BioGaia launched the world's first probiotic drops for babies in 2004. Their L. reuteri DSM 17938 strain has been published in more than 200 peer-reviewed scientific journal articles and is the most researched probiotic for infantile colic by PubMed publication count. Here is the honest analysis of all three products and how they compare.
Not all probiotics are equal and not all strains are equal. The clinical evidence behind BioGaia's L. reuteri DSM 17938 is the defining reason to choose it over competitors.
L. reuteri DSM 17938 is a patented strain that has been specifically studied for infantile colic, gut health, and immune function in hundreds of clinical trials. The research is not generic probiotic research, it is research on this specific strain at this specific dose. A product with 4 billion CFU of a less-studied strain does not automatically outperform 100 million CFU of L. reuteri DSM 17938 for colic. The evidence is strain-specific and the evidence for this strain is unmatched in the infant probiotic category.
Publication count verified at pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov as of October 2024 per BioGaia's own disclosure.
Up to 25% of infants are diagnosed with colic, defined as crying for three or more hours a day, three or more days a week, for at least three weeks. Symptoms typically peak at six weeks and resolve by four months. Understanding why L. reuteri specifically addresses colic requires understanding the gut microbiome research.
Studies have consistently found that colicky infants have an altered gut microbiome compared to non-colicky infants. Specifically: lower levels of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium and higher levels of E. coli. This microbial imbalance, known as dysbiosis, is associated with abnormal gut motility and increased gas production, the two mechanisms most directly linked to colic symptoms.
L. reuteri DSM 17938 addresses this imbalance directly. Clinical studies using BioGaia Protectis drops have shown reduced crying and fussing in colicky babies and improved wellbeing for both mother and baby. The mechanism is plausible, the evidence is replicated, and the strain specificity is well established.
Increases levels of beneficial Lactobacillus in the infant gut. Helps restore the microbial balance disrupted in colicky babies. Clinically proven to reach the gut alive, which is a specific and important claim, many probiotic strains do not survive the journey through the digestive system.
Beyond colic, L. reuteri plays a role in supporting the developing immune system. The infant immune system is establishing itself rapidly in the first months of life and the gut microbiome is a key part of that process. This is the basis for the Immune Active product which targets immunity specifically.
Colic has multiple causes and not all colicky babies will respond to probiotics. The research shows benefit in studies but individual responses vary. If colic symptoms are severe or accompanied by poor weight gain, fever, or other symptoms, consult your paediatrician rather than relying on probiotics alone.
BioGaia makes three infant probiotic drop products. All contain the same L. reuteri DSM 17938 strain. The differences are in the vitamin D content and the intended focus.
The best value BioGaia product for most families. At exactly the same price as the plain Protectis drops, you get the same clinically studied L. reuteri DSM 17938 strain plus 400 IU of D3, exactly the dose the AAP recommends for all breastfed babies from birth. Five drops once daily by spoon covers both the probiotic and vitamin D requirement in one product. For parents who want to keep the supplement routine simple and evidence-based, this is the most practical choice BioGaia makes.
The carrier is conventional sunflower oil. BioGaia does not specify cold-pressed or expeller-pressed, meaning the extraction method is not confirmed. Without organic certification, hexane-based extraction cannot be ruled out. Garden of Life Baby Probiotic uses organic sunflower oil and is USDA Organic certified, but USDA Organic permits hexane extraction so hexane-free cannot be confirmed. MaryRuth Organics is certified by Ecocert Canada, which explicitly prohibits hexane extraction. MaryRuth is the only infant supplement brand where hexane-free carrier oil is confirmed by certification standard.
Identical to the Protectis with Vitamin D but without the D3. Same strain, same dose, same price. The only reason to choose this over the vitamin D version is if your baby is already getting vitamin D from another source and you do not want to risk doubling up. In most cases the vitamin D version is the better choice at the same price point.
