The first year of a baby's life is the hardest for mothers. Tormenting colic gives way to digestive disorders in the form of constipation, diarrhea and infectious intestinal diseases. The baby adapts to the outside world and gets used to nutrition. The stomach and intestines of a newborn are subject to heavy load, as a result of which malfunctions in their functioning are possible. Approaching the age of 6 months, the baby will have to start trying adult foods - this stage also poses a risk of developing digestive problems.
Often, parents manage to cope with the problem without drug treatment, because some changes in the body are normal, age-related characteristics. There are situations when you cannot do without the help of probiotics. Sometimes it is very important to populate a weakened intestine with beneficial microflora. The most popular probiotic is Linex. Let us dwell in detail on its advantages and application options. We’ll also talk about how to save money without compromising your child’s health.
Introducing complementary foods can cause digestive problems
Properties, composition and forms of medicine for children
The main components of the medicine are beneficial bacteria. The active substance of Linex is the combined component Lebenin, consisting of bacteria, potato starch and lactose. Microorganisms in the product:
- Lactobacillus acidophilus maintains the natural acidic pH of the gastrointestinal tract, thereby stopping the development of pathogenic microorganisms;
- Bifidobacterium infantis is a beneficial bacterium in the human body;
- fecal enterococcus is a naturally occurring bacteria necessary to ferment food without producing gas.
Excipients: magnesium stearate, gelatin and titanium dioxide. When choosing a medicine for a newborn, it is important to pay attention to its components to avoid an allergic reaction. The product is used with caution for children with dairy intolerance.
The drug is packaged in a cardboard package, inside which there are from 2 to 8 blisters made of paper or soft foil (depending on the release form) of white color. These small sachets contain a light, odorless powder that must be diluted. The contents most often have a grayish tint. There are other forms of release - capsules and drops. Adults take the medicine in granule form.
How the drug works
Linex is a combination drug from the group of probiotics. Its active component is a complex of several types of lactic acid bacteria that form the natural microflora in the human intestine.
When the previously dried bacteria enter the gastrointestinal tract of a newborn, they quickly “come to life,” become active, and begin to multiply, populating all parts of the gastrointestinal tract.
Linex is a probiotic drug containing lactic acid bacteria.
The bacteria contained in the drug perform several useful functions in the child’s body:
- provoke fermentation of lactose, forming an acidic environment in the intestines, which inhibits the development and reproduction of harmful bacteria and microbes;
- produce bacteriocins - specific proteins that prevent the growth of harmful microorganisms in the gastrointestinal tract;
- take an active part in the synthesis of vitamins K, B1, B2, B6, B12;
- produce lactic, acetic and succinic acids, as a result of which microelements and vitamins are better absorbed into the blood;
- significantly facilitate the digestion of milk proteins in newborns, promoting better absorption of breast milk.
Thus, the bacteria contained in Linex maintain the normal microflora of children's intestines, populate the gastrointestinal tract with beneficial microorganisms and restore their balance, disturbed due to an infectious disease or the use of antibiotics.
Indications for use in newborns and infants
The main reason for using Linex is an imbalance of beneficial microorganisms in the gastrointestinal tract (more details in the article: Linex drops: instructions for use for children). The remedy is also indicated when signs of poisoning or intestinal infection are detected in the baby.
The medicine will also help with:
- diarrhea and indigestion;
- colic;
- constipation, pain or bloating.
Dysbacteriosis is also an indication for taking the drug. The process is accompanied by diarrhea or constipation, dyspepsia, nausea and vomiting, belching, bloating and abdominal pain, as well as allergies. In addition, it is useful to use the drug in the first year of life during the introduction of complementary foods, teething and in case of dietary disorders. During treatment for stomach disorders, it is recommended to exclude heavy foods. The ideal solution is to return breastfeeding to breast milk, which has all the beneficial elements.
Specialists prescribe medicine if the baby is born before the due date. Linex is prescribed to newborn children during difficult births, after which the baby was not immediately put to the breast, and he receives artificial nutrition.
Breastfed babies receive probiotics through their mother's milk and do not need to take beneficial bacteria powders.
Does it help with constipation?
Constipation manifests itself as difficulty in defecation. In this case, feces are retained in the intestines for more than one day. With the right intestinal microflora, food can be digested within 30-480 minutes. Food may be retained in the intestines for a longer period. Constipation begins to appear when intestinal contractions fail. It is also formed when there is a lack of effective bacteria necessary for digestion of food.
Diet is important. Refined foods with little fiber do not move well through the rectum. It begins to compress, thus forming stuck stool in the form of constipation. With such negative manifestations, this drug supplies effective bacteria to the intestines. But it is worth considering that the drug is not a laxative, when taken the intestines stop contracting on their own. Linex has the opposite effect.
The medicine is a supplier of beneficial microorganisms. It is recommended to take the drug until the intestinal microflora is established. This may take three to four weeks. In complex therapy it is necessary to change the diet.
Instructions for use for infants
The effectiveness of treatment of any disease depends not only on the composition of the drug, but also on a number of other factors. Before taking a product with probiotics, you should carefully study the instructions for use. For infants and infants, the drug is prescribed exclusively by a doctor according to a prescription in compliance with the calculated dosages.
