Infants and Colic...is There Evidence for Hope?

Everyone who has had a baby fears colic. You hear horror stories about sleep deprived parents staying up at night with an inconsolable baby and feeling defeated with no answers or relief. Trying everything from car rides, specific sleep schedules, medications, feeding positions, only surrendering to the situation and feeling helpless and HOPELESS. Well, there is a silver lining here folks. Research has indicated that nursing mothers that supplement with a specific strand of probiotic Lactobacillus reuteriis for 3 weeks were twice as likely as a placebo to reduce crying by 50% in colicky babies who are exclusively breastfed. This is a great beginning to continued and much needed research in this area of health and how gut bacteria can significantly impact mom and baby's quality of life.

It is important to understand that the Lactobacillus bacterium has many different strands and that this specific strand (reuteriis) was the one that was shown to make a difference in colicky babies. This is a friendly bacteria that is found in the human digestive tract. You can find this strand in the following foods: Yogurt (far more than other sources), Sauerkraut (fermented), Kefir, Kombucha, Pickles (fermented), Apple Cider Vinegar, Kimchi, and Miso Soup. For those of you who would rather take a supplement or capsule for your probiotic intake, you may have a more difficult time finding this specific strand of bacterium in many probiotic supplements sold in stores. I looked high and low at the probiotics carried at Wholefoods, Target, and multiple pharmacies with no avail. Natures Way brand makes multiple products that have Lactobacillus reuterriis. Please see the link below for the full article and research.

Until next time,
Dr. Bree

https://pursuit.unimelb.edu.au/articles/the-probiotic-hope-for-colic.amp