Bio-Kult Infantis Infant Probiotic Review

I should probably start this review by making it clear that I don't normally blog about children's food supplements or health products for kids - worrying about the food my children eat isn't part of my Mellow Mummy mantra.  In fact, as a mum who tries her very best to provide a healthy, grown-up, home-cooked diet for my two girls I strongly feel that I shouldn't NEED to supplement my baby or toddler's diet... if I do, then surely I'm getting something wrong somewhere?

So, you can imagine how much of a dent in my parenting confidence it was last month when Holly was diagnosed with "Toddler Diarrhoea", a generic term used to describe persistent diarrhoea in a toddler who is otherwise healthy, and for which the GP can find no other cause.  Toddler diarrhoea is commonly caused by an unbalanced gut - a tiny tummy that is still trying to cope with the challenges of an adult diet and is often seen in children who have a low-fat diet or who consume too much fruit, fruit juice or fruit squash.  Ouch.  That hit a nerve.

Having spent almost a fortnight off work looking after Holly (because she couldn't attend nursery due to her symptoms) it felt like fate when I was contacted to review Bio-Kult Infantis.  Bio-Kult Infantis is a multi-strain probiotic formula designed for infants, toddlers and young children.

Given Holly's sensitive tummy, I was happy to try out Bio-Kult Infantis as an addition to Holly's normal food and drink.  It comes in 1g powder sachets and, after a fascinating chat with Nutritional Therapist Natalie Lamb, I decided to start Holly on a half-sachet every day to see how she responded.  You can mix Bio-Kult Infantis with milk (breast milk, formula or cow's milk), or directly with food.  Each sachet contains 7 different strains of probiotic bacteria which are shown to reduce diarrhoea in gastroenteritis, improve constipation and even improve the symptoms of eczema.  It also contains high levels of Omega 3 (something I'm aware we lack in our family diet) and also Vitamin D3.

When I first started using Bio-Kult, I was a bit freaked out, I accidentally got some on the end of my finger and it felt funny - a bit like popping candy! I've mixed it with Holly's breakfast cereal and she has never noticed it so I assume that it mixes well!

Within 48 hours of starting Holly on Bio-Kult Infantis, her loose stools cleared up.  I can't tell if it is directly related, or not.  I continued giving Holly a sachet each morning for a fortnight but I have since stopped again.  I think I would happily start again if Holly showed any signs of an imbalanced gut again but for me, a daily probiotic isn't something I want to permanently build into her diet (as it wouldn't be for me, either).  I would expect to use Bio-Kult Infantis as an occasional boost to my toddler's gut-based immune system.

The Sunday Review – Perfectil Skin, Hair & Nails Supplement

I wouldn't normally recommend a food supplement because there really is no substitute for a healthy balanced diet. But... I wanted to let you know about Perfectil (which I discovered by accident) because I have been using it for a month and I'm really happy with the effect it has had in countering the loss of 'mummy glow' I experienced when I gave up breastfeeding in January.

Before I fell pregnant, I was taking a multi-vitamin. I do eat a very healthy, generally balanced diet but there are gaps that I try to fill. I hate drinking milk and until very recently, I have not eaten any fish at all. Sometimes, my body just needs a bit of a boost.

I stopped taking my multi-vitamin when I became pregnant to ensure that there wasn't too much of any one thing in my system. After I had Lara, there was a big tub of cheap multi-vitamins and a random packet of Perfectil (I have no idea where it came from, probably a prize?) sitting in my bathroom cupboard, looking unloved. Obviously, during breastfeeding I couldn't start taking a supplement again (however drained I felt) but I did briefly trial the Pregnacare breastfeeding supplement for the Mother & Baby awards last summer shortly after Lara was born. It is hard to measure the effectiveness of a food supplement designed to give your baby the best start in life... I'll get back to you in about 16 years and tell you whether it delivered on its promises!

In January I gave up breastfeeding. Within one week all of my finger nails had broken. Within two weeks my hair had dulled and I had started to moult more than the blimmin' cat. Within one month of giving up breastfeeding I had developed dry skin and a rash on my arms having never ever suffered from dry skin before in my life. And so, I raided the bathroom cupboard for that box of Perfectil.

Image courtesy of Vitabiotics

Perfectil is a nutritional supplement for skin, hair and nails. You take a tablet each day with your main meal. The tablet contains 22 nutrients designed to help you gain a clear complexion, glossy hair and strong nails. It provides antioxidant carotenoids to protect skin tissues; plant extracts such as grape seed extract for a healthy complexion and vitamins and minerals for blood circulation and tissue formation.

It took a couple of weeks but I did soon notice a change to my finger nails. They are back the way they should be – strong, long and healthily gorgeous. I love my finger nails! I have now been taking Perfectil for a month. My hair may not be the shiny flowing locks they were during pregnancy but I'm certainly not shedding it any more and it doesn't look flat and miserable – just normal. I can't see a significant change in my skin but I'm prepared to wait a while and see what happens.

Perfectil is made by Vitabiotics can be found at most major retailers or online for around £8.50 for a month's supply . I've found it to be a great way of re-balancing my skin, my hair and most definitely my nails after the enormous changes that motherhood brings.