Your gut contains trillions of microbes, including bacteria, fungi and viruses. Some are linked with better health outcomes, while others are linked with worse outcomes.
Beneficial bacteria with known, targeted health-related benefits are often packaged as probiotic supplements. These are sold as capsules, drinks, gummies or powders, among other forms.
Fermented foods also contain bacteria, which may be dead or alive. The health-related benefits of these foods are still being studied, but of course, supplements are more targeted towards specific health conditions.
In this article, we’ll explain whether probiotic supplements can help support your child’s health. We’ll also describe any safety concerns and help you select a good-quality product.
What are the benefits of probiotics for kids?
The effects of probiotics on children is a relatively new area of research, but it’s picking up steam.
There’s already evidence that some probiotic supplements might support children with certain conditions. We cover some of these below.
However, it’s worth bearing in mind that the potential benefits of probiotics depend on many factors. For instance, different products contain different bacterial strains, which are likely to influence symptoms in different ways.
Finally, everyone’s gut microbiome is unique, so each of us might respond slightly differently, even to the exact same probiotic supplement.
We’ll explore some things to look out for if you’re choosing probiotics for your child later on. First, let’s delve into some of the potential benefits.
Gut health
To date, the strongest evidence of probiotic benefits in kids is for:
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Treating infectious gastroenteritis: This is sometimes called stomach flu, and it causes symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhoea and stomach cramps.
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Preventing antibiotic-associated diarrhoea: Many people who take antibiotics develop diarrhoea, including children.
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Diarrhoea associated with Clostridioides difficile: This bacterium causes an infection known as C. diff. It’s often triggered by taking antibiotics, which upset the balance of the gut microbiome.
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Hospital-associated diarrhoea: When people stay in a hospital for a few days or more, they often develop diarrhoea.
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Colic: When a baby cries a lot without any obvious cause, it’s known as colic.
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Necrotising enterocolitis: This is a life-threatening intestinal condition that can occur in premature babies. It’s sometimes called NEC.
Eczema and allergies
There’s some evidence that children who take probiotics are less likely to develop certain health conditions when they grow up.
For instance, studies show that taking probiotics during pregnancy and infancy is associated with a reduced risk of atopic dermatitis, better-known as eczema.
Similarly, other researchers have concluded that taking probiotics in infancy is linked to a reduced risk of an allergy to cow’s milk. When probiotics were taken during pregnancy and infancy, it was associated with a reduced risk of an egg allergy, too.
Respiratory tract infections
Infections of the respiratory system, which includes the throat, voice box and windpipe, are very common in children.
Although not conclusive, there’s some evidence that probiotics can reduce the frequency and severity of these infections.
Autism
Autistic children often experience gut symptoms, including pain, constipation and diarrhoea.
Experts believe that these symptoms are due to an unbalanced gut microbiome, and that probiotic supplements may ease symptoms for some of these children.
Are probiotics for kids safe?
Overall, scientists have shown that good-quality probiotics are safe for the vast majority of children. For instance, an analysis of more than 70 studies investigated adverse events in people younger than 18 years.
Some of these studies involved healthy children, and others focused on kids with health conditions. The authors concluded that their analysis ‘revealed no major safety concerns’ in either healthy kids or kids with health conditions.
Moreover, in some studies, adverse events were more common in the placebo group than in the group taking probiotic supplements.
Some children may experience mild gut symptoms when they first start taking probiotics, but these don’t tend to last long.
Also, in very rare cases, children who are very poorly or have a severely compromised immune system can develop infections due to probiotics.
How to choose probiotics for children
The first step is to get advice. Pop into your local pharmacy and speak to a pharmacist if you have any questions or concerns.
If your child has any existing health issues, it’s best to speak with your doctor before trying out a new probiotic.
The next step is to spot the right strain. Opt for a probiotic that targets the health condition or symptom you want to manage, and look for products backed up by scientific evidence.
