfect for infants and children of all ages. If your child weighs more than 30 pounds, you should give 8 drops daily and 6 drops for those under 30 pounds.
Verdict
If you are looking for an effective probiotic that can be used by all children and infants irrespective of their age, this would be your best bet. It is easy to swallow, can be mixed with your kid’s favorite drinks and features a great grape taste so you can be sure your child won’t give you a hard time when administering it.
Pros
- Features a grape flavor
- Easy to swallow and can be added to cold drinks
- Does not need refrigeration
Cons
- Using the applicator can be quite hard at first
2. Digestive Advantage Probiotic Gummies
Editor’s Rating:
Ease of taking it
The Digestive advantage probiotic is meant for both adults and children above the age of 3 meaning it is perfect for your entire family. You will not have to worry about your child who does not like chewable tablets thanks to the assorted fruit-flavored gummies that will keep anyone in your family looking forward to their supplement time. It is gluten-free and does not contain fruits and vegetable colors.
Effectiveness
Continued use of Digestive Advantage probiotic gummies promotes the digestive and immune health of your baby. It reduces bloating, minor abdominal discomfort as well as get rid of occasional diarrhea. You will love that the probiotic survives the harsh stomach environment better than most leading probiotics. It features a protein shell that ensures it goes through the digestion process without being destroyed so you can be confident of the absorption of all the benefits that the probiotic has to offer.
Dosage
The Digestive Advantage Probiotic gummies by Schiff has 120 gummies and is suitable for both adults and 3 years old and above children. 3-year-olds should take a gummy a day while 4-year-olds and above should take two gummies per day.
Verdict
If you are looking for a great gummy probiotic for your kid, this could be your best bet. The gummies are fruit flavored to make it easy for your child to chew. It is also suitable for both children and adults thus perfect for your entire family. It promotes digestive health hence excellent for individuals with minor abdominal discomfort, bloating and occasional diarrhea.
Pros
- Has delicious flavors
- Withstands the harsh environment in the stomach
- Suitable for both kids and adults
Cons
- Contains sugar
3. FloraTummys Probiotic Sprinkles for Kids
Editor’s Rating:
Ease of taking it
The FloraTummys probiotic sprinkles for kids is a powder formula that does not have any taste making it easy for your child to take. You will like that you can sprinkle it into your little one’s drinks or food and they won’t even notice they are taking the supplements.
It is non-diary and free of sugar and gluten so you can be sure your child does not get anything extra with their probiotic. It is also free of allergens therefore perfect if your child is allergic to some foods. It comes in packets that are easy to use thus convenient for busy parents and kids. It also comes in handy when traveling. The packets help maintain the probiotics’ freshness without refrigeration.
Effectiveness
The FloraTummys probiotic sprinkles will come in handy if your child suffers from tummy issues and helps reduce gas, diarrhea, and constipation. Each of its packets contains 5 billion cultures that enhance its effectiveness. It also helps to restore the good bacteria that has been wiped away by antibiotics and enhances your kid’s immune system.
Dosage
It is meant for 1-year-old and above kids. It contains 30 powder packets that can be taken with your little one’s food or drinks.
Verdict
The FloraTummys probiotic sprinkles will be your best bet if you are looking for an easy to administer probiotic for your 1-year-old and above kid. It is taste-free and powdered so your child will not have a hard time taking them. It helps manage diarrhea, gas, and constipation. It is also suitable if you are a busy parent and is convenient to carry on the go.
Pros
- Easy to use
- Does not require refrigeration
- Can be mixed with the child’s food and drinks
- Non-dairy, non-GMO, gluten and sugar-free
- Free of food allergens
Cons
- Takes some time to dissolve in liquids
4. Primary Flora Probiotic
Editor’s Rating:
Ease of taking it
Getting your child to swallow pills can be hard but not with this probiotic from Primary Flora. Compared to other capsules, the 8mm capsule is easy to swallow so your kid won’t have a hard time. It can be used by women, men, and kids therefore suitable for your entire family. It is gluten-free and also vegetarian. You will like that it does not require refrigeration thus convenient to take along when traveling. The drop-top container allows you to take it with you without worrying about spillage
Effectiveness
The Primary Flora probiotic comprises multiple live cultures and delivers 15 times more active cultures compared to regular probiotics. It also contains 12 strain blend that makes it more powerful and effective. It takes time to be released hence activates in the intestines and not the stomach reducing chances of your little one developing heartburns.
The delayed release also increases its effectiveness by shielding the important organisms from the harsh environment in the stomach. It helps improve your child’s digestive system health as well as boost their immune system keeping them happy at all times.
Dosage
Each container of the Primary Flora probiotic holds 60 tablets. You should administer one or two tablets per day.