Method of taking the drug
The powder should be given to the child with food. If this is not possible, it is allowed to dilute the product in milk, juice or compote. There is 1 sachet per dose, which is recommended not to be left open for a long time. The powder is diluted in warm water until completely dissolved, and the temperature of the liquid should not exceed 35 degrees. Beneficial bacteria die at higher temperatures, which adversely affects the effectiveness of treatment.
Mode of application
Each package of the drug contains instructions outlining the rules of use. Here are the main nuances:
- give the remedy during meals;
- an opened bag should be used immediately for its intended purpose;
- Children can be given the drug together with water, juice, milk and other products;
- The powder should be thoroughly mixed before use;
- do not dilute in hot water: the temperature of the liquid should not exceed 35°C (bacteria may die).
The average course of treatment is 30 days. On the recommendation of a doctor, this period can be reduced to two weeks. If necessary, repeat the therapeutic procedure, you should give the body a chance to rest (1 month). After this period, you can start taking it again.
If you have the following symptoms, it is strictly forbidden to start taking the drug on your own (without consulting your doctor):
- impurities of blood and mucus in the stool;
- temperature rise of more than 38°C for a long time;
- prolonged pain with sharp and acute attacks in the abdominal area, which are accompanied by dehydration and weight loss.
The child will willingly drink the drug with juice or other favorite drink
Are there any contraindications?
Linex for newborns has virtually no contraindications for use. The medicine should not be used when treating a patient with an allergic reaction to any component. If you are intolerant to dairy products, you should also opt for analogues.
It is not recommended to give sachets or capsules to your child if there are traces of blood or mucus in his stool. A prolonged increase in body temperature for no apparent reason indicates an inflammatory process that requires careful examination rather than treatment at home. It is necessary to think about changing the therapeutic regimen if, after using Linex, you feel severe pain in the stomach or other organs of the gastrointestinal tract.
Possible side effects
If Linex is used incorrectly, there is a risk of side effects. Long-term use of the drug by newborns or independent increase in dosage leads to constipation. Abnormal bowel movements are long-lasting and worsen the baby’s well-being.
If you are individually sensitive to the components of the drug, there is a high risk of an allergic reaction. In this case, the newborn develops itchy rashes that do not have a clear localization. If any side effects occur, it is important to immediately contact your child’s doctor.
In this video you will find a description of Linex children's drops:
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Some doctors consider dysbiosis a pathology that can be treated with medications. Some foreign scientists, including Komarovsky, do not recognize the diagnosis. The doctor is sure that the beneficial bacteria contained in probiotics are not able to enter the intestines - they die in the stomach due to gastric juice.
At the same time, Evgeniy Olegovich has his own position regarding colic in babies. According to him, colic is an absolutely normal phenomenon in children and does not require treatment. Probiotics help only slightly alleviate the baby’s condition at this time. These products do not cause harm, so they can be used as desired.
Linex for newborns - instructions
Reviews from most parents indicate that they note a significant improvement in the condition of their children in a relatively short period of time.
In newborns, stool normalizes and colic goes away, appetite and good sleep appear, children are much less likely to be capricious and anxious. The positive effect of the drug is obvious.
Admission can be started in the maternity hospital, where the mother learns for the first time how to take Linex for a newborn. Treatment usually lasts for the first 2–3 weeks of the baby’s life.
Most often, the drug is prescribed 3 times a day, 1 capsule at regular intervals. Since it is impossible to give a whole capsule to a child, it is opened and the contents are given in a teaspoon, after mixing with water or breast milk. Almost all negative reviews about Linux are due to the inconvenience of its use.
The required dose and frequency of administration should be prescribed only by the attending physician. Under no circumstances should you self-medicate! If the local pediatrician has not prescribed your child to take Linex, then it is not recommended to use it on your own without medical advice.
Linex for newborns is given immediately before feeding. Since the powder does not have a pronounced taste or smell, taking it will not cause any difficulties. It is preferable to give the drug through breast milk when the baby is most hungry.
What is the difference between Linex and Linex Forte?
When purchasing a product for children, it is important to choose the right release form, because... they have some differences. Linex Forte contains lacto- and bifidobacteria with a concentration higher than in simple Linex. You can also notice other components in Forte: dextrose, oligofructose, inulin, starch.
Ordinary Linex in a sachet is a dietary supplement necessary to normalize the natural microflora. The composition also includes lacto- and bifidobacteria, but in smaller quantities. Both drugs are absolutely safe for babies.
Cost and analogues
If it is impossible to use the drug prescribed by the doctor, analogues can be used. They differ in side effects, cost, minimum age for treatment and dosages. Currently popular are Mixilak Baby, Bifiform Baby or Baby and Normobact. From birth it is allowed to use Primadophilus for children and Bifiform, and after 4-6 months - Maxilac Baby and Normobact.
The average cost of Linex is from 350 to 500 rubles, depending on the form of release. Drops are more expensive than powder in a sachet or Linex Forte. Its analogues often have a higher cost (from 400 to 1200 rubles), but a limited spectrum of action.
It has been proven that the drug is absolutely safe for infants, but you should not use it too often. Before use, it is recommended to take into account the doctor’s recommendations and carefully study the instructions.
Pediatrician, allergist-immunologist, graduated from Samara State Medical University with a degree in Pediatrics. Read more »