Here are some examples of probiotic strains to check for:
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Limosilactobacillus reuteri for colic, diarrhoea and constipation
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Saccharomyces boulardii or Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG for antibiotic‑associated diarrhoea
As we’ve mentioned, there are many strains of bacteria to choose from, and they might all have different benefits.
If you don’t know what’s causing the symptoms, or if you’re just hoping to support your child’s gut health, consider opting for a product that contains more than one or two strains. When it comes to ‘good’ bacteria, it’s certainly a case of the more the merrier.
Below are other considerations when you’re selecting a probiotic for kids:
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How many bacteria does it contain? The amount of bacteria in probiotics is measured in colony-forming units (CFUs). And not all products contain enough to be effective. Make sure you choose a product with 10 million to 10 billion CFUs.
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Select the right form: There are many options, and your child may prefer gummies, chewables, sachets or powders. You might need to experiment until you find the best one.
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Quality check: Look for third-party testing and other relevant certifications. It’s also worth making sure that there aren’t too many unnecessary additives in the product.
FAQs
Here, we’ll answer some frequently asked questions about probiotics for children.
Are probiotic supplements safe for kids?
Yes. Studies have shown that probiotic supplements are generally safe for children. However, it’s always best to check with a healthcare professional, especially if your child is very sick or their immune system is weakened.
Which probiotics are best for children?
This depends on the symptoms you’re trying to treat. However, in general, it’s best to choose a supplement that contains at least 10 million CFUs and has been tested by a third party.
Do probiotics relieve constipation in children?
There’s some evidence that certain strains of probiotics, such as L. reuteri, can relieve symptoms of constipation in children.
Can probiotics improve diarrhoea in children?
It depends on the cause of diarrhoea, but research shows that some probiotics, such as S. boulardii and L. rhamnosus GG, effectively reduce diarrhoea caused by antibiotics.
L. reuteri may reduce symptoms of diarrhoea that isn’t caused by antibiotics.
Summary
Research shows that probiotic supplements can help relieve some gut problems, such as colic, constipation and antibiotic-associated diarrhoea.
There’s also evidence that these supplements might reduce the risk of developing eczema and some food allergies.
Importantly, experts agree that probiotics are generally safe for children. But it’s best to speak with your doctor first, especially if your kids are very sick or have weakened immune systems.
When choosing a probiotic for your child, make sure it contains the species you need for any symptoms they’re experiencing, backed up by scientific evidence. Check that the product provides a dosage that’s effective and safe. Looking for products that have undergone third-party testing will help.
You might need to experiment with different forms, such as gummies or chewables, to find one that your child likes best.
To learn more about other gut health topics, visit Symprove’s Gut Hub.
Sources
Advancements related to probiotics for preventing and treating recurrent respiratory tract infections in children. Frontiers in Pediatrics. (2025). Link.
Can probiotics benefit children with autism spectrum disorders? World Journal of Gastroenterology. (2014). Link.
Can probiotics prevent respiratory tract infections in infants and children? (2024). Link.
Efficacy of Limosilactobacillus reuteri UBLRu-87 in infantile colic and its symptoms: A double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Cureus. (2025). Link.
Lactobacillus reuteri DSM 17938 (Limosilactobacillus reuteri) in diarrhea and constipation: Two sides of the same coin? Medicina. (2021). Link.
Probiotic checklist. (n.d.). Link.
Probiotic supplementation for prevention of atopic dermatitis in infants and children: A systematic review and meta-analysis. American Journal of Clinical Dermatology. (2018). Link.
Probiotics and necrotizing enterocolitis. (n.d.). Link.
Probiotics for infantile colic: Is there evidence beyond doubt? A meta-analysis and systematic review. Acta Paediatrica. (2023). Link.
Probiotics in pediatrics. A review and practical guide. Nutrients. (2021). Link.
Probiotics supplementation during pregnancy or infancy on multiple food allergies and gut microbiota: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Nutrition Reviews. (2025). Link.
Safety of probiotics and synbiotics in children under 18 years of age. Beneficial Microbes. (2015). Link.
