Do Probiotics Work Right Away for Digestive Issues?

Updated on January 16, 2012
E.M. asks from Chicago, IL
10 answers

My 4 yr old has a stomach bug, but is too young for OTC anti-diarrhea meds. The doc suggested probiotics and/or yogurt. Can I expect these to make a difference in a day or two?

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So What Happened?

Well, it has been 2 days or probiotics and he still has diarrhea -- about 3 or 4 occurrences today. (I've given him Rainbow Light Probilicious Gummies and 1 or 2 small containers of Activia each day.) He is eating bland food -- mainly toast and Pedialyte. I'll keep giving him the probiotics. I just feel sorry for him...it has been almost a week!

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N.S.

answers from Chicago on

I used Florastor kids with my 5 year old and I would swear that I saw a difference in a day. Although, he was over the bug but just couldn't get regulated. It is now a staple in my medicine cabinet and I give it to him at the first sign of tummy trouble:)

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S.S.

answers from Los Angeles on

It's always worked for my son within 24 hours but it probably depends on how strong the stomach bug is. Yogurt won't help - not enough probiotics in there unless you're eating them by the gallon which your son won't want to do if he's sick to his stomach. Get Culturelle or some other probiotic meant for kids and give him that instead. If nothing else, it'll at least help releive the symptoms if not completely stop it. Good luck!

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B..

answers from Dallas on

Sometimes you can, sometimes you can't. Even if you don't see an obvious difference immediately, they are still working away internally. My son has been on probiotics since the day he was born. I encourage you to keep your daughter on them, even when she shakes the B..

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M.J.

answers from Sacramento on

Yes. Our daughter started a day at Disneyland with diarrhea. About ready to take her back to the hotel when I remembered hearing that yogurt could help. Got her a meal with yogurt and she ended up fine the rest of the day. Couldn't believe how quickly it worked! I have IBS and probiotics do wonders, but even I was surprised.

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S.L.

answers from Boston on

Probiotics for a stomach bug? I guess it can help regulate her tummy and eventually ease her diarrhea but probiotics usually take up to 2 weeks to really start working. I'm thinking you would like your daughters diarrhea to be gone by then! :) You don't state how old your daughter is but they do make a Childrens Pepto-bismal and its in a cherry chewable tablet. Its very safe. Talk to your pharmacist about it. Best wishes!

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A.S.

answers from Chicago on

We're going through this now with our infant (9mos), and it takes 7-10 days, but she started with a stomach bug then needed an antibiotic for an ear infection. Yogurt alone wasn't enough. We used Florastor for a week before we saw an improvement. The dose for Florastor and Florastor Kids is the same (250mg). If they don't have the kids version at your pharmacy, then just open the capsules (that's what my pediatrician recommended). We used it twice a day for 1 week.

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J.L.

answers from Chicago on

Yes in a few days you will notice a difference. We had my son on probiotics and yogurt and he did not have any issues with this last go around with antibiotics. Use florastor kids and yogurt that has active cultures. Should help a lot.

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B.D.

answers from Pittsburgh on

From my own experience, I would say no. It took me 7 weeks on probiotics to feel that I was back to normal. My problem was not due to a stomach bug though.

As for yogurt, I would recomend you avoid ALL dairy for a while. Actually I would try sticking with the BRATdiet (bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast) for a few days to see if that rights the ship.

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A.M.

answers from Chicago on

In my experience, probiotics have helped within a day. My son had to go on antibiotics for an ear infection when he was about 15 months old, after 2 doses he had horrible diarrhea, gave him probiotics (mixed with yogurt) and within 8 hrs, his gut was back to normal. My girlfriend recentlly started giving them to her 4 month old who was only going about once a week and had terrible painful gas and she was cleaned out within about 8 hours and goes 2-3x's a day now regularly. I've taken them as well for various reasons off and on and they've always helped me within 24 hrs. I now take them daily or every other day. I highly recommend them.

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M.P.

answers from Peoria on

It has worked for us within a day. Try Florastor for kids. It is pricey but totally worth it in my opinion...better than cleaning up after a kid that can't make it to the bathroom on time and feels miserable.

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