Digestive Enzymes and Probiotics

[Anonymous]

Our doctor suggested we use a “digestive enzyme” supplement when we feed her the formula. She said it was OK to use an “adult, broad-spectrum” capsule, opened up and poured into her bottle. Since this isn’t a FDA-approved drug I’m finding it hard to find information about the safety, dosing, etc. The ones I’ve been looking at have active ingredients such as proteolytic, lipolytic, and amylolytic enzymes to help digest proteins, fats, and carbs. Has anyone ever used these supplements (brand, dosing, timing, etc)?!?

Also, she did mention probiotics. And I’ve noticed several of you mention them. How do you know what one to get? Is one brand better for babies than another? Is there any good reference information I could check out?

Thanks in advance!

[Anonymous]

First of all – Wow! Your doctor sounds great – really up to date with the current GI stuff! Can I ask who you see? A regular doc, a ped, or a ped GI?

There are a few of us on this forum who use or have used enzymes. Both of my kids take them. We use enzymes from Houston Nutraceuticals. They make a broad-spectrum enzyme called TriEnza which you could likely use a small amount mixed into a bottle. http://www.houstonni.com/

Here are a couple of other posts in this forum about digestive enzymes:

https://www.infantreflux.org/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=9739

https://www.infantreflux.org/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=10849

I’m a huge probiotic fan too. There are 2 that I really like:

Klaire Ther-Biotic Infant formula – it is a multi-strain probiotic that is dairy free and specially formulated for babies. I use for in my youngest, and just add it to her formula once a day.

https://theapexstore.com/Klaire_Labs_Ther-Biotic_Infant.asp

Pro-Bio Gold by Kirkman’s is also a great probiotic. I take this one myself and have used it for both kids, and it is dairy free as well.

http://www.kirkmanlabs.com/products/probiotics/pro_bio/H_PROBIO_Gold_C_60_Spec042.html

Hope this helps!

MFPIx22008-06-27 13:02:05

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the reply!

To answer your question…we see all 3 . Her ped would really only put her on Zantac, reluctantly. He referred us to ped GI at our request. She has put us on Prevacid solutab (however, right now, only 1/2 the dose marci-kids recommends) and she ordered the GI. But, this week I went to see this amazing lady who is a lactation consultant, but also a PhD. She has been practicing for over 30 years, but is very up to date! She is unlike most doctors who only think of drugs and tests. She spent two and a half hours with us talking about the reflux and breastfeeding. I felt a renewed spirit after I left her office. She suggested things the ped and ped GI never did. Like the enzymes, switching DD to a special organic soy formula (not with corn sugars in it) because she may be allergic to dairy, pediatric chiropractor b/c this has sometimes held reflux babies, and more.

She just didn’t give much specifics on the enzymes so I wanted to check it out before I did anything. Can I ask you…

-I know no one can say for sure, but it seems these enzymes are safe for kids…even a 4 month old?

-How much would you give to a 4 month old? The doctor told us to open 1 capsule in each bottle we had to give her with formula supplement. Does this sound right?

THANKS!!

[Anonymous]

Well the lactation consultant, PhD sounds great! Very up to date with the newest cutting edge GI treatments. And how great for her to spend so much time with you. It’s nice to hear of someone like that!

Personally, if you were to go with a comprehensive digestive enzyme like TriEnza, I would recommend only using part of a capsule for a young baby. At 4 months, she would likely do fine with about 1/3 capsule with each feeding, and you could perhaps increase to 1/2 capsule if necessary, or as she gets older. You can just open it up and sprinkle it into her formula or expressed breastmilk and mix it really well. I have a couple tiny little wisks that work great. Since infants usually eat smaller amounts at more frequent intervals, I don’t think it would be necessary to use a full capsule until they are eating bigger meals, perhaps as a toddler.

If you are concerned about possible dairy intolerance/allergy have you eliminated dairy completely from your diet as well? You likely have, but just thought I would mention it.

Good luck! And feel free to ask any more questions.

[hellbennt]

More about enzymes from Kendramom!

https://www.infantreflux.org/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=9982&KW=enzymes

https://www.infantreflux.org/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=9738&KW=enzymes

I put a link to this page here:

https://www.infantreflux.org/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=8970&PN=1 hellbennt2008-07-09 19:27:29

[Anonymous]

great to hear you have so very knowleagble people helping your dd!

we have been using plant based digestive enzymes since Kendra was around 15 months old and i wish we have tried them sooner. Kendra vomtitng and Gi issues got sooooo mcuh better after we started them.

For a 4 month old, i woudl start with a 1/4 capsule with each meal, and increase if no improvement is seen (continue Gi discomfort, too much vomiting). I use those probitoic brand as well and my dd tolerate them well.

Sheri gave you some great info. If you have any other questions, please ask; i’ll try to help out based on my experience.

Leo

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