Children's probiotics

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Children's probiotics
« on: May 27, 2009, 08:31:46 AM » by khix

I'm looking for recommendations for children's probiotics. None of my kids can swallow pills (yet), so I would like to get something that is chewable & tastes good. Any suggestions?

Do any of these products look like they might be good?

http://www.iherb.com/Children-s-Probiotics

(BTW, I'd really like to spend less than $10)

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Re: Children's probiotics
« Reply #1 on: May 27, 2009, 09:29:03 AM » by pelican

I buy my probiotics in a gel cap so I can "screw" it open and sprinkle it in juice for my kids. I think you can sprinkle it on food too.

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Re: Children's probiotics
« Reply #2 on: May 27, 2009, 09:59:42 PM » by MommabyHisgrace

I use Lactopriv-B. It comes in powder form and is virtually tasteless. I just add it to their yogurt with some fruit and they love it! I buy it from Vitacost on the internet for all of $15 delivered to my door. And it's like 14 oz of powder that lasts a pretty long time.

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Re: Children's probiotics
« Reply #3 on: May 27, 2009, 11:18:06 PM » by Mamatoto

Our holistic pediatrician recommended that I buy the Baby Jarro-Dophilus powder before DS was even born. It's pictured in the iHerb link for $12.57.

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Re: Children's probiotics
« Reply #4 on: May 28, 2009, 06:14:07 AM » by khix

Thanks, everyone. More questions, though:

Most of my kids are very picky....the picky ones will eat a chewable or a gummy vitamin, because they usually taste good.

If I ever put anything "foreign" in their drinks or on their foods, they detect it instantly....any flavor that's a bit "off" makes them not want to eat/drink the thing. Do these powdered probiotics have any flavor to them? Are they detectable in drinks & on foods?

Has anyone had any experience with the chewable probiotics, and whether or not your kids liked the flavor?

The powdered ones cost less overall, right? You get more probiotic for your money?

What about liquid probiotics, such as the one listed here:

http://www.iherb.com/Dynamic-Health-Lactobacillus-Acidophilus-Apple-Strawberry-Flavored-16-fl-oz-473-ml/5673?at=0

Oh, and if I get capsules, how do I know it will be filled with something I can sprinkle? Is anything labeled "capsules, or caps, or veggie caps, etc" always filled with something that can be sprinkled? Do the "sprinkles" have any detectable flavor?

Can powder & sprinkles be added to any drinks, even milk? Any foods?

« Last Edit: May 28, 2009, 06:16:52 AM by khix »
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Re: Children's probiotics
« Reply #5 on: May 28, 2009, 09:09:45 AM » by ladyhen

Quote from: khix on May 28, 2009, 06:14:07 AM

Yes, the powdered or capsule probiotics cost much less, can be sprinkled in milk or food, don't have a discernible taste, and definitely are good for your children and you.

Adding sugars and flavors to probiotics would, in my opinion, defeat the purpose of them.

I begin telling my children the nutritive properties of the foods they eat and the benefits of the supplements and herbs I give them from the time they are babies. Telling them the good effects of the probiotics may ease their reluctance.

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Re: Children's probiotics
« Reply #6 on: May 28, 2009, 12:56:31 PM » by hi_itsgwen

We just tried the strawberry chewable probiotics from NOW. They're sweetened with Xylitol, and they do taste good.

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Re: Children's probiotics
« Reply #7 on: May 28, 2009, 01:29:16 PM » by orcuttranch

Quote from: khix on May 28, 2009, 06:14:07 AM

In my experience, capsules or caps have always been filled with something that can be sprinkled. Tablets are hard and need to be swallowed.

