Probiotics are gaining popularity as a way to support immune and digestive health in children. We know it can be hard to decide which probiotic is best for your family, so we’ve done the hard work for you by reviewing and rating some of the best probiotics for kids.
One of the biggest trends in health and wellness right now is probiotic supplements. Probiotics benefit your digestive system by helping to even out the good and bad bacteria that live there naturally. Many of us have digestive issues that doctors can trace back to an imbalance in gut bacteria or a lack of good bacteria in the gut and an increase in bad bacteria. This can happen because of environmental factors as well as what we eat and drink regularly.
Adding probiotics to your diet can not only help with digestive issues, but it can also benefit your health in other ways like improving some mental health conditions, improving heart health and promoting good cholesterol, and reducing the incidence of allergies and eczema in both children and adults. Researchers are constantly adding benefits to the list, so the reasons to take a probiotic keep gaining ground.
With all of the good that probiotics can do, many advocates now suggest that children as young as newborns take probiotics daily. If your child suffers from allergies, eczema, or digestive issues or if you’d like to get ahead of any potential health problems that could develop down the road, probiotics might be a good choice for you.
Once you’ve decided to get your child a probiotic, it can be difficult to decide which one would work best. We’re here to help make that decision easier. We’ve looked at some of the most popular brands of children’s probiotics and some brands that you’ve probably never heard of, and we narrowed down the best probiotics for kids, along with reviews about what we do and don’t like about each product, and a final rating out of ten.
How We Chose Our Ratings
Deciding what the best probiotics for kids can seem subjective, so we wanted to share how we chose our ratings so that you can see where our priorities were as we studied each of these products. We rated based on which bacteria were in each product, how many active cultures were in each product, and how many types of ailments each probiotic was able to assist with based on its specific formula.
Probiotic strains that researchers currently believe to be the most beneficial include Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus, and Saccharomyces, so those are the bacteria we looked for as the most beneficial. A combination of these bacteria, rather than just a single strain, made for a higher rating.
We typically measure probiotics in CFUs or colony-forming units. One to two billion is the minimum dosage of CFUs we looked for in our products since the benefits of a probiotic typically go up based on the number of CFUs within them. There are benefits to using probiotics even on the lower end of the scale, however, so we didn’t want to eliminate products with only one to two billion CFUs completely.
Best Probiotics for Kids Reviewed
Now that you understand a little bit about how we choose our ratings let’s jump right into our product reviews. We know you’ll be able to find something on our list to work for your child and your family as a whole.
Digestive Advantage Kids Daily Probiotic Gummies
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One thing that we like about these probiotic [amazon link=”B071J52JCG” title=”gummies”] from Digestive Advantage is their protein “shell,” which the company claims helps them survive the stomach acid that may otherwise destroy some of the bacteria within the probiotic. We also love the fruit flavors that are kid-friendly and fun.
The BC-30 probiotic in these gummies is a strain that was patented by Digestive Advantage so that you won’t find it in other probiotics, but it appears to be a good option for general health, so we are letting it slide on our list. We don’t love that these gummies don’t list their number of CFUs on the bottle, though, so we couldn’t rate them as highly.
You shouldn’t give these gummies to kids under three due to choking risks, but you can take them as an adult for the same benefits they will provide your kids, which is a bonus if you don’t want to buy different probiotics for every family member.
Rainbow Light Probiolicious Probiotic Gummies
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Another great option for getting the whole family started on probiotics are these [amazon link=”B004LLD6BE” title=”gummies”] from Rainbow Light. Two gummies will give you one billion CFUs plus a prebiotic blend that helps to feed the good bacteria already established in your gut. We love that these gummies are allergen-free and don’t require refrigeration, making them an easy pick for your family.
The main probiotic in this blend is Bacillus coagulans, which is a clinically tested probiotic blend. The way that these gummies are manufactured can also help them survive your stomach acid and reach the gut more readily than some other brands. The downside is that these gummies only come in cranberry flavor, so if you have a picky eater on your hands, these may not work well for you.
Culturelle Kids Chewables Daily Probiotic Formula
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If you’ve been paying attention to probiotics at all, you’ve probably heard of Culturelle and Culturelle Kids. This is one of the biggest brands in probiotics, and it’s not hard to see why. These [amazon link=”B007G7JP2O” title=”tablets”] contain five billion CFUs of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG, which is the world’s most researched probiotic. We love that these are chewable, but are not gummies, which means less of the stuff you don’t want in your kid’s vitamins.
These chewable tablets come in kid-friendly berry flavors and are clinically proven to help with occasional upset stomach and diarrhea as well as other tummy trouble. These little tablets are best for kids that are three or older but are easy to give to your kids because of their fun flavors and small size. They are gluten, soy, dairy, and sugar-free so that you can worry less about allergies as well.
