probiotics while pregnant?

[valentine]

I am 7 months pregnant - can I take probiotics (acidophilus)? And can i take them while breastfeeding? Also, where can I get probiotics from to give to my DD (aged 20 months with an egg allergy?)

Yes, do take them. They are good for you and for your baby - can cut the baby's risk of allergies too. Your dd can have things like Actimel or Yakult. My ds likes them a lot.

can anyone recommend a brand that would be OK for me whilst pg (5-6 months). And if I continue to take whilst bf, will the baby need them too, or only when he starts mixed feeding?

The idea is that you take them whilst breastfeeding and they get through. I have some that dissolve in water which I theoretically would have given to ds, except I only heard about them once he was older.

I would use the powder that you mix with other food, but that's because my ds is sensitive to lots of additives, and allergic to some preservatives and colourings.

Ask at a health food shop.

Thanks Bobbybob

I was thinking of going for the Solgar powder, as it is a good brand I think. They do warn about taking whilst pg and bf, which is a bit confusing.

Probiotics seem very cheap to buy on the net from the USA, does anyone have experience of this? Much cheaper than from health food shops over here.

I've heard the solgar ones mentioned. I think everything has a warning about pg and breastfeeding, but honestly there have been finnish and NZ studies which show it is not only safe but beneficial.

I would go for a trusted brand from a UK shop, remember to keep in the fridge and take it everyday. They are also excellent for helping with stomach bugs and food poisoning so a good little all rounder.

Agree with the others. Just about everything has warnings for pregnancy/breastfeeding but the research available shows they are beneficial. If you like live yoghurt that's an easy way to get them. My kids love those. If you're avoiding dairy you can get dairy free ones in most health food stores, certainly in Holland and Barrett.

Don't remember which strain the trials used but suspect any probiotic would be helpful.

I've bought stuff from America but not probiotics. Generally I'm happier not giving out credit card details to countries with laxer privacy laws

If you do live yoghurts though you have to remember to have some each day. I liked the tablets because the coating only broke down in the right part of the gut.

For ds obviously it had to be powder, but I am currently giving him the amount in about 10 yogurts each day - any less and his excema returns.

If you are breastfeeding and taking probiotics do you need to give the baby probiotics in powder form as well? And what brand of probiotics (powder from) do you suggest for babies/toddlers?

No, if you take them the baby gets them through breastmilk (which contains them even if you don't take supplements)

It's a personal choice - you may need a dairy free one - you may not be bothered and dairy based ones may be cheaper. You want the most live bacteria for your money.

although breastmilk generally contains probiotics I'd still add them to your diet if you're breastfeeding. The level of probiotics would probably depend on the level and type of bacteria in the mother. Certainly breastfeeding didn't stop my children having allergies.

for what its worth my sons consultant told me to tell my sister in law to take probiotics when preganat to cut the risk of allergies. Her son is the only child out of six kids (from me and my sibs) who does not have serious food allerges!
good luck