Probiotics are in kids' yogurts, drinks and chewables, so it is fair to ask whether they are safe. For most healthy children the answer is reassuring, but there are important exceptions every parent should know.
Written by Vita Globe Editorial Team | Reviewed against Cochrane reviews, AGA 2020 guidelines, AAP guidance and FDA safety communications
Are probiotics safe for kids?
For healthy children, probiotics are generally well tolerated. In a Cochrane review of 33 trials, side effects occurred in 4% of children given probiotics versus 6% of controls, and were mostly minor, like gas, bloating or rash[1]. The major exception is premature infants: the FDA warns they are at risk of invasive, potentially fatal infections from probiotics[2]. Children who are seriously ill or immunocompromised also need medical guidance first[3].
Caveat: "Generally safe" is not the same as "helpful." Guidelines support probiotics for only a few specific pediatric uses, and one guideline suggests against them for acute stomach bugs.
Sources: Cochrane review (children), 2019 · FDA safety alert · Doron & Snydman, 2015 · Verified 2026-09-27
IN THIS ARTICLE
Are probiotics safe for healthy children?
In healthy children, the safety record is reassuring. A Cochrane review of 33 randomized trials involving 6,352 children, aged a few days to 17 years, found adverse events in 4% of the probiotic groups and 6% of the control groups. The effects reported were minor, such as rash, nausea, gas, bloating and constipation[1]. The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) likewise notes that in reviews of otherwise healthy children taking antibiotics, no serious side effects were attributed to probiotics[4].
That is not a blank check. Safety reporting across probiotic trials is inconsistent, and researchers have called for better tracking of side effects[3].
Which children should not take probiotics without medical advice?
- Premature infants. The FDA warns that preterm infants given probiotics are at risk of invasive, potentially fatal disease, and it has not approved any probiotic as a drug or biologic for infants. It has reported the death of a preterm infant who developed sepsis from a probiotic organism[2]. The American Academy of Pediatrics does not recommend routine probiotic use in preterm infants, especially those under 1,000 grams[5][2].
- Children with weakened immune systems or serious illness. Immunocompromised and critically ill patients, and those with central venous catheters, face higher theoretical risk from probiotics[3]. The NIH notes that most reported bloodstream infections linked to probiotics involved severely ill or immunocompromised people[6].
Our article Probiotic Side Effects: What’s Normal goes deeper on rare but serious risks.
When might probiotics actually help kids?
The clearest pediatric evidence is for antibiotic-associated diarrhea. In the Cochrane review, diarrhea occurred in 8% of children given probiotics versus 19% of controls. The reviewers concluded that Lactobacillus rhamnosus or Saccharomyces boulardii at 5 to 40 billion CFU per day appeared most appropriate[1]. The AGA 2020 guidelines also suggest specific strains for preventing C. difficile infection in children and adults on antibiotics[7].
For more on this, see Probiotics and Antibiotics: When to Take Them.
Do probiotics help with stomach bugs?
Here the guidance is surprisingly clear in the other direction. For children with acute infectious gastroenteritis, the AGA 2020 guidelines suggest against using probiotics, based on moderate-quality evidence[7]. For a child with vomiting and diarrhea, the priority is keeping them hydrated and calling your pediatrician if you are worried.
How should parents approach probiotics?
- Ask your pediatrician first, especially for infants, children with medical conditions, or any child on medication.
- Use a product labeled for children, with a clear age range and dose.
- Match the strain to the reason. Effects are strain- and condition-specific, so a general product may not match what was studied.
- Keep all supplements out of reach. Gummies look like candy.
Vita Globe does not make a probiotic for children, and our probiotic gummies are not labeled for kids. Please do not give adult supplements to children unless a pediatrician tells you to.
The honest summary
- Probiotics are generally well tolerated in healthy children, with mostly minor side effects[1].
- Premature infants and seriously ill or immunocompromised children are at real risk[2][3].
- Best evidence: specific strains alongside antibiotics[1]. Guidelines suggest against probiotics for acute stomach bugs[7].
- Talk to your pediatrician before starting one.
Our option
Vita Globe Super Probiotic Gummies – Pouch
For the grown-ups in the house: Super Probiotic Gummies contain a live probiotic blend that includes Bacillus coagulans and Bifidobacterium lactis. The suggested use is 2 gummies once daily, and each resealable pouch holds 14 gummies. They are gluten-free, non-GMO and tested by an independent third-party lab. These gummies are not labeled for children.
Frequently asked questions
Can I give my child probiotics every day?
Some children take a daily probiotic, but there is no general recommendation that healthy kids need one. Ask your pediatrician and use a product labeled for your child's age.
Are probiotics safe for babies?
Talk to your pediatrician before giving any probiotic to an infant. The FDA has warned that premature infants given probiotics are at risk of serious, potentially fatal infections[2].
Should my child take probiotics with antibiotics?
Specific strains have been shown to reduce antibiotic-associated diarrhea in children[1]. Ask your pediatrician whether it makes sense and which product to use.
What are the side effects of probiotics in kids?
In trials, side effects were uncommon and mostly minor: rash, nausea, gas, bloating or constipation[1]. Call your pediatrician if your child seems unwell.
Sources
- Guo Q, Goldenberg JZ, Humphrey C, El Dib R, Johnston BC. Probiotics for the prevention of pediatric antibiotic-associated diarrhea. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2019;4:CD004827. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD004827.pub5
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Risk of Invasive Disease in Preterm Infants Given Probiotics Formulated to Contain Live Bacteria or Yeast. Updated August 9, 2024. fda.gov
- Doron S, Snydman DR. Risk and safety of probiotics. Clin Infect Dis. 2015;60(Suppl 2):S129-S134. doi:10.1093/cid/civ085
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. Probiotics: What You Need To Know. nccih.nih.gov
- Poindexter B; Committee on Fetus and Newborn. Use of probiotics in preterm infants. Pediatrics. 2021;147(6):e2021051485. doi:10.1542/peds.2021-051485
- Office of Dietary Supplements, National Institutes of Health. Probiotics: Fact Sheet for Health Professionals. Updated March 25, 2025. ods.od.nih.gov
- Su GL, Ko CW, Bercik P, et al. AGA Clinical Practice Guidelines on the Role of Probiotics in the Management of Gastrointestinal Disorders. Gastroenterology. 2020;159:697-705. gastrojournal.org
About the Vita Globe Editorial Team
The Vita Globe Editorial Team researches and writes our wellness content, working from peer-reviewed research, systematic reviews and guidance from bodies such as the NIH and the FDA. We cite our sources inline and update articles when the evidence changes.
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice. Talk to your healthcare provider before starting any new supplement, particularly if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or caring for a child.
