A word of caution about probiotics…
Here in Spain both Nestle and Danon are supporting probiotic research.
Current marketing of probiotics for breastfeeding mothers is so agressive
right now... you would not believe how many of the mothers I see are taking
them. The initial recommendation was to take probiotics for “subacute
mastitis” and during antibiotic treatment for acute mastits. But the
campaign has been so aggresive, specially among midwives, that mothers are
being told to buy probiotics for breast pain, nipple pain, low milk supply,
and now even for prevention of breastfeeding problems. The latest is that
pregnant mothers are taking them to prevent breastfeeding problems after
their babies are born!!! It is completely, ridiculously out of hand. I hope
this craze does not get to where you all are helping moms and babies.
I do not agree with what you say, Jennifer, that probiotics need to be
given when anyone takes antibiotics. Unless it is a brutal, prolonged dose
of antibiotics, normal flora usually returns in more or less time. Human
flora is so diverse, so different for each individual, and so well
designed, that we have to give it some credit. We cannot standardize
probiotics - how can we know that precisely that one bacteria is good for
that one individual, if we are all so different and there are so many
factors that modulate our flora?
Seeing the current avalanch, I´ve started gathering data on mothers who
come to my practice with breast and or nipple pain and are taking
probiotics at the time of the visit. Some have been on probiotics for ore
than a month when I see them. Obviuosly, the probiotics have not made these
mothers better, or they would not come. And what I´m starting to see (and
jot down) are many mothers who, WHILE ON PROBIOTICS, have one or more
episodes of acute mastitis. Others have abscesses, also while on
probiotics. Others report that their babies´ stools have turned green or
that baby is fussy, and this stops after they stop the probiotics. Of
course, this is merely observational and I can´t deduce causality. But I´m
starting to be very worried. And, at the very least, the probiotics
certainly did not prevent mastitis or abscesses.
Dawn writes: I've been recommending probiotics supplements for babies, ever
since. It's one of the few things in the world that can't hurt and is
highly likely to have a positive effect.
Well, I would not agree to that. On the one hand, probiotics can be
contaminated and have caused at least, that we know of, the death of one
baby.
http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/835514
On the other I have seen babies who grow fussy or colichy or green-stooled
when given probiotics. And we know so little about human milk flora and
what modulates it that we can´t play god and pretend to know exactly what
particular bacteria will be the perfect one for this mother or that baby.
One size does not fit all, and even less in something as complex as this.
Remember, almost all probiotic research is done or funded by industry. They
make A LOT of money. A bottle with 28 probiotic pills costs 30 euros here
(32 USD). And they are being sold like candy, recommended by midwives, Obs,
peds and other HCP thanks to brilliant marketing.
I am just saying be cautious, I would not recommend probiotics lightly or
to everyone.
Worried in Madrid
Kika
--
Dra. Carmela Baeza
Médico de Familia
Consultora Certificada en Lactancia Materna IBCLC
www.centroraices.com
http://www.facebook.com/Consulta.Lactancia.Raices
<http://www.facebook.com/pages/Centro-de-Atenci%C3%B3n-a-la-Familia-Ra%C3%ADces/274415189309122>
Autora de "Amar con los Brazos Abiertos"
http://www.ediciones-encuentro.es/libro/amar-con-los-brazos-abiertos.html
Comprometida con el Derecho a Vivir
http://derechoavivir.org
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