Sometimes it is really necessary that a child be prescribed antibiotics. Some, however, may develop some tummy problems during or after completing the course. Can probiotics help? Dr Christine Hurtado gives the following advice:
Antibiotics can kill both good and bad bacteria in your child’s gut. This may throw your child’s gut microbiome out of balance. The microbiome is composed of the microscopic organisms—bacteria, fungi, viruses and parasites—that live in our bodies. That’s why it’s important to only use antibiotics when they’re really needed.
Signs that your child’s microbiome is off-balance include:
- Diarrhea
- Tummy cramps
- Nausea
- Gas
- Vomiting
If your child’s gut microbiome is disrupted from antibiotics, your doctor may recommend boosting the probiotics in their diet.
Probiotics are made up of the good bacteria that live in our bodies. After your child has been on antibiotics, probiotics can help get the gut microbiome back to a healthy balance by putting beneficial bacteria back in. Studies also suggest that probiotics may help relieve the diarrhea, gas, and cramping caused by antibiotics.
There are hundreds of bacteria that are considered to be probiotics. A few of the most commonly used strains are Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, and Saccharomyces.
Many fermented foods have probiotics in them. Examples include:
- Yoghurt (natural, unsweetened thick yoghurt)
- Kefir (fermented in either water or milk)
- Sauerkraut and pickles (raw and refrigerated – not pickled in vinegar)
- Kimchi (made from fermented cabbage)
- Tempeh and miso (made from fermented soybeans)
- Buttermilk
- Sourdough bread
You also may have heard of prebiotics. These foods or supplements contain complex carbohydrates, which can’t be digested. The carbs ferment in the digestive system, feeding the good bacteria in the gut and helping them grow and thrive. Prebiotics are like fertilizer for the microbiome.
Prebiotics are found in many foods, especially those with a high fibre content, like vegetables. Examples include:
- Asparagus
- Snow peas
- Whole grains
- Bananas
- Onions
- Soybeans
- Garlic
Probiotics and prebiotics are also sold as supplements, in capsule, tablet, powder and liquid form. But keep in mind that these supplements are not controlled by food authorities before being sold and there aren’t any official guidelines on how much to take or for how long. Rather talk to your doctor before giving your child any supplement, including probiotics or prebiotics.
Probiotics are also found in kombucha, a carbonated drink made with fermented sweetened tea that has become a news item lately. But drinking kombucha can be risky for kids because it may contain alcohol. Children shouldn’t drink home-brewed kombucha because it may contain harmful bacteria. This is especially true if your child has a health condition that weakens their immune system. Ask your doctor if you have questions about kombucha.
Your child’s microbiome should recover on its own after taking antibiotics, as long as your child is eating healthy foods. You can add foods with prebiotics or probiotics to help get that balance back, too.
Worried about overdoing it? When you have prebiotics in your diet, the bacteria consume the amount they need to stay healthy and active and the rest passes through the digestive system into the stool. The same goes for probiotics. If you get too many, there’s nowhere for them to go, so they also pass into the stool.