Thanks to MomSelect, I’ve got a giveaway coming up with Florastor Kids, and I wanted to share this excellent Q&A with James Sears, M.D. before the giveaway goes live…

Pediatric diarrhea can be extremely stressful for parents, especially in babies and toddlers. Adult anti-diarrheal medications are not recommended for young children, which often leaves parents with only “watchful waiting” as an option.

Probiotics are a new health buzzword, and can be a drug-free method of helping to manage children’s intestinal issues. However, it’s important to do your homework. Because probiotics are supplements and therefore not subject to government regulation, it’s important to look for a probiotic that has sound scientific testing behind it, and that is appropriate for your child’s issues.


Dr. Sears answers some common questions about Florastor Kids below:

Q: What are the most common causes of pediatric diarrhea?



Q: Do you recommend probiotics for kids?

Q: What is Florastor Kids?



Q: How do the effects of Florastor Kids differ from those of bacteria-based probiotics, such as acidophilus?
A: One of the key differences in a yeast-based probiotic, such as Florastor Kids, is that it can not be killed by antibiotics, and it, in turn, protects the body’s own flora during the course of antibiotic treatment to guard against antibiotic-associated diarrhea. Antibiotic-associated diarrhea occurs when antibiotics disturb the natural balance of “good” and “bad” microbiota in the intestinal tract, causing harmful bacteria to grow far beyond their normal numbers. The result is often frequent, watery bowel movements.

Q: Which kids could benefit from Florastor Kids?

  • Antibiotic-Associated Diarrhea (AAD)
  • Acute gastroenteritis (general, sudden onset diarrhea)
  • Traveler’s diarrhea
  • Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea (C. diff)
  • Chronic inflammatory intestinal conditions, such as Ulcerative Colitis or Crohn’s

Q: Why would a parent choose to treat a bout of diarrhea with Florastor Kids as opposed to an anti-diarrheal product?
A: Anti-diarrheal medications such as loperamide (Imodium) are typically not recommended for young children. Florastor Kids helps remove toxins from the intestines and at the same time bolsters the body’s defense against the pathogens.

Q: How should Florastor Kids be taken?

Q: How long can Florastor Kids be taken?
A: There is no reason that Florastor Kids can not be taken every day, but it is most often taken once symptoms start, and until symptoms stop. It is recommended to start taking the same day as antibiotic treatment and stopping it once the course of antibiotics is complete. For those wishing to protect themselves from traveler’s diarrhea, it is recommended that Florastor Kids be taken starting four days before the trip starts, and finishing four days after the trip ends.

Q: Who should not take Florastor Kids?
A: Children under two months of age, as well as those with yeast allergies and central venous catheters.

Q: Does Florastor Kids need to be refrigerated?
A: No. Florastor Kids’ freeze-drying process means that the product does not need to be refrigerated, making it ideal for travel.

Q: I went to a few pharmacies in my area and could not find Florastor Kids on the shelves. What can I do?
A: Try asking the pharmacist. Even though it does not require a prescription, many pharmacists may keep it behind the counter so that they can explain its benefits, particularly if they recommend taking it with antibiotics. On there is a list of local and online pharmacies that stock Florastor Kids.

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