I’m taking a Bifidobacterium probiotic. When should I resample? What will I see on the next test? (all ages)

Babies (under 12m):

• We recommend taking another stool sample after your baby has received 4 weeks of the full dose of the probiotic and we can analyze if levels are high enough. Wait 3 days after you stop the probiotic before taking the sample so we can get a true reading of what has colonized baby’s gut.
• For most babies under 1 year, 4 weeks is enough to boost Bifidobacterium levels and we can see those increased levels on your next samples. Bifidobacterium is protective so if baby had an elevated C-section index or certain Opportunistic Pathogens, we would expect to see those decrease.
• Occasionally, a baby’s gut does not respond to a specific probiotic formulation. Every baby has a unique gut ecosystem that may have an impact on how the new bacteria strains can take hold. If we haven’t seen an impact in 4 weeks, we recommend switching to another product on the list above.

Toddlers (12m - 36m):

• For most toddlers 12-36 months, we recommend giving the probiotic for 6 weeks. This is usually enough time to see an effect in the gut. After that we recommend stopping the probiotic and taking another sample to see if levels of Bifidobacterium in the gut are high enough.
• Once Bifidobacterium levels are high enough, we recommend stopping the probiotic. Although more research needs to be done here, our early findings indicate that continuing to give probiotics once a toddler has adequate levels may interfere with the maturation and diversification we expect to see in their gut. Since a toddler’s gut is still immature and responds rapidly to probiotics, we are cautious about overusing them.

Children and Adults (3 years and older):

• We recommend taking another stool sample after three months of taking the probiotic and we can analyze if levels have changed. Wait 1 week after you stop the probiotic before taking the sample so we can get a true reading of what has colonized the gut.
• There is some debate if probiotics alone can shift a mature gut (3 years and older), or if that is only possible along with significant dietary and lifestyle changes. We recommend pairing the probiotic with the dietary changes in your action plan recommended for boosting Bifidobacterium. The mature gut is a complex system and more research needs to be done on how it changes in response to probiotics and supplements.
• However, probiotics with Bifidobacterium have benefits as they pass through the system, even if they do not colonize. Also pay attention to how you feel with the probiotic (more consistent, easier poops, less digestive discomfort).