Promote Digestive Balance With The Best Probiotics For Kids (2020 Guide)

As a mom who loves to fill up on vitamins and supplements, there was no way my son was not going to reap the numerous benefits that a good probiotic offers.

So, from very early on, he received this useful supplement.

And, now into his third year of life, he still gets one on a daily basis!

If you’ve heard about probiotics before, but aren’t really sure what they are or how they help, read on.

This way, you can choose a supplement that works for your child and their individual needs to get them off to a smart start in their life.

Short, simple, and sweet: a probiotic is basically live organisms (like bacteria and yeast) that are good for your digestive system and helps keep your gut healthy. 

When you take a probiotic, it balances out the good and bad bacteria. 

This way, your system doesn’t get out of whack and you can remain regular and also in good health, immune-wise.

If your little one is ill and running low on good bacteria, a probiotic helps to replace the good stuff that they’re missing and need.

Some parents are hesitant about giving their babies and children supplements, while others are all for it.

It’s good to understand the benefits that come with taking a probiotic, so you can make the right decision for your child’s health. 

Probiotics help yield the following health benefits:

Now that you understand the many benefits of probiotics, here are some strands to check that your probiotic contains:

There are many other strains, but these seem to be the most popular and effective for children.

Some people think that probiotics are probiotics. And, they are right to an extent. 

But, your baby and children have different needs, a less mature system, and they don’t need as much good bacteria in their system as a teen or adult does.

So, always make sure you’re reading labels and giving them the proper dose and that the brand you choose is specially designed for children!

The probiotic world can be a bit overwhelming for the non-scientific or medical individual.

My doctor freely talked about CFU’s and I just nodded my head in agreement, but had no idea what she was saying. It was if she was speaking a foreign language.

And, I also learned that the amount your child gets does matter. The magic number seems to be 5 billion CFU’s per serving. 

So, as a parent, it’s important to become a label reader when it comes to what goes in and on our kids’ bodies. 

In addition to the right about of CFU’s and strains, some probiotics also have features that make them stand out from others.

Shop for some that boast the following ingredients or characteristics:

Give your little one a foundation for a stronger immune system with this highly effective four-strain probiotic from PRO-Kids (click here to check the price on Amazon).

This probiotic made just for kids includes both Lactobacillus and Bifidobacteria to create a harmful bacteria at bay. The time-released pearls give targeted support to your child’s digest tract.

If you are on the hunt for a time-released probiotic for your child, you may want to consider this option.

We like

Time-released pearls. This once-daily pearl is up to 15 times stronger than other probiotics designed for children. Because they are time-released, you can be sure that 60 percent of the CFUs will reach deep into their intestinal tract.

It’s all natural. There are zero artificial colors, flavors or sweeteners with this probiotic.

Longer shelf life than some. You won’t need to worry about keeping this probiotic refrigerated to extend its life.

Keep in mind

Better for older kids. Although the pearls are technically chewable, they don’t taste as good as some others. You might want to wait until your little one can swallow the pearl.

Not as effective when crushed. If you plan to crush your child’s probiotic into their food, you should be aware it's going to lose its time-released capabilities.

Whether you plan to use this probiotic from Naturo Sciences (click here to check the price on Amazon) as a quick fix for an upset tummy or long-term use, it’s just as effective.

Your child will enjoy this great tasting tangerine formula, and you will love that it’s sugar-free.

You might want to think about this probiotic if you are looking for a kid-friendly formula that will support a healthy immune function.

We like

Ideal for use with antibiotics. This eight strain formula helps treat symptoms commonly associated with antibiotics such as diarrhea and belly troubles.

Safe for children with allergies and special needs. Made with all kids in mind, this product is gluten, dairy, soy, peanut, tree nut, shellfish, and wheat free.

Guaranteed fresh cultures. Each chewable tablet is individually wrapped in a blister foil pack and sealed with a special form of dry nitrogen, so you know they will work when you need them.

Keep in mind

Low CFU count. This probiotic was made with a lower CFU count than some others. However, the number of strains may be more important than the actual number of CFUs introduced.

Needs to be taken without food. For this kid-friendly probiotic to work best, your child will need to take it before they eat in the morning.

Safely and gently give your child’s immune system a boost with this kid-friendly probiotic from Renew Life (click here to check the price on Amazon).

