This post is in partnership with Hiya. I only endorse products I believe in.
I'm trying to be way more intentional about how we start healthy habits as a family that actually fit into daily life. Nothing extreme… just small, consistent choices that make a difference over time.
Adding a daily probiotic felt like an easy place to start. Between picky eating, the week everyone at daycare passed around a stomach bug, and a recent round of antibiotics that left my youngest's tummy completely wrecked, gut health became a massive priority. I needed simple insurance for digestion and immunity without adding another morning battle to our routine.
When I started looking into clean probiotics for kids, two brands kept coming up in every conversation I had (with our pediatrician and in the mom group chats I'm in): Hiya Kids Daily Probiotic and First Day Probiotic. Instead of guessing, I put them side by side to see how they actually stack up.
How to know a probiotic is “good”
Not all probiotics are created equal. When it comes to choosing one for kids, these are the non-negotiables I look for:
- Strains that actually do something: Different probiotic strains support different outcomes. A quality probiotic should include strains that are clinically studied for digestion, gut health, or immune support, not just a long list of buzzwords.
- Third-party testing: I look for brands that use third-party testing to verify purity, safety, and accuracy. If a company is transparent about testing, that’s usually a good sign.
- CFU count that makes sense: CFUs measure the number of live microorganisms. While there’s no universal standard, many experts recommend 5–10 billion CFUs per serving for kids.
- No added sugar: Some kids’ supplements hide a surprising amount of sugar. For something taken daily, I prefer options with little to no added sugar.
- Prebiotics included: Prebiotics help probiotics do their job. I prefer supplements that include them so the probiotic has a better chance of being effective.
- One simple daily dose: If a supplement requires multiple tablets or servings, consistency drops. I look for probiotics that deliver an effective dose in one easy serving.
Criteria #1: Ingredients
Hiya Kids Daily Probiotic
- Strain: Lactobacillus rhamnosus (GG), Lactobacillus paracasei, Bacillus lactis (Bl-04®). These clinically-studied strains have high survival rates against stomach acidity and remain viable before they reach the intestines, where they can effectively support gut health. They also have been studied to support childhood digestion, healthy bowel movements, gut health, and other common tummy issues.
- Form + dose: 1 chewable
- CFU count: 10 billion CFUs
- Added sugar: 0 grams, sweetened with sorbitol and monk fruit
- Prebiotic? Yes
First Day
- Strain: A 3-in-1 design with one live probiotic strain, Bacillus coagulans SNZ 1969®, a spore-forming strain built to survive stomach acid and reach the intestines, to support digestion, immunity, and oral health. It's paired with a golden kiwi prebiotic (Livaux®) and a heat-treated postbiotic for immune support.
- Form + dose: 2 gummies
- CFU count: 1 billion CFUs
- Added sugar: 2 grams, sweetened with tapioca syrup and cane sugar
- Prebiotic? Yes
Ingredients Winner: Hiya
The CFU count and zero-sugar formula are the bigger factors here for me.
Criteria #2: Quality & Safety
Hiya Kids Daily Probiotic
- Third-party testing? Yes, plus Clean Label Project Certified and Clean Label Project Purity Award
- Free from: GMOs, gluten, dairy, artificial colors and flavors, and gummy additives
- Manufacturing: FDA-registered facilities that comply with Current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP), federal and state safety standards, and California's Prop 65. Every bottle is third-party tested for contaminants like lead and cadmium.
First Day
- Third-party testing? Yes, plus Clean Label Project Purity Award
- Free from: GMOs, gluten, corn syrup, and top 9 allergens
- Manufacturing: Made in a GMP-certified facility that follow strict FDA standards for safety and quality
Quality & Safety Winner: Hiya
Both are incredibly clean compared to standard grocery store brands, but Hiya edges it out with its full Clean Label Project Certification on top of the Purity Award. First Day may be the right pick for families with allergies.
Criteria #3: Taste
Two kids, two schools, and our fair share of antibiotic rounds. We’ve had a lot of negotiating over spoonfuls of medicine. So I knew any supplement had to pass one test: no morning battle.
Hiya Kids Daily Probiotic
These chewables come in two mixed flavors: tropical burst and cherry. Zero negotiating tactics needed, both my kids were fans.
First Day
My kids would eat these kiwi-flavored gummies like fruit snacks if I let them, and that's exactly my hesitation: they look and chew like candy, and gummies stick to little teeth.
Taste Winner: Tied
Most kids will always pick the gummy. But that candy factor is why it lost me on the daily-habit front, and it's the exact tradeoff Hiya's chewable format avoids.
Criteria #4: Cost
Hiya Kids Daily Probiotic
$30/bottle, or $1/dose
First Day
$49/bottle, or $1.22/dose
Cost Winner: Hiya
Hiya Kids Probiotic is my pick for best kids probiotic!
Between the CFU count, the zero sugar, and the fact that my kids genuinely ask for them in the morning instead of me chasing them around with it, Hiya is the one that's stuck in our routine.
✅ 10 billion CFUs of probiotic strains
✅ Includes prebiotic fibers
✅ ZERO added sugar
✅ Third party tested + Clean Label Project Certified + Clean Label Project Purity Award
✅ Kid-approved taste
✅ Chewable form
Use code NMM50 for 50% off your first purchase
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