Probiotics are a group of bacteria living in the human intestine, with Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus as the main representatives. Because they can form a biological barrier in the intestine, reject and inhibit harmful bacteria, produce substances beneficial to human body, promote digestion and absorption and intestinal peristalsis, and enhance human immunity, thus gaining the reputation of “human friends”. The role of probiotics 1, to help the digestion and absorption of nutrients: many probiotics in the gastrointestinal tract can produce digestive enzymes to help the body digest the food consumed and absorb nutrients. 2, produce important nutrients: probiotics can produce vitamins including pantothenic acid, nicotinic acid, B1, B2, B6 and vitamin K and other substances, and also have an important role in bone growth and heart health. 3.Resist the infection of bacteria and viruses to enhance immunity: through three major steps probiotics can remove the harmful bacteria to the body 4.Inhibit the growth of harmful bacteria 5.Inhibit the production of toxins by harmful bacteria. 6.Remove the toxins produced by harmful bacteria. 7.Prevent and treat certain diseases such as intestinal syndrome, respiratory tract infection, reproductive system infection, allergy, bad breath, stomach ulcer, etc. Which babies need to supplement probiotics 1, cesarean section babies, premature babies, low birth weight babies, artificially fed children: these children have low immunity, three days either a cold or enteritis. 2, diarrhea or constipation of the baby: regardless of bacteria, viruses, protozoa caused by infectious diarrhea, or non-infectious diarrhea, there are intestinal flora imbalance. 3, enteritis patients: ulcerative colitis, although the cause is not yet clear, but supplementation of probiotics can achieve certain results. 4, indigestion: small babies due to their own immune system is not mature, gastrointestinal digestive function is weak, prone to indigestion performance, probiotics can promote digestion. 5, lactose intolerance (“milk allergy”): congenital lack of lactase, or the lack of lactase due to intestinal infection, malnutrition, etc., lactose can not be broken down and lead to bloating, diarrhea. Probiotics can help break down the lactose in milk and promote the absorption of nutrients in milk. How to choose and take probiotics 1, choose dry powder preparations, water modulation before use can “activate” probiotics; 2, choose preparations do not contain milk, sugar, gluten and other additives; 3, divided into packages, each time a package dose; 4, modulation of water temperature can not exceed 40 ℃; too high a temperature will make probiotics failure; 5, the use of Probiotics with antibiotics and other drugs interval of at least two hours; 6, eat with the modulation of water, reduce exposure to air time. Common questions from mothers about probiotics? Question 1: Do I still need to take probiotics when my diarrhea is well? During the recovery period of diarrhea, the stools may not return to normal immediately, and the less digestible stools may last for a few days, so continue to take probiotics at this time. By adjusting the intestinal flora, probiotics can not only protect the intestinal mucosa, but also eliminate the harmful bacteria in the intestinal tract, which can then help the digestion and absorption of nutrients. Therefore, it is recommended to continue taking probiotics for 1 to 2 weeks after diarrhea. Question 2: Can yogurt replace probiotics? When breastfed 6.5 month old baby had a hard time defecating and dry stools, mothers fed yogurt to their babies with the purpose of supplementing probiotics. It was considered that yogurt as food is at least safer than medicine. As a result, after two feedings, the baby began to cry, have diarrhea, bloody stools, and worsened eczema – typical of a milk protein allergy. Babies should not receive fresh milk and products until they are one year old. Yogurt is also a fresh milk product. If your little one develops constipation, take probiotics. For babies within 1 year of age or with a history of milk allergy themselves, it is important to pay attention to whether the preparation contains milk or not when taking probiotic preparations, and not to choose milk products such as yogurt. It is better to take probiotics along with prebiotics (such as lactulose oral solution). Drinking more water alone to solve constipation has little effect. You should look for the cause of constipation at the same time. Question 3: Can probiotics be taken for a long time? When babies have gastrointestinal infections or take antibiotics, they can take it for a period of time according to the doctor’s prescription. However, it is not recommended to take it for a long time or as a health supplement.