As both a dietitian and lactation consultant, I am fascinated with the in’s and outs of nutrition. One of the emerging areas of interest is infant probiotics and how they support gut health — beneficial bacteria that can play a crucial role in nurturing a healthy gut microbiome right from the start.

What are Infant Probiotics?

Infant probiotics are strains of beneficial bacteria specifically formulated for babies' delicate digestive systems. These probiotics can be introduced through supplements like Evivo, designed to colonize and support a healthy gut environment in infants.

In my practice, one of the biggest concerns I hear from parents about their infants is digestive discomfort, usually gas, fussiness and difficult passing stools. Since infants have a very immature digestive tract, these symptoms can be incredibly difficult for parent to manage and it can feel defeating trying to figure out how to help your baby feel more comfortable.

Many parents ask me about using gripe water to help with the symptoms, however there is little evidence on the efficacy of gripe water to resolve these symptoms since the root cause is typically newborn gut insufficiency. My go to recommendation is to do something that we know can be PROACTIVE and help build up your babies digestion. Read on for some of the benefits…

Benefits of Infant Probiotics

1. Support Digestive Health: Probiotics help maintain a healthy balance of gut bacteria, which is crucial for digestion and nutrient absorption.

2. Boost Immune System: A significant portion of the immune system resides in the gut. By promoting a healthy gut microbiome, probiotics can strengthen the immune response in infants.

3. Reduce Colic and Gas: Many parents report a reduction in colic symptoms and gas discomfort in their babies after introducing probiotics.

4. Prevent Eczema and Allergies: Early research suggests that probiotics may help reduce the risk of eczema and allergies by supporting immune function and reducing inflammation.

5. Support Brain Development: A healthy gut microbiome is linked to cognitive development. Probiotics may play a role in this process by influencing neurotransmitter production and reducing inflammation.

How to Choose the Right Probiotic

When selecting an infant probiotic, look for:

• Strain specificity: Ensure the probiotic contains strains known for their benefits in infant health.

• Safety and purity: Probiotics should be free from harmful additives and allergens.

• Research-backed: Look for products supported by clinical studies demonstrating their effectiveness in infants.

I like to recommend the EVIVO brand in my practice, they have done an incredible job of gathering clinical data and most importantly, asking parents how effective use is.

In addition to having your baby start a probiotic to build up their gut flora, if you are providing your infant with expressed milk (either at breast or via pump/bottle) you are providing your baby with important PREBIOTICS which are needed to ensure the effectiveness of the probiotics you are incorporating.

I like to have mothers also consider starting on a probiotic since we now have evidence that maternal gut health can influence infant gut health (mind blowing right?!) Working on increasing the prebiotic material in our diets through:

• Adding in fruits and vegetables rich in fiber and prebiotics

• Reducing stress through breathing and getting our bodies in a parasympathetic state

• Chewing our food thoroughly to ensure optimal digestion

All of these tips can have a positive impact on maternal gut health and in turn infant gut health.

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