This six strain probiotic is made with both Lactobacillus and Bifidobacteria which is recommended by most pediatricians.

If you're searching for a probiotic for your child that tastes good and has a large organism count, this might be a good choice.

We like

Great tasting. Your little one will love the naturally sweetened berry-licious flavor. You will love that it's made with dentist approved xylitol.

Lacto strains for extra defense. This children-friendly probiotic can help boost immune systems clearing up everything from colds and flu to eczema.

High organism counts. Each chewable contains 3 billion organisms which are higher than most probiotics made for kids.

Keep in mind

Refrigerate after opening. If you don’t fridge these probiotics, the total amount of cultures delivered at consumption can be affected.

Not 100% allergy safe. While this probiotic doesn’t contain wheat, gluten, soy or dairy, they are made in a factory that does. If you have an especially sensitive child, you may want to avoid this probiotic.

Culturelle makes this premium probiotic (click here to check the price on Amazon) made from naturally sourced Lacto GG.

Pediatrician recommended for fostering a proper balance of good bacteria in the GI tract, it boasts a whopping 5 billion active cultures to keep you child healthy.

If you want a probiotic that was designed with even young children in mind, this might be your best option.

We like

Perfect for young children. The flavorless packet quickly dissolves into food or liquid. Your little one won't even notice this flavorless addition.

Five billion active cultures. Unlike other probiotics, this company gives you the number of live cultures that will be around by the expiration of this product, not the number present at manufacturing.

Ideal for constipation. If your child has trouble making regular bowel movements, you might want to think about choosing this option.

Keep in mind

Needs to be mixed with cold liquid. Warm liquids can kill good bacteria before they reach your child’s GI tract rendering them less effective.

Trace amounts of sugar. Although the packaging says sugar-free, the FDA allows for up to 0.5 grams with this labeling. If sugar is a concern for you, this probiotic might not be for you.

This doctor formulated chewable probiotic from Garden of Life (click here to check the price on Amazon) is a good choice for parents looking for a probiotic with the addition of vitamins.

Complete with 14 probiotic strains, your child will get a wide variety of immune boosters.

You might want to think about this organic option if you are on the hunt for a vegetarian probiotic for your children. This probiotic is dairy, gluten and soy free. It also contains no added sugar.

We like

A high number of probiotic strains. While CFUs are important, it’s important to know where they are coming from as well. Your kid’s immune system will benefit from the 14 unique strains in this probiotic.

Prebiotic support. Containing Organic Acacai fiber for extra assistance in making good gut bacteria thrive.

Vitamin C & D boost. This organic kid-friendly probiotic is a once-daily option with added vitamins to promote overall well-being.

Keep in mind

Not great tasting. The ‘berry cherry’ flavor seems to have more of a grape taste. The chewable tablets are also larger than many children might enjoy.

Needs to be fridged. You will need to keep this probiotic in the refrigerator to maximize the effects of the strains.

NatureWise are an eight strain probiotic (click here to check the price on Amazon) made just for the needs of your child.

These micro-pearls are time-released and acid resistant ensuring they make it all the way to your kid’s intestinal tract. This probiotic provides more than just digestive support.It also improves your little one’s immune system creating better overall health.

You might want to think about this probiotic if you are looking for a time-released option that is highly effective.

We like

Controlled release formula. The micro-pearls will introduce live cultures into your child’s GI tract over the course of the day. It has been shown that time-released probiotics are up to 15 times more effective than other options.

They are shelf stable. You will not need to worry about this probiotic being temperature controlled. You can be assured that your little one will receive 3 billion cultures right up until the expiration date.

Easy to swallow. The micro-pearl design makes it easy for your youngster to take. You won’t find yourself pulling teeth to get your child to take this tiny pearl.

Keep in mind

Not 100% dairy free. Although the product itself is dairy free, there may be trace amounts of milk protein left over from the fermentation process. Chances are, even if your child is extremely sensitive to dairy, it shouldn’t be an issue.

Ideally for children 3 years and up. Because your child might not know the concept of swallowing a pill whole, it’s best to wait until they are older before giving them this probiotic.

I noticed a world of difference once my son began to take probiotics.

He was happier, he had more energy, he got sick less often, and his constipation issues were long gone.

Choose the probiotic that is right for your child based on is ingredients and characteristics to ensure your child is in the best health possible and lives the highest quality of life as possible.

After all, healthy habits start right from the get go!