Probiotics in formula

[Ebony12]

Hi all,
My baby is FF and interested to know if anyone has tried probiotics in the formula and was it a success? My lo has no issues with her formula or constipation but she's got some slightly dry patches on her skin (arms and legs) and wanted to help build some of the good bacteria in her gut. The one I've found online is specially for infants and is added to the formula so very easy to administer.

I wouldn’t add anything extra to formula milk unles it’s medically prescribed. Baby formula is one of the best researched and regulated products for a reason, baby’s have developing digestive systems and need protection.
I don’t mean to sound preachy but making additions to formula might make it dangerous for your baby please don’t. If the problem is with dry skin I’d be inclined to look at oils or lotions and discuss with health visitor etc,
I’m a qualified dietitian and would be very concerned that you could do damage to your little ones kidney function.
Apologies if I’m sounding preachy

I spoke to my doctor about this because I wanted to do the same when mine were younger. He advised against it and said to let their immune system develop and strengthen on their own. They've both had childhood ailments and have been fine fighting things off, but a few weeks ago they had to have antibiotics so I started giving them multivitamin liquid and probiotics after the course of medicine. They've been fine since

@MrsFrTedCrilly I appreciates your frankness not preachy at all. To be honest I've been rather concerned about her gut function with being on formula as she's not getting all the good bacteria that she would have previously got when I initially expressed. I've read that 80% of immunity comes from the gut therefore I just wanted to make sure that if I could be doing something to help then I'd be happy to look into it. I guess when breastfeeding doesn't work out you always feel like a failure, but didn't want to add anything until I had some comments and thoughts here. So thanks again x

Breastfeeding is bloody tough going for some of us. I expressed till 5 months with my first dc and nearly drove myself crazy with guilt and shame of being a dietitian who couldn’t BF properly. Please don’t beat yourself up about this you are feeding your child and looking after them so you are doing a bloody brilliant job!
The gut at birth is still developing so with time gut bacteria /immunity will come for all sorts of places, the food they eat once they are weaned, the toys they lick and the inevitable “floor protein”!
Don’t be made feel bad by anyone else’s opinions, you are doing brilliantly and your little person won’t care a fig whether it’s boobs or bottles in the long run

@MrsFrTedCrilly thanks for your lovely email. I know it's so tough and all the worry that's wrapped up in BF as well. 5 months expressing is amazing and you're completely right, they are not going to care how they were fed, just that they were fed and loved.

Interestingly, my mum reminded me since my little girl was born that her milk never arrived, so I had to go straight onto the bottle. I've never given it a moments thought until I was in my mums situation and my world came crashing down. I do have to remind myself that it all turned out just fine for me.
Quick question-
Would you suggest avoiding using them as well on older children? It's just the other PP mentioned that they used them after a course of antibiotics and it's good to know if you can use temporarily to help your child tummy- should a course of medicine wipe out all the good flora.

I would always go down the route of a healthy balanced diet rather than giving supplements to my kids although I live in the real world and kids aren’t always cooperative! Personally I’m a let food be your medicine type of person so I’d encourage the kids to have yogurt or fermented foods to improve/ readjust their gut after illness antibiotics if they were having issues like diarrhoea etc . I’m very distrustful of all the dubious claims made on food products and miracle cures but that’s the joy of having a science background, lifelong sceptic..that’s a very long winded way of answering isn’t it!!
Enjoy your little person & happy chocolatey weekend

@MrsFrTedCrilly that's good to know. I guess probiotics do fall into the category of fringe science. Yoghurt is wonderful and does have live cultures so I'll follow your lead.
Yes absolutely enjoy- though in our household my partner lives a sugar free life and I've yet to find any Easter eggs without sugar 🙈
Seriously, thanks for the advice as wasn't sure but I'll just stick with the formula as it is.