Editing Openai/69729ae6-bd00-8005-8892-1acd564602bd (section)

===== 3. Culturelle Baby Calm + Colic Probiotic Drops (i-Health/Culturelle – Canada): B. longum KABP-042 + Pediococcus pentosaceus KABP-041 =====

Strains & Product: Contains a two-strain mix: Bifidobacterium longum subsp. longum KABP™-042 and Pediococcus pentosaceus KABP™-041. This specific combination (branded as AB-Kolicare® by AB-Biotics) was developed to target infant colic and is available in certain markets (e.g. sold as Culturelle “Calm + Colic” Drops in Canada)cdhf.ca<ref>{{cite web|title=cdhf.ca|url=https://cdhf.ca/en/baby-probiotics-a-complete-guide-to-treating-colic/#:~:text=Studies%20show%20that%20certain%20probiotics,as%20little%20as%20seven%20days|publisher=cdhf.ca|access-date=2026-01-23}}</ref>. Each 5 drops provides 1×10^9 CFU total (strains in equal amounts) in a sunflower oil suspensionlink.springer.com<ref>{{cite web|title=link.springer.com|url=https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00431-024-05806-x#:~:text=Biogaia%C2%AE%20,Biotics%C2%AE%2C%20S.A.%20%28Spain%29%3B%20%E2%80%9CBL|publisher=link.springer.com|access-date=2026-01-23}}</ref>. These strains were originally isolated for their gut health benefits and resilience in infants.
Clinical Evidence: This B. longum + Pediococcus combo has strong evidence from recent trials. Notably, a 2024 head-to-head RCT (112 colicky infants, 2–12 weeks old) compared AB-Kolicare drops against L. reuteri DSM 17938link.springer.com<ref>{{cite web|title=link.springer.com|url=https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00431-024-05806-x#:~:text=We%20aimed%20to%20compare%20the,and%20daily|publisher=link.springer.com|access-date=2026-01-23}}</ref>link.springer.com<ref>{{cite web|title=link.springer.com|url=https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00431-024-05806-x#:~:text=trial%20was%20conducted%20in%20112,IQR%5D%29%20became|publisher=link.springer.com|access-date=2026-01-23}}</ref>. After 3 weeks, the bi-strain group had superior outcomes: 84.6% were treatment responders (≥50% reduction in crying) by day 14, versus 59.3% in the L. reuteri group (p=0.004)link.springer.com<ref>{{cite web|title=link.springer.com|url=https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00431-024-05806-x#:~:text=time%20from%20baseline%2C%20as%20reported,adverse%20events%20between%20the%20groups|publisher=link.springer.com|access-date=2026-01-23}}</ref>. Median daily crying/fussing time was also significantly lower with B. longum + P. pentosaceus at days 7, 14, and 21 (e.g. 29 minutes on day 21 vs 67 minutes with L. reuteri; p=0.011)link.springer.com<ref>{{cite web|title=link.springer.com|url=https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00431-024-05806-x#:~:text=Study%20groups%20were%20comparable%20at,adverse%20events%20between%20the%20groups|publisher=link.springer.com|access-date=2026-01-23}}</ref>link.springer.com<ref>{{cite web|title=link.springer.com|url=https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00431-024-05806-x#:~:text=14%20%2884.6,adverse%20events%20between%20the%20groups|publisher=link.springer.com|access-date=2026-01-23}}</ref>. Both treatments were safe and well-tolerated, but the two-strain combo achieved a higher response rate and greater reduction in symptomslink.springer.com<ref>{{cite web|title=link.springer.com|url=https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00431-024-05806-x#:~:text=Study%20groups%20were%20comparable%20at,adverse%20events%20between%20the%20groups|publisher=link.springer.com|access-date=2026-01-23}}</ref>link.springer.com<ref>{{cite web|title=link.springer.com|url=https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00431-024-05806-x#:~:text=Conclusion%3A%20The%20specific%20formulation%20of,probiotic%20interventions%20were%20well%20tolerated|publisher=link.springer.com|access-date=2026-01-23}}</ref>. These findings build on prior placebo-controlled trials where this same probiotic duo significantly reduced infant crying and fussiness within 7–14 dayscdhf.ca<ref>{{cite web|title=cdhf.ca|url=https://cdhf.ca/en/baby-probiotics-a-complete-guide-to-treating-colic/#:~:text=Studies%20show%20that%20certain%20probiotics,as%20little%20as%20seven%20days|publisher=cdhf.ca|access-date=2026-01-23}}</ref>link.springer.com<ref>{{cite web|title=link.springer.com|url=https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00431-024-05806-x#:~:text=,formulations%20in%20ameliorating%20infant%20colic|publisher=link.springer.com|access-date=2026-01-23}}</ref>. In fact, research sponsored by the Canadian Digestive Health Foundation notes that colicky babies given B. longum KABP-042 and P. pentosaceus KABP-041 experienced notable relief by the end of the first week, with improvements in crying, irritability, and fussinesscdhf.ca<ref>{{cite web|title=cdhf.ca|url=https://cdhf.ca/en/baby-probiotics-a-complete-guide-to-treating-colic/#:~:text=Studies%20show%20that%20certain%20probiotics,as%20little%20as%20seven%20days|publisher=cdhf.ca|access-date=2026-01-23}}</ref>. This strain pair is now emerging as an effective alternative, especially for families who may not see success with L. reuteri.
Delivery Form: Oil drop format (similar use as other infant drops). Dose is 5 drops daily (providing 10^9 CFU total) administered via dropper by mouth or mixed into cool liquid. The drops should be well shaken; like others, they should not be heated. (The product comes in a small bottle with a dropper for precise dosing.)
Age Range: Young infants (newborns to ~12 months). Clinical studies enrolled babies as early as 2 weeks oldlink.springer.com<ref>{{cite web|title=link.springer.com|url=https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00431-024-05806-x#:~:text=Otherwise%20healthy%20infants%20aged%202,were%20allowed|publisher=link.springer.com|access-date=2026-01-23}}</ref>. Culturelle’s Calm + Colic is marketed for “infants” in the colic age range (0–3+ months). It is appropriate for newborns showing colic symptoms, provided they are otherwise healthy (always consult a healthcare provider for infants under 1 month). Because colic resolves by ~5 months in most caseslink.springer.com<ref>{{cite web|title=link.springer.com|url=https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00431-024-05860-5#:~:text=IC%20typically%20starts%20during%20the,the%20microbiota%2C%20changes%20in%20their|publisher=link.springer.com|access-date=2026-01-23}}</ref>link.springer.com<ref>{{cite web|title=link.springer.com|url=https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00431-024-05860-5#:~:text=Conclusion%3A%20The%20synbiotic%20tested%20was,natural%20evolution%20of%20infant%20colic|publisher=link.springer.com|access-date=2026-01-23}}</ref>, probiotic use beyond 6 months is usually not necessary for colic specifically.