Survey Reveals Most Parents Of Children Under The Age Of Two Do Not Incorporate Probiotics Into Child's Daily Diet, Missing Key Gut Health Opportunity

LONDONDERRY, N.H., Feb. 22, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Gut health is the foundation for overall good health as babies grow - and probiotics can help support a happy, tiny tummy.  That's why Stonyfield has added probiotic BB-12^® to YoBaby^® yogurt – the only organic yogurt made especially for babies. BB-12^® has been shown to have a digestive health benefit when consumed regularly by promoting beneficial gut bacteria and regular, soft stools. In research conducted by ORC International and Stonyfield, at least one-third of parents admit to feeding confusion during baby's first months, and just over half (53%) feel overwhelmed by the varying opinions of early childhood nutrition. That confusion may be why many parents may overlook including daily probiotics in baby's diet. In fact, 77% of the surveyed parents with children under two do not incorporate probiotics into their baby's daily diet, with 36% of them thinking it's not important at this age.

"Probiotics are beneficial for people of all ages, but especially babies," explains pediatrician Dr. Tanya Altmann, MD, FAAP and mother of three. "Babies are first exposed to probiotics in breast milk and it's important to maintain digestive health as you introduce solid foods. Oftentimes, I hear from parents that they only turn to probiotics occasionally during the winter months or when baby seems irritable, but most probiotics are beneficial when consumed regularly," continued Altmann.

Probiotics can be an important element to help support digestive health, and one that can easily be delivered in a delicious serving of yogurt. Yet only 23% of parents report incorporating probiotics on a daily basis into a baby's diet.

In addition to live active cultures, S. thermophilus, L. bulgaricus, L. acidophilus, L. casei, and L. rhamnosus, YoBaby^® yogurt now contains Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis (BB-12^®) which has been studied in babies and has been shown to have a digestive health benefit when consumed regularly as part of a balanced diet and healthy lifestyle. BB-12^® is a registered trademark of Chr. Hansen.  

Stonyfield YoBaby^® yogurt, #1 Pediatrician Recommended
Despite all yogurt's benefits, just over one-third (34%) of parents with children under one year old mistakenly believe the age to introduce yogurt is 12 months or older versus the AAP approved age of six months.

"Most parents don't know babies can begin reaping the benefits of yogurt as young as six months," continued Dr. Altmann. "I recommend feeding yogurt with probiotics, like Stonyfield YoBaby^®, daily at this age. It's a great first food; made with organic whole milk, it delivers Vitamin D and calcium for bone growth, and now added BB-12^® to help support digestive health."  

With more than 17 years of experience making organic yogurt specially crafted just for babies, it's no wonder that Stonyfield YoBaby^® yogurt is the #1 Pediatrician Recommended yogurt for babies between six months and two years old among refrigerated yogurts*. As parents report trusting a pediatrician's opinion over friends, spouses and even their own instincts, they can take comfort in the #1 Pediatrician Recommended call-out on YoBaby^® packaging.  A pioneer in the category, Stonyfield has been making its YoBaby^® line since 1999, providing a number of reasons for parents to turn to Stonyfield when making their feeding choices:

• Not only is Stonyfield YoBaby^® yogurt the #1 Pediatrician Recommended yogurt for babies between six months and two years old among refrigerated yogurts, it's the only organic yogurt made especially for babies. 

• Stonyfield YoBaby^® products are made with organic ingredients including organic whole milk yogurt to meet babies' unique nutritional needs.

• Stonyfield YoBaby^® yogurt may help develop healthy eating habits.

• Stonyfield YoBaby^® available in a number of flavors: Plain, Vanilla, Banana/Mango, Blueberry/Apple and Peach/Pear, in 4 oz. 6-pack format.

Stonyfield YoBaby^® yogurt is also available in an unsweetened formulation – Stonyfield YoBaby^® Plain. To learn more about Stonyfield YoBaby^® yogurt as well as all other Stonyfield products and more, visit www.Stonyfield.com.

Survey Methodology: ORC International conducted this research on behalf of Stonyfield via an online survey of among 1,016 parents of a child two years of age or younger, fielded August 23-29, 2016. Additional follow up questions were asked to 1,004 parents of a child two years of age or younger January 4-10, 2017. 

* Source: IMS Health ProVoice Survey, 12/01/15 - 09/30/16.

About Stonyfield

As the leading organic yogurt maker, Stonyfield takes care with everything it puts into its yogurts and everything it keeps out. By saying no to toxic persistent pesticides, artificial hormones, antibiotics and GMOs, Stonyfield has been saying yes to delicious, healthy food for more than 30 years. With their direct milk supply program, Stonyfield helps to grow the number of organic dairy farms in New England – and through their support of the Wolfe's Neck Dairy Farmer training program, Stonyfield works to train the next generation of organic farmers.

To learn more about all Stonyfield products and more, visit www.Stonyfield.com.

SOURCE Stonyfield

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