Do you give your child(ren) probiotic drinks (Yakult/Actimel)?

[chanelno5]

Hi - Am interested to hear about any experiences of children having probiotic drinks, good or bad. Have looked on the Actimel website and it says it is suitable from 1yr and Yakult is suitable from 3yrs. Have you noticed any health benefits? Did your children like the taste? Just something I'm thinking about at the moment so would be grateful for any advice - Thanks.

Hi chanelno5
my children love Yakult. I think the tiny, child sized bottles are what attracts them, though they obviously like the taste as well. I buy it occasionally, but it really annoys me because I feel I'm paying through the nose for basically nothing that is more beneficial than live yoghurt! However, at least it's healthier than the other drink they ask for - Sunny D, the more exotically coloured the better.

I occasionally give dd (2.7) Actimel as she loves the taste/little bottles. Its more for the calcium as she doesnt drink much milk. I don't believe they are any better for you than 'normal' live yogurt.

Thanks sml and Enid, might give them a go then!

My daughter loves it, mainly because her Dad does so it's kind of their special breakfast thing, he swears by its benefits for him but to be honest I haven't kept an eye on what it does/doesn't do for her digestive tract!

My dds both love the orange Actimel. I'm happy if they have it as they don't like much yoghurt. I give it too when they're recovering from a stomach bug. Have no "proof" it helps though!?

Hi Chanelno5, yes my dd has had what she calls her 'special milk' since around 18 months or so. I mix a bio yoghurt or yoghurt drink with full-cream milk - about half and half - in a beaker for her and she has one every day (she'd have 10 if she could though!) In winter I put her echinacea drops in too for an extra 'power shake' and I personally think its helped her stay well (although who knows?) She's only had one stomach upset and two colds in over a year - so not bad going really!
I'd say go for it but the brand I prefer is by littletown dairy 'bio boost' it tastes lovely (especially strawberry) You can get it in tesco - and its loads cheaper than actimel or yakult

I know that Yakult has tons of sugar in it. Solgar make probiotics for children (I think in tablet form) which you might be able to get from health shops. Otherwise I'd make Lizzer's special milk- you could always blend some fruit into it.

We give our 18 month old daughter Actimel once a day. She suffers from reflux on both kidneys, a condition that makes her susceptible to repeated urinary tract infections. As she's on a constant daily dose of prophylactic antibiotics, the consultant recommended we give her live yoghurt or equivalent, each day, to restore the 'good' flora in her gut.

We mix it with her first beaker of milk in the morning. She seems to like it, and doesn't notice any difference from her regular milk. We haven't noticed any other health benefits that could be directly attributed to Actimel, but interestingly, she's not had a cold since we started giving it to her!!