Verdict
If you are looking for a probiotic that will give your child an easy time when swallowing, this could be your best bet. It is small in size to make it easy for you. It does not need refrigeration so you can always carry it with you when traveling. It is released in the intestine as opposed to stomach making it great if your child suffers from heartburns after taking probiotics.
Pros
- Easy to swallow
- The container secures tightly to prevent spillage on the go
- Vegetarian and gluten-free
- Timed release to enhance effectiveness while reducing irritation
- Does not require refrigeration
Cons
- Not Kosher certified
5. LoveBug Tiny Tummies Probiotics
Editor’s Rating:
Ease of taking it
The LoveBug Tiny Tummies is suitable for children and is flavorless which means an easy time for your little one when taking it. It also allows you to mix it with your child’s cold food or drink and they won’t notice the supplement. It is also GMO and gluten-free, so you won’t have to worry about your child’s supplement having anything else other than what’s intended.
It comes in packets that ensure you do not need a refrigerator to maintain the probiotic’s freshness. This makes it convenient for traveling parents. The easy to open packet also makes it perfect for busy individuals.
Effectiveness
The probiotics from LoveBug is the go-to probiotic when it comes to your child’s digestive system health. It contains 15 billion active cultures that enhance its potency. The eight probiotic strains ensure your child gets the best out of each packet. It features BIO-tract technology that increases the probiotics effectiveness by ensuring it does not get destroyed by the acids in the stomach.
You will not have to worry about antibiotics wiping out important bacteria from your child’s digestive system. The Tiny Tummies probiotic helps to restore the good bacteria cleaned after administering antibiotics to guarantee a healthy gut.
Dosage
The LoveBug Tiny Tummies probiotic is suitable for babies between the age of 12 months and 4 years. A single pack contains 30 packets of the probiotics to be taken daily.
Verdict
If you are looking for a probiotic for infants, this could be the best selection. The powder formulation is odorless and flavorless making it easy for your child to take. It comes in small packets that are easy to use thus convenient for busy parents and kids. It is also perfect to carry on the go thanks to the package that ensures it remains fresh without refrigerating.
Pros
- Promotes immune and digestive system health as well as brain development
- Non-GMO and sugar-free
- Does not require refrigeration
- Easy to administer
Cons
- Not suitable to be added to warm foods
6. Hyperbiotics Pro-Kids
Editor’s Rating:
Ease of taking it
The Hyperbiotics Pro-Kids comes in small pearl-sized pills that any of your 4-year-old and above kids will have an easy time swallowing. Your child can also chew it thanks to its great taste. You can add it to their cold foods, and they won’t even notice when taking the supplements. You will like that it has a long shelf-life and will not require you to refrigerate. It is sugar-free and does not have any artificial sweeteners, colors or flavors to ensure your child gets only what you want them to get from the supplement.
Effectiveness
The Hyperbiotics Pro-Kids contains four targeted probiotic strains that enhance its effectiveness. Each Bio-tract pearl has 3 billion CFUs. The naturally derived prebiotic in each of the pearls enhance the probiotic’s potency and Effectiveness. It is FDA certified and has been tested so you can confidently use it on your child.
You won’t have to worry about the probiotic being destroyed by the harsh environment in the digestive system thanks to the gel matrix that shields important organisms in the pearl. It helps boost your kid’s digestive as well as immune health.
Dosage
The probiotics should be taken only once a day so you can easily incorporate it into your child’s morning routine. The time-release delivery ensures your child gets all the benefits of the probiotic hour by hour. The pack contains 60 pearls.
Verdict
If you do not believe in artificial probiotic, this natural supplement from Hyperbiotics would be your best bet. It is free of artificial colors, flavors, and sweeteners and is also sugar-free. It is easy to swallow and can also be chewed making it perfect for 4-year-old and above kids.
Pros
- Natural and Sugar-free
- Easy to swallow
- Adheres to FDA guidelines
- Features orange or strawberry-vanilla flavors
Cons
- It does not have a long shelf life
7. American Lifeline Florajen 4 Kids Probiotic
Editor’s Rating:
Ease of taking it
The probiotic from American Lifeline is free of allergens thus perfect if your kid has allergies. It is sugar and gluten-free and also non-GMO so you can comfortably give to your child without worrying about them getting anything extra from the supplements. Although the probiotic requires refrigeration, you can store it at room temperature for up to two weeks without losing its effectiveness.
The capsule is unflavored, and it allows you to easily add to your child’s cold food or drink to make it easier for them to take it. You can also mix it with another powdered formula, and your kid won’t even notice its taste. It comes in a convenient package that will be easy for you to carry on the go.
Effectiveness
The American Lifeline Florajen 4 Kids probiotic helps to maintain the natural balance of good bacteria in the digestive system and helps improve gut health. The Bifido culture enhances digestion, helps in the absorption of nutrients and prevent bad bacteria from taking over.