From what I have read and heard, shelf-stable (no refrigeration needed) probiotics are the least effective (although better than none). In our health food store, they are only about $1-2 less than refrigerated capsules which are supposed to have more viable cells in them. There is always a best by date on them. The best probiotics that I have found are in liquids or yogurts specifically and are "alive" at the time you ingest them. The lady at the health food store explained to me that the powdered form is freeze-dried, so is dormant at ingestion. You aren't guaranteed that they will all "wake up" in time before they've made it through your system. However, many of them still will. You just get more of them in the yogurt or liquid version. The liquids or yogurts are for our budget, very expensive. I was very thankful though someone on another thread suggested to me to make yogurt out of the probiotic yogurt (I use Bio-K) and that worked great and makes it much more affordable. But we are dealing with yeast issues in our home. I had started with just the powdered probiotics first and they did help, but not quite like I wished they would. The Bio-K worked much better for our problems.

If you are battling something you really want to conquer - such as yeast problems or just sickness (colds or flu, etc.) in general, I would recommend the liquids or yogurts for a little while until it is over. However, if it is just general health you are seeking, the refrigerated capsules seem to me to be the best bet. They last quite a while in the refrigerator, and they can just be sprinkled on anything.

I just sprinkle the powder from the capsules in water and have my kids drink it. Even the 1 yr old drinks it. I haven't personally tasted it that way because I usually mix it in my smoothie in the morning, but I asked my kids if there is any taste to it and they said, no - it just tasted like regular water. I don't know why you couldn't do it in food also. Maybe sprinkle it on peanut butter toast or something like that.

I do agree that adding sugars to the probiotics seems to be counterintuitive.

HTH

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Re: Children's probiotics
« Reply #8 on: May 28, 2009, 11:31:44 PM » by Mamatoto

Garden of Life sells Primal Defense for Kids, which is a banana-flavored powder. The ingredients list freeze-dried bananas, so the flavor is natural. So if your children like bananas, they might actually like the flavor of this powder.

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Re: Children's probiotics
« Reply #9 on: May 29, 2009, 03:01:02 PM » by khix

Ladies, thank you all for the wonderful info!!

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Re: Children's probiotics
« Reply #10 on: June 01, 2009, 02:58:05 AM » by cushsb

why not let them eat yogurt instead? or even the kefir drink called Lifeway? or maybe even natural kefir itself?

i know its hard to teach kids to eat something they're not familiar with, but i also think its important to start them young, as this is the time the body is developing really fast.

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-cushsb
"Your food shall be your medicine" - Hippocrates
lovin' kefir from kefir grains

Re: Children's probiotics
« Reply #11 on: June 01, 2009, 09:58:44 AM » by khix

Quote from: cushsb on June 01, 2009, 02:58:05 AM

My kids are so picky, they won't eat or even try yogurt. Only my oldest eats yogurt and will try everything.

I haven't ever bought kefir, because it's so expensive. I've only ever bought yogurt. Plus, I have no idea how to make kefir or anything.

I was considering chewables because my kids are willing to take vitamins. So, I figured that was better than nothing. I am not trying to fight anything specific, I just want to try and prevent major problems, because most of my kids don't eat very healthily to begin with.

But, anyway, thanks for the suggestion.

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Re: Children's probiotics
« Reply #12 on: November 30, 2009, 03:36:31 PM » by wearefive

I was wondering how long to wait after antibiotics to start the probiotics. My 3 month old had to have to shots of antibiotics. Also what would be the best to give him since he does not eat any food so I can't mix it with anything. He just nurses. How much should I give him each day and how long? Thanks

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Re: Children's probiotics
« Reply #13 on: November 30, 2009, 05:09:19 PM » by ladyhen

Quote from: wearefive on November 30, 2009, 03:36:31 PM

You should start probiotics as soon as the course of antibiotics is finished. My natural doc used to tell me to give them to babies by opening a capsule and mixing a small amount with about a half tsp. of water, then using a small syringe (like a nasal syringe) to inject the solution into babies rectum.
I have also heard of moms who just wet their n*pple and sprinkled a bit on before nursing.

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Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Titus 2:13

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