Probiotics for Kids: What Parents Need to Know

Written by: Sarah Glinski, RD

Updated: January 7th, 2026

A child’s gut microbiota (the community of trillions of bacteria, yeasts, fungi, and more that inhabit your gut) starts to become established at birth and stabilizes at around three or four years of age. With the growing interest in probiotics, you may be wondering whether you should use them to support your child’s health.

This article will explore the role of probiotics for kids, highlighting several conditions where probiotics may offer potential benefits. We’ll also provide tips for introducing probiotics into your child’s diet, teach you how to choose the right probiotic, and answer some frequently asked questions about probiotics for kids.

What are Probiotics?

Simply put, probiotics are beneficial, live microorganisms that, when taken in the correct amounts, provide health benefits to the person taking them. While there are lots of probiotic products that claim to improve various aspects of health, many of them have not been specifically studied in children.

When we talk about probiotics, we often talk about probiotic strains. Just like dog or cat breeds have different traits, different probiotic strains do different things in the body, like helping prevent antibiotic-associated diarrhea, treating colic, or preventing and treating childhood eczema.

Probiotics for kids often come in chewables, liquid drops, or flavourless powders that can be added to their food and drinks. However, did you know that some foods, such as certain yogurts or kefirs, also contain probiotics? Even if your child isn’t taking a probiotic supplement, they can benefit from adding probiotic-rich foods to their diet.

What are the differences between pre- and probiotics for kids?

The supplement aisle can be a confusing place, and you may have noticed that there are both pre- and probiotics for kids. While they sound similar, they’re actually quite different.

Think of your gut as a garden. Probiotics are like the seeds (the good bacteria and yeasts you want to grow). In contrast, prebiotics are like the fertilizer (the food that helps those seeds grow strong and healthy). Both work together to keep your gut in balance.

What are the Benefits of Probiotics for Kids?

While the research on the benefits of probiotics for kids is still evolving, there are several health conditions that research indicates may benefit from the use of specific probiotic strains, including:

Preventing antibiotic-associated diarrhea
Managing constipation
Preventing and managing childhood eczema
Improve infant colic symptoms
Managing functional abdominal pain
Managing irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
Managing infectious diarrhea
Managing necrotizing enterocolitis in infants (only used as part of hospital protocol; not for self-administration)
Reducing regurgitation and improving gut motility.
Oral health (reducing the incidence of tonsillitis, laryngitis, and cavities).
Liver health (treating different types of liver disease when used in conjunction with standard therapy).
Preventing community-acquired infections like ear infections, colds, and the flu.

However, not every probiotic on the market has scientific evidence supporting its use. Remember how we talked about probiotic strains? When it comes to health benefits, only certain probiotic strains work for certain health conditions. In other words, while one probiotic strain may be effective at improving colic symptoms, it may not be effective for managing IBS. That’s why it’s important to match the right probiotic strain to the right health condition.

Here are some common probiotics strains that research has shown are beneficial for kids:

Lacticaseibacillus reuteri DSM 17938 (has been studied for its potential to help reduce the risk of antibiotic-associated diarrhea, support eczema prevention, manage infant colic, and more).
L. reuteri ATCC PTA 5289 and L. reuteri DSM 17938 (used for oral health).
Streptococcus salivarius K12 (used for oral health).
Bifidobacterium longum CECT7894/KABP042 and Pediococcus pentosaceus CECT 8330/KABP041 (used to treat colic).
Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus GG (has been widely studied for its potential to reduce the risk of antibiotic-associated diarrhea, support eczema management in children, alleviate IBS symptoms, and support liver health in obesity-related conditions).
Saccharomyces boulardii Iyo CNCM I-745 (used for preventing antibiotic-associated diarrhea, treating infectious diarrhea, and more).
L. rhamnosus GG and B. lactis BB-12 (used for preventing childhood eczema and preventing community-acquired infections like ear and respiratory infections).
L. acidophilus NCFM and B. animalis subsp. Lactis Bi-07 (used for preventing community-acquired infections like cold and flu).

Again, it’s important that you choose the right probiotic strain for the right health condition. Simply choosing a random probiotic off the shelf to “improve gut health” likely won’t be beneficial. You’ll learn more about how to choose a probiotic later in this article.

Food Sources of Probiotics for Kids

While fermented foods are becoming more popular, not all of them contain probiotics. When looking for foods that contain probiotics, look for the words “live active cultures.” This means that the food includes live microorganisms.

Some kid-friendly probiotic foods include:

Yogurt
Kefir (both dairy and non-dairy based)
Some fermented vegetables, like sauerkraut and dill pickles (look for them in the refrigerator section, as the shelf-stable versions have likely been heat-treated and no longer contain live microorganisms).

Including these foods regularly in your child’s diet can help support a healthy gut microbiota.