The digestive system will always fight foreign intruders and can damage probiotics, but this capsule is both acid resistant and bile tolerant to ensure it survives the digestion process. The probiotic also supports your child’s immune system. It reduces the effects of antibiotics in your child’s body.
Dosage
Florajen 4 Kids can be used by children of all ages therefore good for your family. Each pack contains 30 capsules, and each capsule needs to be taken daily. Each capsule contains 6 billion live cultures for increased effectiveness.
Verdict
If you are looking for a probiotic for allergic kids, this will make a perfect choice. The allergen-free probiotic helps ease the side effects of antibiotics and is also great if your child has gut issues. It can be used by children of all ages thus great for your family.
Pros
- Kosher
- Does not have allergens
- GMO, gluten and dairy free
- Each capsule contains 6 billion live cultures
Cons
- Needs to be refrigerated
8. Naturo Sciences Chewable Probiotic
Editor’s Rating:
Ease of taking it
The Naturo Sciences chewable probiotic ensures that you will not have a hard time administering the supplement to your kid. It is easy to chew and has a tangerine taste that most kids will love. It comes in a unique blister foil pack to guarantee your child gets fresh cultures at all times without having to refrigerate them. This also makes it convenient to take with you when traveling.
Effectiveness
Your child’s gut health affects their overall happiness, and you will love that the probiotic from Naturo Sciences contains eight probiotic strains that enhance its effectiveness. It also contains 5 billion active cultures that add to its Effectiveness. The probiotic helps to restore the good bacteria in your little one’s gut leading to better digestion and absorption of nutrients.
You will be happy that it also boosts your child’s immune system meaning you won’t have to deal with common colds, tummy aches, eczema, constipation or diarrhea. It is free of sugar so you won’t have to worry about your child taking anything other than the intended supplement. It also has a prebiotic blend of gum acacia, larch tree fiber, and chicory inulin.
Dosage
A pack contains 30 chewable tablets. Each tablet should be taken daily making it easy for you to mix it with your kid’s food.
Verdict
If you are looking for a probiotic to help offset your child’s diarrhea and other tummy issues, consider this option from Naturo Sciences. It contains eight probiotic strains with 5 billion active cultures that not only improves your child’s digestive health but boosts their immune system too. It is easy to chew and has an orange flavor therefore perfect is your little one is a picky eater.
Pros
- Has a tangerine flavor
- Does not require refrigeration
- Sugar-free
Cons
- Some kids do not like its taste
9. Culturelle Baby Calm and Comfort Probiotics
Editor’s Rating:
Ease of taking it
Nothing comes in the way of a good night sleep like a fussy baby because of tummy issues. The Culturelle Baby Calm and Comfort helps to soothe your baby’s stomach to ensure both you and your little one sleep soundly. You will like that it is administered as drops to make easy for you to give to your infant. It is easy to dispense on baby’s mouth, and it also allows you to administer it through their bottle or when breastfeeding.
It is free of dairy, gluten, and sugar so you can be sure that your baby is not getting anything extra with their supplement. It contains naturally sourced Lactobacillus GG as one of its strains so you can have the confidence that your child is not getting unwanted substances. It is meant for babies of ages 0 to 12 months thus perfect for infants.
Effectiveness
The Culturelle Baby Calm and Comfort helps to restore the balance between good and bad bacteria and also improves digestive system health to ensure your baby is happy at all times. The chamomile drops are very effective as they help soothe your baby’s tummy. It contains 1.5 billion active bacteria that enhances its Effectiveness so you can be sure your infant is getting the best out of their probiotic.
Dosage
You should administer five drops of Culturelle Baby Calm and Comfort once per day.
Verdict
If you are looking for a safe and gentle probiotic that will help soothe your infant, look no further than this option from Culturelle. It helps to calm your crying and fussy baby by reducing tummy issues. It also helps boost your child’s digestive system and immune system health. It does not contain sugar, gluten, and dairy thus safe and perfect for dairy and gluten intolerant kids.
Pros
- Easy to administer
- Has chamomile extract
- Free of dairy, gluten, and sugar
- Safe and gentle
Cons
- Some babies may not like its taste
10. Ultimate Flora Kids Probiotic Supplement
Editor’s Rating:
Ease of taking it
The Renew Life Ultimate Flora kids’ probiotic has a delicious berry taste that makes it easier for your kid to chew.
Effectiveness
The Ultimate Flora probiotic from Renew Life has a special formulation to help your kid of more than 2 years when it comes to tummy issues. It assists with breaking down of the hard to digest foods and enhances absorption of nutrients so your precious one won’t have to worry about tummy aches. It has 3 billion live cultures and six probiotic strains. The multiple strains and active cultures enhance its effectiveness.
