Probiotics Show Promise for Colicky Babies
Lee Swanson Research Update
New research suggests probiotic supplementation may provide comfort for colicky babies and significantly reduce crying. In light of previous research implicating inadequate gut lactobacilli during the first few months of life with the development of infantile colic, researchers conducted a systematic review of three studies evaluating the effects of probiotic supplements in colicky babies. The three studies evaluated included 209 infants, and all utilized the same probiotic species, Lactobacillus reuteri. Treatment success was determined by number of responders (the percentage of infants whose average daily crying time was reduced by half or more) and total duration of crying time (minutes per day).
Of the three trials evaluated, two compared Lactobacillus reuteri with a placebo, and the third with the anti-gas medication simethicone. In all three studies, most of the infants were exclusively breastfed. All three studies demonstrated a positive outcome for infants given probiotics compared with controls, with significant response starting seven days after initiation of therapy and continuing improvement until treatment effect plateaued at three weeks. The study authors concluded that “L. reuteri…significantly decreased the rate (minutes/day) of crying and no short-term safety concerns were identified.”
Anabrees J, Indrio F, Paes B, Alfaleh K. Probiotics for infantile colic: a systematic review. BMC Pediatr. 2013 Nov 15; 13(1):186. doi: 10.1186/1471-2431-13-186.