Personally, I'm a big believer in probiotics for me and for my kids. They're helpful for digestion and supporting immune health, and when Caden was dealing with bouts of tummy troubles during potty training, I knew I had to take action. He'd go days without pooping, constantly complain about tummy aches, and was really hesitant and fearful of sitting on the toilet. It eventually turned into this ongoing cycle of fear around pooping, holding it in, and belly pain. That's when I thought, why not give probiotics a shot? It was about time things started flowing more smoothly (pun intended!).
In typical type-A fashion, I did extensive research on the best probiotics for kids. We tried and tested Hiya Probiotics, Digestive Advantage Kids, Culturelle Kids, and SmartyPants Kids Probiotics. Here’s how they all stacked up against each other.
Key factors to consider when choosing probiotics
When selecting probiotics for your kids, there are several factors to consider:
- Strain: Different probiotic strains have unique properties and potential health benefits.
- Safety and Quality: Choose probiotic products from reputable brands that adhere to strict quality control standards, such as third-party testing.
- Formulation: Probiotics for kids are available in various forms, including chewable tablets, powders, gummies, and liquid drops. Consider your child's age, preferences, and ease of administration when selecting the formulation.
- CFU Count: Make sure to check the colony-forming unit (CFU) count to ensure that the probiotic product has enough live and active bacteria to provide potential health benefits.
- Allergens: Pay attention to allergen information on the product label, especially if your child has known allergies or sensitivities. Ensure that the probiotic supplement does not contain any ingredients that may trigger an allergic reaction.
- Additional Ingredients: Some probiotic products may contain additional ingredients such as prebiotics, vitamins, minerals, or added sugars. Consider whether these additional ingredients align with your child's nutritional needs and health goals.
What to avoid in probiotics for kids
When choosing probiotics for kids, it's important to be mindful of certain factors and ingredients to avoid:
- Added Sugars: I prefer supplements without added sugars, so it's a good idea to check the label before purchasing if that's important to you too.
- Artificial Sweeteners: Some probiotic supplements may contain artificial sweeteners or sugar alcohols, such as aspartame, sucralose, or xylitol, which may cause adverse gastrointestinal effects.
- Artificial Colors and Flavors: Look for probiotic products that are free from artificial colors and flavors, and instead choose products with natural flavors and coloring agents, if possible.
- Allergens: Check the product label for allergen information. Common allergens to watch out for include gluten, dairy, soy, nuts, and shellfish.
- Expired Products: Always check the expiration date on probiotic products and avoid using expired supplements.
Hiya Probiotics
- Form: Chewable tablets
- Ingredient Safety: Non-GMO. Vegan. Gluten-free. Dairy-free. No artificial colors or flavors. No gummy junk. Third-party tested.
- Sugar: 0 grams, sweetened with monk fruit
- Probiotic Strains: Lactobacillus rhamnosus (GG), Lactobacillus paracasei (UALpc-04™), Bacillus lactis (Bl-04®)
- CFUs: 10 billion CFUs
- Taste: like Smarties candy
- Eco-friendly: Yes! The first delivery comes in a refillable glass bottle, and subsequent orders come in refill packs.
- Where to find: Hiya's website
- Price: $1/per dose
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SmartyPants Kids Prebiotic & Probiotic
- Form: Gummy
- Ingredient Safety: Non-GMO. Vegan. Gluten-free. Free of milk, eggs, shellfish, soy, peanuts, wheat, fish, tree nuts. No artificial flavors or colors. Third-party tested.
- Sugar: 3 grams
- Probiotic Strains: Probiotics Bacillus subtilis DE111,® Bacillus coagulans Lactospore®
- CFUs: 4 billion CFUs
- Eco-friendly: No
- Taste: like gummy candy
- Where to find: All major retailers.
- Price: $0.96/per dose
Culturelle Kids Probiotic
- Form: Chewable tablets
- Ingredient Safety: Dairy-free. Gluten-free. No artificial colors. No yeast. No soy.
- Sugar: 0 grams, sweetened with xylitol (sugar alcohol)
- Probiotic Strains: Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG
- CFUs: 5 billion CFUs
- Taste: These are chalky and medicinal.
- Eco-friendly: No
- Where to find: All major retailers.
- Price: $0.82/per dose
Digestive Advantage Kids Daily Probiotic
- Form: Gummy
- Ingredient Safety: Gluten-free. Contains soy.
- Sugar: 5 grams
- Probiotic Strains: BC30 Bacillus coagulans
- CFUs: 500 million CFUs
- Taste: like sugar-coated gummy bears
- Eco-friendly: No
- Where to find: All major retailers.
- Price: $0.56/per dose
My favorite kids probiotic is Hiya
Choosing Hiya Probiotics was an easy decision for us. I love how these contain the most live cultures – 10 billion – as well as prebiotic fiber delivered in zero sugar, chewable tablets. We offer Caden his Hiya Probiotic and Hiya Multivitamin before bed, since mornings are always hectic and we'd probably forget.
The other options either had added sugar, or had less probiotic strains and CFUs which could mean less effectiveness. Plus, the convenience of monthly deliveries is a game-changer – I'm juggling so much already, I don't need another thing on my shopping list! And I even started taking them myself too!
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