It also helps to nurture the balance of good bacteria in your kid’s body, therefore, boosts their digestive and immune health. The probiotic does not contain any sugars, dairy or gluten but still tastes great to enable your kid to swallow without giving you a hard time. The capsules are delayed to be released keeping them from being destroyed by acids in the stomach to ensure they reach the intestinal tract.
Dosage
The Renew Life Ultimate Flora probiotic is for kids older than 2 years. It contains 30 chewable tables, and you should administer one tablet a day.
Verdict
If you are looking for a probiotic for your kid to help with myriads of digestive issues without spending too much, you should consider the Renew Life Ultimate Flora probiotic. The chewable tablets feature a delicious berry taste that makes it great for kids. It has multiple active cultures and six effective probiotic strains that makes it perfect for your kid’s immune and digestive health.
Pros
- Has 3 billion live cultures
- Features six probiotic strains
- Has a delicious berry taste
- Promotes digestive and immune health
- Affordable
Cons
- Some may find it hard to chew
- Needs to be stored in a cold place
Guide to Buying the Best Kids Probiotics
- Helps to stabilize the good and bad bacteria in the gut to promote a healthy digestive system, mental health and reduce allergies
- Prevents and also treats diarrhea
- Reduces risks of childhood eczema
- Boosts immune function, therefore, helps protect your child from infections
Packaging and Storage
Probiotics thrive in cold surroundings, and you will need to be careful with how your package is shipped and also how you will store it. Ensure they are always away from direct sunlight. A proper container should also help protect the probiotics from excess sunlight.
Strains
Although each probiotic strain is important, look out for the following strands in probiotics for infants
- Bifidobacterium Bifidum
Bifidum helps in breaking down food and absorption of nutrients. It can survive the digestive tract better than most strains. It helps reduce conditions such as eczema, constipation, diarrhea and lung infections - Bifidobacterium Infantis
Compared to other bacteria in infants, infantis is the most potent. It weakens as your child grows. It helps improve the digestive system health as well as boost the immune system. - Lactobacillus Reuteri
Probiotics with L.Reuteri is best for your 6-month-old to 3-year-old kid. It significantly reduces the chances of your little one suffering from diarrhea and most respiratory infection. It also helps with tooth decay. - Lactobacillus acidophilus DDS-1
What makes this bacteria stand out is its ability to withstand the gastrointestinal tract. It has multiple benefits including boosting the immune function, helps in the digestion of dairy products, as well as maintaining good and bad bacteria.Lactobacillus and Bifidobacteria are the two major genera you will hear about, and you can be sure they both play an important role in your child’s health.
What Does Your Child Eat?
The function of probiotics is to help maintain the balance between good and bad bacteria in your child’s gut. The bad bacteria thrive in an environment with sugars and saturated fats. Choose foods and drinks that promote gut health. Think more of real foods as opposed to processed foods. Be keen on foods containing good fats, complex carbohydrates, fiber among other additives that do not support the growth of pathogenic bacteria to help support the growth of the beneficial bacteria.
Ensuring your child eats enough fruits and vegetables per day will help nurture the good bacteria in their gut. Consider oranges, bananas, blueberries, apples, peaches, and pineapples. You should also look at vegetables with high prebiotic fibers such as leeks, onions, garlic, broccoli, and cauliflower. When it comes to grains, give more of whole grains such as white rice as opposed to processed grains.
When Taking Antibiotics
Antibiotics wipe off all bacteria in your child’s body whether good or bad. Probiotics are meant to help your child restore the good bacteria.
Most parents believe they have to let their child finish their antibiotics dosage before administering probiotics. Well, this is not necessary. You can still give both of them but not at the same time. Let your kid take the probiotics either hours before are after taking the antibiotics. They should also keep taking the probiotics after they are done with the antibiotics.
Be sure to let your pediatrician know about the probiotics and follow their instructions accordingly.
How Do You Regulate Good Flora in Your Kid?
- Ensure your child takes filtered water. Chlorine wipes off the helpful bacteria in the gut
- Serve foods rich in probiotics
- Give probiotic supplements
- Feed them plenty of fibrous foods
- Encourage them to be physically active
- Check for symptoms of poor gut health
- Let your pediatrician help
Avoid:
- Highly processed foods
- GMO foods
- Using anti-bacterial soap
Finally
It is evident that probiotics play an essential role in your kid’s general development. It is also clear that probiotics differ and you need to know the essential factors to consider before diving into the purchase. We have done the hard work in our guide and given you not just the best kids probiotics you should consider in 2022, but also some relevant information to put you a step ahead during the selection. Irrespective of what you want for your kid, we are confident you will get the best.