Probiotics can help prevent colds in children and now a new study has found that they may reduce the number of bellyaches in children with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). In 2009, a study of Chinese children between the ages of 3 and 5 found that those children who drank milk with Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium animalis added had 59 percent fewer runny noses, 62 percent fewer coughing episodes, and 72 percent fewer fevers.

A recent study of Italian children with IBS between the ages of 5 and 14 found that those who were treated with Lactobacillus rhamnosus strain GG daily for 8 weeks when compared to placebo had a significant reduction in their belly pain episodes. Those given probiotics only had one pain episode weekly as opposed to an average of 4 per week. The placebo group had 2 episodes a week. The intensity of the symptoms dropped significantly in the treated group as well. The treatment remained effective up until 8 weeks after the trial was finished.

Probiotics are healthy bacteria that seem to help children as well as adults. If you want to keep your children healthy you might want to consider using them especially if you want to prevent colds in the winter and if you have children with chronic belly pain due to IBS.