Tips for Introducing Probiotics for Kids

Some probiotic foods, like kefir and tempeh, have flavours your child may not be used to. If you’re looking to add probiotics to your child’s routine, these simple tips can help make the process easier:

Add probiotic yogurt or kefir to smoothies, along with frozen fruits your child likes.
Serve a small amount of sauerkraut or pickles (check the label to ensure they contain live microbes) alongside other foods your child enjoys, such as sandwiches or soups.
If you’re using a probiotic supplement, make it a part of your child’s daily routine. For example, try sprinkling probiotic powder on their cereal in the morning, adding probiotic drops to their water or milk, or giving them a chewable probiotic after dinner.

When adding probiotics to your child’s diet, it’s important to introduce them slowly and to monitor for side effects like gas, bloating, and changes in bowel movements. When assessing the effectiveness of a probiotic supplement, have your child try it for at least four weeks. If there are no changes in your child’s symptoms after four weeks, it’s likely that it won’t be effective with continued use, and you can discontinue the probiotic supplement.

When to Talk to a Doctor

While probiotics can be beneficial for treating a variety of conditions in children, there are some instances where you should talk with your child’s doctor:

If digestive symptoms persist or worsen despite adding probiotics, it could be a sign of an underlying condition like IBS, IBD, or food intolerance.
Before starting any new supplement, including probiotics, especially if they have underlying health conditions or take medications. For example, if your child has been prescribed antibiotics, you should speak with their doctor about probiotics to help restore healthy gut bacteria.
If they’re experiencing poor weight gain or limited growth.

Remember, while probiotics can be effective in certain situations, they’re not a cure-all, and it’s important to seek medical attention if your child is experiencing any of the above symptoms.

How to Choose the Right Probiotic for Kids

Now that you know that probiotics can be beneficial for a variety of conditions in children, you may be wondering how to choose the best probiotic for your child. Here are four factors to consider when selecting a probiotic:

Choose the right strain: Look for strains that are well-studied in the condition you’re looking to treat or prevent. To look for evidence-based probiotics, go to probioticchart.ca, which is a website that provides information about which probiotics to choose for different health conditions.
Check the CFU count: CFU stands for “colony forming units” and is a measure of how many live microorganisms are present in the probiotic. Choose a probiotic supplement that has at least one billion CFU per dose. When checking the CFU per dose, read the package carefully, as not all CFUs are guaranteed to the date of expiry (some products only guarantee CFU at the time of manufacture).
Look for third-party testing: Third-party testing ensures that the supplement contains only what is listed on the label.
Pick a kid-friendly format: Probiotics for kids come in powders, chewables, and liquid drops. Choose one that fits your child’s age and preferences to help make daily use easier.

Finding the right probiotic can take a little trial and error, but starting with these guidelines can help you choose a safe and effective option for your child.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are probiotics safe for kids?

In general, probiotics are safe for kids. However, if your child is immunocompromised or critically ill, it’s best to discuss starting a probiotic with their healthcare provider, as some research suggests that these groups of individuals are at a higher risk of complications with probiotic use.

Are probiotics good for kids?

Probiotics can provide health benefits to some children. For example, children with colic or eczema may benefit from a probiotic strain targeted to their specific condition.

What are the best probiotics for kids’ constipation?

Currently, the only probiotic strain recommended that may help manage constipation in children is Lacticaseibacillus reuteri DSM 17938. This strain is recommended by AEProbio (Association for Education on Probiotics), a non-profit organization that promotes evidence-based education and research on probiotics and their health benefits.

Which probiotic is best for diarrhea for kids?

Different probiotic strains are recommended depending on the type of diarrhea a child is experiencing. For example, L. reuteri DSM 17938, L. rhamnosus GG, and S. boulardii Iyo CNCM I-445 are recommended for preventing antibiotic-associated diarrhea and treating infectious diarrhea, while B. lactis BB-12 is only recommended for preventing antibiotic-associated diarrhea.

What are the best probiotics for kids after antibiotics?

In general, it’s best to take probiotics before or during antibiotics to prevent antibiotic-associated diarrhea. L. reuteri DSM 17938, L. rhamnosus GG, and S. boulardii Iyo CNCM I-445 can all be used in the prevention of antibiotic-associated diarrhea in children.

How long does it take for probiotics to work?

Probiotics can take different amounts of time to work depending on the condition you’re trying to treat. For example, treating antibiotic-associated diarrhea can take as little as five days, while treating constipation can take up to four weeks. In general, it’s best to try a probiotic supplement for at least four weeks to accurately assess its effectiveness.

Key Takeaways

Not all probiotics are created equal. The health benefits of probiotics are strain-specific, and it’s important to match the right probiotic strain to your child’s specific needs or conditions.
Research supports the use of specific probiotic strains to help manage colic, eczema, and antibiotic-associated diarrhea, as well as several other conditions, in children.
Food sources and supplements both have a role in overall health. Probiotic-rich foods like yogurt and kefir can be a simple way to support gut health, while supplements may be beneficial for more targeted treatment.
It’s best to speak with your child’s doctor before starting a probiotic supplement, especially in children with ongoing symptoms or underlying conditions.

Download the ‘Probiotics for Kids: Frequently Asked Questions’ Infographic

Download the ‘Probiotics for Kids’ Infographic

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