Garden of Life Dr. Formulated Organic Probiotics for Kids
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We love Garden of Life’s probiotic for [amazon link=”B074JLL5KS” title=”kids”] because it goes beyond just the probiotic strains you’re looking for and adds vitamins C and D for immune support as well. This product is GMO-free and certified organic. It features 14 different probiotic strains and five billion CFUs per serving all without necessitating refrigeration. Each chewable also contains a prebiotic fiber blend to help support your current gut bacteria.
You’ll once again find delicious berry flavors in this bottle. The flavors come from whole foods, so you won’t have to worry about anything you’re not sure about winding up in your child’s vitamins. These are kid-friendly, but adults are welcome to take them as well, although they may need a slightly higher dose.
Renew Life Ultimate Flora Kids Probiotic
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If you’re looking for a probiotic that can help [amazon link=”B07B147BNH” title=”kids”] who are a little younger than most, Renew Life’s Ultimate Flora is a great option. The creators of this probiotic recommend it for kids two and up, so even your toddler can enjoy the benefits. We love that it has three billion CFUs per serving and six strains of probiotic that were specifically chosen for their benefits with digestive support.
These chewable tablets are gluten, sugar, and dairy-free to help ease your mind about allergens. They come in a berry-licious flavor, which is a mix of blueberry and raspberry that kids will likely love. They do recommend that these tablets head to the refrigerator after opening for best results, although they are considered shelf-stable and can survive outside of your fridge.
NOW Foods BerryDophilus Chewables
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These chewable [amazon link=”B014RGJ0EY” title=”tablets”] by NOW Foods contain ten different probiotic strains and two billion CFUs per serving. They can work for both children and adults, so you can buy one large bottle for the family if you’d like to do so. These do contain Xylitol as a sweetener, which we don’t love, but it’s a better alternative to some other sweeteners, which can harm your child’s teeth.
These tablets are allergy-free, vegan, and kosher, which makes them an easy choice for families with allergy issues or dietary preferences. Children two and up can begin enjoying these tablets, but you will need to ensure they are taken more often, as the suggested use is one tablet three times per day. These should also remain refrigerated, which can be a turn off for some parents with already overstocked refrigerators.
Nature’s Way Primadophilus for Kids
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We like these once-daily chewable [amazon link=”B01JUNZTQC” title=”tablets”] from Nature’s Way. This is a trusted brand in the supplement industry, and the great cherry flavor can help to ensure your kids look forward to taking their probiotic every day. These tablets contain three billion CFUs per serving of the two most researched strains of probiotic on the market.
These tablets are meant for children ages three to twelve, so they won’t be something you can share with the whole family, but that’s okay since they are formulated specifically for your children’s health. The reason this product doesn’t get our highest score is the added ingredients and preservatives. We don’t love the extras here, but the benefits still seem to outweigh the drawbacks with this product.
Garden of Life RAW Probiotics for Kids
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Garden of Life made our list again with their RAW probiotics [amazon link=”B004H9O4VG” title=”for kids”]. This powdered probiotic is suggested for use with kids as early as three months old so that you can start your child on the right foot very early in life. The “raw” part of the product refers to the raw and organic fruits and vegetables used in the product to create its pre and probiotic benefits.
This powder contains five billion CFUs per serving of five different, highly effective probiotic strains on top of the 81mg of raw fruits and vegetables used in its prebiotic blend. We love that the company has an arrive alive guarantee if you choose to order this brand online, but that does mean that you’ll need to refrigerate this product, which can be a deal-breaker.
Hyperbiotics PRO-Kids Children’s Probiotics
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Although these are not a chewable option, we love that Hyperbiotics has chosen a kid-friendly pearl design and tangy orange flavor for their [amazon link=”B01DOGH3M4″ title=”capsules”] instead of a bulky pill that kids will likely run away from. With three billion CFUs per serving and a guarantee of 15% more survivability as it travels through the stomach, these probiotics certainly have a lot to offer.
We love that these capsules are sugar-free and contain no artificial ingredients, which is hard to find in children’s dietary products often. These pearls are shelf-stable without needing to be stored in your fridge, as long as you keep them in a cool, dry location. This product is most effective for children three and older, but as long as your child can chew, you can start them on these pearls.
Mommy’s Bliss Liquid Probiotics
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Our final favorite in our list of the best probiotics for kids is from Mommy’s Bliss. This [amazon link=”B00TGHNNES” title=”liquid”] probiotic has one billion CFUs per five drops, which is excellent news if your kids aren’t fans of taking pills or chewing vitamins. Just add five drops to a favorite drink, your baby’s formula, or apply to your breast before breastfeeding.
What we love most about these drops is they are safe for use with newborn infants, so you can start your child on a probiotic immediately and help them to develop a healthy immune system from the start. That also means you may have to deal with fewer digestive issues and a lower incidence of constipation. These drops are free of the top eight allergens and contain no GMOs. They do not have to be refrigerated either, which is a big bonus for busy parents.
Final Thoughts
If you’re unsure about what type of probiotic is best for your child, take our list of recommendations to your pediatrician and discuss your options. We’re confident that you will find at least one probiotic that is best for your child.