The Immune Active contains 600 IU of D3 rather than 400 IU, targeting immunity support alongside gut health. The 600 IU dose matches the AAP recommendation for babies over 12 months rather than the 400 IU recommended from birth. For newborns and young infants, the Protectis with Vitamin D at 400 IU is the more appropriate choice. The Immune Active is better suited to older babies and toddlers where the higher vitamin D dose is indicated and immunity support becomes increasingly relevant as the child enters social environments.
Five infant probiotic options compared. The right choice depends on what you are trying to achieve.
| Feature | BioGaia Protectis + D | Garden of Life Baby | Culturelle Baby | MaryRuth Organics | Bobbie Bundle |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $24.99 | ~$22 | ~$20 | $24.99 | Free with bundle |
| Primary strain | L. reuteri DSM 17938 | L. rhamnosus GG + B. infantis | L. rhamnosus GG | P. pentosaceus + B. longum | P. pentosaceus + B. longum |
| CFU count | 100 million | 4 billion | 1 billion | 1 billion | 1 billion |
| Colic evidence | ✓ Most researched strain | Strong general evidence | Strong general evidence | Strong general evidence | Named strains, colic RCT |
| Vitamin D included | ✓ 400 IU D3 | ✗ No | ✗ No | ✗ No | ✗ No |
| Organic certified | ✗ No | ✓ USDA Organic | ✗ No | ✓ USDA Organic + Ecocert Canada | ✓ USDA Organic |
| Carrier oil | Conventional sunflower oil | Organic sunflower oil (USDA, hexane not excluded) | Sunflower oil | Organic olive oil (Ecocert, hexane excluded) | Not disclosed |
| Hexane-free confirmed | ✗ Unknown | ✗ Not confirmed | ✗ Unknown | ✓ Ecocert prohibits hexane | ✗ Unknown |
| Can add to formula | ✗ No, spoon only | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes | Check label | Check label |
| From birth | ✓ Day 1 | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Publications | 200+ on L. reuteri strains | Strong evidence base | Strong evidence base | Strong evidence base | Named strains, published RCT |
Colic is your primary concern. You want the most clinically studied strain specifically for colic. You want probiotic and vitamin D in one product. You are comfortable with non-organic carrier oil. Your paediatrician has recommended L. reuteri specifically.
Organic certification throughout matters to you. You want to add drops to breast milk or formula. You want multiple clinically studied strains covering colic, microbiome establishment, and eczema prevention. You prefer the highest CFU count.
For colic specifically, BioGaia has more published clinical evidence than any competitor. For general gut microbiome support and organic certification, Garden of Life is the stronger choice. Both are legitimate. The decision comes down to whether colic is your primary concern or general gut health is.
No infant probiotic brand has more clinical evidence behind its specific strain than BioGaia. The L. reuteri DSM 17938 research base is unmatched in the category. If your baby has colic or you want to prevent it, BioGaia Protectis with Vitamin D is the evidence-based choice at $24.99.
The honest limitation is the carrier oil. Conventional sunflower oil with undisclosed extraction method is the one area where BioGaia falls short of fully organic alternatives. For parents who require organic certification throughout, Garden of Life Baby Probiotic in an organic sunflower oil base is the cleaner choice, though it trades the L. reuteri colic evidence for broader microbiome support.
The Protectis with Vitamin D product deserves particular attention: it delivers the world's most researched infant probiotic alongside 400 IU of D3 in five daily drops at $24.99. For parents already giving vitamin D drops and considering a probiotic, this is the most practical and evidence-based combination available.
See our full baby supplements guide for all picks compared. See our vitamin D drops for infants guide for standalone D3 options.
Prices verified from biogaia.com and Amazon as of April 2026 and may change. Publication count sourced from BioGaia's own disclosure, verified at pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov as of October 2024. This review reflects our editorial analysis only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult your paediatrician before starting any supplement for your infant, particularly if your baby has colic, poor weight gain, or other symptoms requiring medical evaluation.