Can Probiotics Soothe Colicky Babies?

By Dr Ira Bernstein -

 I have been a huge fan of probiotics in clinical practice. The indications for intestinal and immune support are well documented. However, use in infants and children has been less well studied. A fascinating study was just reported this week in the Journal of the American Medical Association, entitled the Prophylactic Use of a Probiotic in the Prevention of Colic, Regurgitation and Functional Constipation. In this study 589 infants were allocated to receive the probiotic lactobacillus reuteri DSM 17938 or placebo daily during the first three months of life. 

The results were impressive. At 3 months, the mean duration of crying time (38 vs 71 minutes), the mean number of regurgitations per day (2.9 vs 4.6) and the mean number of evacuations per day (4.2 vs 3.6) for the probiotic and placebo groups, respectively were significantly different. This also resulted in significant health care savings due to happier babies and fewer visits to the doctors offices. Although not a serious problem, infantile colic is a very common problem, and as any parent can attest, can be very stressful and tiring. The prophylactic use of the probiotic (meaning giving it routinely instead of waiting for the colic to appear and then start) was found to be cost effective.

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This is something to keep in mind, if there is a baby in your future, and appears to be good for the baby and good for the parents.