Do I need to take the Bifidobacterium probiotic forever? When should I stop?

For babies (under 12m):

• For most babies under one year, we recommend giving the probiotic for 4 weeks. This is usually enough time to shift a baby’s 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 baby has adequate levels may interfere with the maturation and diversification we expect to see in their gut, particularly as they transition to solids around one year. Since a baby’s gut is still immature and responds rapidly to probiotics, we are cautious about overusing them.

For toddlers (12-36m):

• 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.

For children and adults (age 3 and older)

• We recommend taking the probiotic and prebiotic for at least three months to see its effect on how you feel, and your gut composition. You can take another sample to 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 your child feels when taking it (e.g. more consistent/easier poops, less digestive discomfort).