16 Month Child Having Runny Nose And Cough. Is It Safe To Give Commercial Type Probiotic Drinks?

Posted on Tue, 31 Jul 2012

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Tue, 31 Jul 2012 Answered on

Tue, 21 Aug 2012 Last reviewed on

Question : Can i give my 16 month granddaughter the commercial type probiotic drinks that you can buy in the supermarket? The ones I drink myself. She has been on a course of antibiotics for a runny nose and cough, but is all good now. If I can, how much can she have.?
XXXXXX

Answered by Dr. Ram Choudhary (14 minutes later)

Hi XXXXXX,
Welcome to healthcare magic!
You should refrain from giving these medicines to the baby.
The prebiotics and probiotics are being questioned by physicians in large trials currently and there indications are getting narrowed down and redefined.
The can not be considered as health supplements and when taken from dubious sources can be counterproductive.
I hope this advise would be helpful for you.

Still if you have any queries or doubts, please write me back,
I would be happy to solve them.

Wish you a great health!

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar