Effect of Maternal Probiotics on Infantile Colic Symptoms and Maternal Quality of Life and Maternal Attachment: A Single-Blind, Randomized Controlled Study.

Background: Infantile colic (IC) is a functional gastrointestinal disorder characterized by crying spells lasting more than 3 hours a day, more than 3 days a week, for 3 weeks, according to the Rule of Three's.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of added probiotic supplementation in the mother's diet on the crying frequency of babies with infantile colic, maternal attachment, and maternal quality of life.

Design And Settings: 36 mothers and their babies were randomized into two groups. A probiotic drink containing (Bifidus ActiRegularis (5x108) strain was added to the mothers' diet in the experimental group once a day for 15 consecutive days. The control group received non-pharmaceutical standard care treatment.

Outcomes Measures: Data were collected using "Data Collection Form", "Baby Diary Form", "Mother Attachment Scale", and "Postpartum Quality of Life Scale". The Baby Diary Form was recorded by the mothers for 15 days. The Mother Attachment Scale" and "Postpartum Quality of Life Scale" were evaluated twice, at the beginning and the first month.

Results: The probiotic supplement added to the mothers' diet reduced the crying intensity of babies (P < .05). There was a statistically significant difference between the experimental and control groups in the post-treatment quality of life scores (P < .05). As a result, there is a statistically significant difference between the pre- and post-intervention maternal attachment scores in the intervention group (P < .05).

Conclusion: In babies treated with probiotics added to the maternal diet for 15 days, a decrease in crying frequency and an increase in maternal attachment and life quality scores were observed.

Clinical Trials Number: NCT04374955.