A new study, published online in the Journal of Pediatrics suggests probiotics may help babies suffering from constipation.

According to Reuters, researchers followed 44 infants with chronic constipation for eight weeks. Half were given the probiotic Lactobacillus reuteri mixed with a few drops of oil each day, and half received a placebo each day. Parents were asked to keep track how often their baby had a bowel movement, the consistency of the stool and how often their children had "inconsolable crying spells."

While they did not find a difference in the stool consistency or crying based on whether babies took the probiotic or not, they did find that children who received the L. reuteri had significantly more bowel movements than those who received a placebo.

Scientists say that at the beginning of the study, the probiotic babies had, on average, less than three bowel movements per week. By the end of the study, they had increased to an average of almost five.

Probiotics are beneficial bacteria that are believed to be helpful in treating and preventing a host of common illnesses, including urinary tract infections, digestive problems and eczema.

They are available in supplement form and can also be found in foods like yogurt and other cultured milk products, miso, tempeh, and some juices and soy beverages.