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Can Probiotic Be Given To An Infant For Constipation And Acid Reflux?

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Posted on Tue, 11 Sep 2012
Question: can you give a 5 week old baby a probiotic supplement to help with constipation and acid reflux? My little does well on the enfamil AR formula but has trouble with bowels for which he has to strain to pass which increases his reflux.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Aparna Kohli (2 hours later)
Hi XXXXXXX
Thanks for writing in.
Routine supplementation of probiotics for a 5 week old child is not recommended. For all children less than 6 months of age, exclusive breast feeding is recommended. As such constipation is rare in breast fed infants.
If you're giving him a supplement like Enfamil AR, you could consider giving him fruit juices which have been prepared at home, so you add all that fibre back into the fruit.
Reflux is something which will definitely get better with age.
I hope that answers your question.
regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Aparna Kohli (10 hours later)
When you talk about fruit juice that has been prepared at home what do you mean by that exactly? And how much do you give? Thank you for your answer.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Aparna Kohli (9 minutes later)
Hi XXXXXXX
Fruit juice at home would mean just peeling an orange or any fruit you like and crushing it in the blender with some water and sugar ( if required). That way we retain the fibre of the fruit. You can give as much as your child would be willing to take. This should significantly help.
Regards
Note: For further queries related to your child health, Talk to a Pediatrician. Click here to Book a Consultation.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Aparna Kohli

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2009

Answered : 983 Questions

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Can Probiotic Be Given To An Infant For Constipation And Acid Reflux?

Hi XXXXXXX
Thanks for writing in.
Routine supplementation of probiotics for a 5 week old child is not recommended. For all children less than 6 months of age, exclusive breast feeding is recommended. As such constipation is rare in breast fed infants.
If you're giving him a supplement like Enfamil AR, you could consider giving him fruit juices which have been prepared at home, so you add all that fibre back into the fruit.
Reflux is something which will definitely get better with age.
I hope that answers your question.
regards