Probiotics and Antibiotics
Word on the playground -- and even among some doctors -- is that probiotics can prevent diarrhea in kids taking antibiotics.
But plying your child with probiotic pills or potions may not be a healthful solution. A recent review of studies comparing children taking real probiotics with those taking a placebo concluded that only one in seven children seemed to benefit. And, the authors caution, even the "healthful" bacteria found in probiotics could cause serious infections.
Probiotics and Kids
Probiotics (healthful bacteria) found in foods like yogurt and kefir have long been touted for boosting the immune system, shortening the duration of diarrhea, and soothing symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome in adults. But children under 5 may not have the most robust immune systems to begin with, so probiotic capsules or powders could do more harm than good.
What to Do
"Yogurt is safe for children, but it probably will not help prevent antibiotic-induced diarrhea," says Dr. Jennifer Trachtenberg, author of Good Kids, Bad Habits: The RealAge Guide to Raising Healthy Children. Instead she suggests:
- Asking your child's doctor for the smallest dose or amount that will still be effective but minimize side effects
- Keeping your child on the prescribed dosing schedule (if ordered twice a day, try to give the doses 12 hours apart)
- Giving the medicine with food to reduce tummy troubles, if the doctor says it's okay
If diarrhea does occur, Trachtenberg suggests feeding your child binding foods like bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast and having him or her drink plenty of water. Steer clear of juices. "The high sugar concentration makes the diarrhea worse," she says.
