Constipation in babies? Yes, infants do often go a long time without bowel moments or even a week however at times the baby can be constipated and need some help.
In this article, I am going to discuss How to relieve constipation in babies quickly.
What I am going to include in this article?
Signs of baby constipation
When to see the doctor
Home remedies to relieve constipation
There are signs which you need to look for to check if your baby is constipated.
- Infrequent stool that are not soft at consistency
- Clay like stool consistency
- Hard pallets of stools
- Long period of straining or crying while trying to pass stool
- Lack of appetite
- Streaks of red blood in stool
- A hard belly
For infants who are 1 month old to 6-month-old, if the baby is on exclusive breastfeeding, your baby will pass a large, soft stool once a week or sometimes twice a week.
If your baby is on formula milk then he/she might pass stool often i.e., at least once a day or every other day, or may go longer without passing a stool and not getting constipated.
Once you introduce solid food to your baby after they turn 6 months old, they might experience constipation.
Also do keep a check if your baby is constipated when you introduce cow milk to your baby, as cow milk is hard to digest for infants
Home remedies to relieve constipation for 1 month old to 6 months old infants and babies:
1.Exercise
Our 1 month to 6 months babies might not be able to walk or exercise on their own, hence we mothers need to give them some light exercise that will help them relieve constipation and gas.
You can gently move your baby’s legs while he or she is lying on their back to mimic the motion of riding a cycle.
This will help relieve constipation and bowel functions.
2. Warm Bath
A warm bath will always help them relieve constipation and if there is any discomfort that has been caused relating to constipation.
3. Dietary changes:
If your baby is on exclusive breastfeeding, then the dietary changes need to be done for you. You need to eliminate certain foods like dairy, or food that are high in protein like lentils or meat.
You will need to observe what food you are eating that is causing constipation in your baby and avoid that food accordingly.
If your baby is on formula milk, then you might want to change the brand of the formula that you are giving your baby, of course after consultation with your pediatrician.
For infants above 6 months to 1 year or more who are eating solid food, introduce food that is high in fiber.
Many fruits and vegetables stimulate bowel movements and help relieve constipation in kids.
Fruits like Papaya
Apples without skin
Banana
Mangoes
Peaches
Pears
Plums
Whole grains like Oats or whole grain bread or pasta
4. Hydration:
Ensure that your baby is hydrated sufficiently.
If your baby is breastfeeding then you as a mother drink lots of fluids and fruit juices and eat wholesome food rich in fiber.
If your baby is on formula milk then you might need to consult your pediatrician who will recommend some fruit juice or other medication.
For babies from 6 months up to 2 years, small amounts of fruit juice like apple juice, pear, or plum juice will work.
Also, puree the vegetables and fruits and feed your baby, this will add more fiber to the baby food and help relieve constipation.
5. Massage:
A gentle massage on the lower abdomen of the baby help stimulate the bowel moment and relieve constipation. Massage 2 to 3 times a day will do the work.
When to call the doctor and how to know if my baby is constipated?
When your baby is constipated, these are the signs to worry or look for.
When the home remedies have not worked or when your baby has not passed stool for more than 2 to 3 days it’s time to call your doctor.
When your baby seems irritable
Blood in the stool
The baby appears to have abdominal pain
There are no improvements after doing the home remedies.
When you notice the above signs, consult your pediatrician without any delay.
Also visit my other blog Travelling with kids? what wonder food you can carry.
Frequently asked question:
1. What causes constipation in babies?
Babies who are not eating enough fiber, not drinking enough liquids, or when the baby switches from liquid food to solid foods, or from Breast milk to formula milk, introducing of Cow milk or changes in situations like weather change or school or other stressful situations, all these can cause constipation in babies
2. What are the foods that cause constipation in babies?
1. Curd or Yogurt
2. White bread
3. Does gripe water relieve constipation?
Gripe water in infants and toddlers is thought to ease abdominal discomfort, help relieve gas and possibly relieve constipation.
4. What food is good for constipation in babies?
Food that is high in fiber like oats, whole wheat, bran flake cereals, legumes like kidney beans, Chickpeas, black beans, soya beans, and Lentils.
Fruits such as Mangoes, Papaya, berries, apples, oranges, and pears.
5. Does Bananas cause constipation?
It is a matter of timing. Unripe/raw bananas cause constipation since the starch present in it hard to digest.
ripe and overripe bananas help bowel moments and relieve constipation.