As a registered dietitian, parents ask me all the time: what should I be doing for my child’s digestive health? Indigestion, constipation, and bloating are incredibly common problems, and thankfully, probiotics are a solution to all of them.
There's a lot of children’s probiotics on the market, but they're not all created equally. As a mom myself, I'm always looking out for the best one for my little guy.
Hiya Kids Daily Probiotic and SmartyPants Kids Prebiotic + Probiotic Immunity Formula are two of the most popular brands available. Here’s how they compare:
The one with zero sugar and no gummy junk… Hiya
Everyone knows that gummy vitamins are loaded with sugar, but they’re still somehow very popular.
SmartyPants packs a ton of sugar into each serving—a whopping 5g! Sugar isn't always bad, but I don't think it has any place in dietary supplements.
Hiya chewable tablets are sugar-free. They contain 15 essential vitamins in minerals alongside probiotics, and they taste great (yes, I’ve tried them!).
The best option for little teeth… Hiya
Some probiotics are too sugary, and easily confused for a snack. I've heard multiple horror stories of children sneaking off to polish off a whole bottle. That can be dangerous. Aside from the fact that gummies can be a choking hazard, they can stick to teeth and lead to cavities.
Hiya is the opposite of all that. They’re yummy, but they’re clearly a vitamin. There’s little risk of your kid mistaking them for candy. Plus, they’re non-GMO, vegan, gluten-free, and dairy-free, so they’re allergy-friendly. And no need to worry about cavity risks - Hiya has none of that gummy junk.
The option that requires just one vitamin per day… Hiya
Each Hiya Daily Probiotic tablet contains a blend of 10 billion live cultures, including from three of the most clinically-researched probiotic strains for children. All are well-known to support childhood immunity, digestion, and gut health. Kids ages 2 and up just need one tablet per day.
SmartyPants requires 2 gummies for fewer CFUs (7 billion), and I can’t help but wonder if all the sugar in each gummy counteracts some of the benefits.
The one you can get on Amazon… SmartyPants
If you’re an avid Amazon shopper, SmartyPants can be purchased there without issue. It’s a convenient option, for sure, and who doesn’t love lightning-fast shipping?
I personally prefer a direct-to-customer experience, and I’m a little wary of third party sellers for supplements. To be honest, the only third party I want involved are independent labs checking for safety—which Hiya does involve.
The sustainable option… Hiya
I'm all about reducing my carbon footprint and using less plastic. Hiya has you covered there! Their tablets arrive in a sturdy glass bottle, and refills arrive in eco-pouches that are recyclable.
With the probiotics being stored in glass for the month, I feel confident that no microplastics will leach through and be consumed by my child. A new batch arrives every 30 days, based on pediatrician recommendation.
SmartyPants supplements, on the other hand, arrive in that classic plastic pill bottle that isn’t safe to reuse. When it’s empty, out it goes, and in comes another one the next month. We can do better than this!
Ready to try Hiya?
All aboard! Hiya Kids Daily Probiotic has been working so well for my family. They were formulated by pediatricians and they support childhood immunity, gut health, and nutrient absorption.
A 30-day supply costs $15 + free shipping for your first order, then $30 after that. The sustainability and safety aspects sealed the deal for us. You should give them a try!
