Dealing with constipation in infants can be frustrating at times. Normally, newborns start passing stool within 24 hours after their birth, but infrequent bowel movement or constipation arises after a couple of months when the infant takes to regular breastfeeding or bottle feeding.
Constipation is prevalent among bottle fed infants. Often, insufficient breast milk production leaves the infant underfed giving rise to constipation. Infants also suffer from this condition when they switch over to formula feeding from breast feeding. Constipation in infants can be effectively treated with simple home remedies, but a pediatrician’s guidance is always recommended before administering any remedy to the infant.
Top 6 Home Remedies For Constipation In Infants
The following useful home remedies for constipation in infants will ease out your tensions regarding this digestive problem of your baby.
1. Check The Water Intake Of Your Baby
Insufficient water intake often causes constipation in infants. This is again prominent in formula fed or bottle fed babies. According to mayoclinic.com, you can feed your baby with 2-4 ounces of water in between regular feedings. You can give more or less water than the recommended quantity depending upon the response of your baby.This will prevent hardening of stools and facilitate easy defecation. Breast feeding babies need not take additional water for first 3 months after birth and a few of them suffer from constipation.
2. Your Baby Should Not Remain Underfed
Underfed infants often suffer from constipation. Feeding demand of infants varies according to their birth weight. Babies with high birth weight demand more and frequent feeding while this may be just the opposite in case of medium or low weight babies. Insufficient breast milk production often leaves the infant (especially those with high birth weight) underfed hampering the normal stool formation.
In such cases, your baby may not soil the diapers for a few days. Increase the feeding frequency if you feel that the amount of breast milk is not keeping your baby full. Do not lose your patience if you find your baby becoming fussy due to insufficient feeding.
3. A Gentle Tummy Massage Works
Give a gentle tummy massage while your baby is lying on his or her back. Place your fingers on his or her belly and massage gently in circular motions. The steady and gentle circular motions of your hand will stimulate the digestive tract of your newborn facilitating smooth bowel movement.You can apply this massage while you are giving a warm bath to your baby. Else you can also apply oil and massage his or her tummy in a similar manner.
Also Read
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4. Leg Exercises Are Beneficial Too
Place your baby on his or her back. Raise his or her legs and move them in a cycling motion for 5 – 10 minutes. You can do this with one leg at a time as per your convenience. Your baby will enjoy this exercise which will also facilitate smooth bowel movement.
5. Diluted Fruit Juice Relieves Constipation In Infants
If your newborn is more than 5-6 months old, then additional water intake or exercises may not yield the desired result. Mayoclinic.com recommends feeding the infant with 2-4 ounces of apple, pear or prune juice to enable smooth bowel movement. Sorbitol present in fruit juices reduces constipation in infants effectively. Start with 2 ounces of fruit juice diluted with water, and gradually increase the concentration of the juice depending upon the response of your baby. Always use pasteurized fruit juices or fresh home made ones.
6. Introduce More Fiber In The Diet
Infants over 6 months age often suffer from constipation when they start taking solid foods apart from breast milk. You can introduce some foods with high fiber content to facilitate smooth defecation. Replace rice with barley and oatmeal. Feed your baby with apples, apricots, pears, peas, prunes, spinach, carrots and peaches in quantities tolerable for your baby.
The soluble fiber present in these food items increases the bulk of the stool enabling smooth and painless defecation. You can feed boiled and mashed vegetables mixed with rice to increase the fiber intake. Always feed your baby in measured quantities. Avoid overfeeding as this may give rise to other digestive problems.
thanks!!!
Hi there, my child currently facing constipation problem. Since last week onward, she is losing appetite and crying during bowel movement. I feel so worried and I have tried a few solution here like tummy massage and leg exercises. Still no symptom of getting better. Any other suggestions that can help to prevent constipation.
My DD used to face with constipation problem. I tried every means but still not working~~ My MIL suggested to add more food with high fiber to my DD’s diet and give her drinks more water. Moreover, i insert the glycerin suppository and wiggle her belly but still the same! finally, i sent her to hospital then only she back to normal again. Thanks GOD!! imho.. dont simply try those unknown remedies.
I agree with larva chan. Please sent your child to clinic for checkup. Do not apply any remedies to your child unless is given by a doctor. life is precious.
Based on my experience with Mamil, I think it’s suitable for ur case la. Bcos Mamil is really good helping to preventing constipation for children with their highest level of DHA and no sucrose at all which is important ingredients in children constipation prevention. I used it and it’s good, so i think it works for u as well.. Try and see for a week la, u will have immediate results.
Do you try to switch formula? Mamil is quite good, three of my baby also using mamil. So far no constipation problem.
Mamil is great. Solved my two princess constipation problem. Now I don’t have to persuade two of them to go for wc. You can go and try it out.
already used mamil for my son. after a week he take mamil, his constipation were prevented. amazing. never used mamil before and when first time used it, it really works. thanks my friend caused suggested me to mamil
hmm.. i’ve compared formula and i’ve found mamil was the expensive one. so i’m not interested to used mamil for my kids. better go for more cheap formula
My daughter was constipated at around 4 weeks old and we were told to give her some diluted prune juice – It was amazing and worked almost instantly! I’ve also passed this tip on to a couple of friends and they have had the same results!
it was good for kid when formula milk got no sugar in it. same goes to mamil. it contained no sugar and high level of dha. it also got softener stool and many good bacterias, so no wonder why mamil can prevent constipation.
We started my daughter on Nan at 2 years. We were recommended Nan because they’re more easily digested. We’ve had no problems with Nan, mind you, my daughter only poos every 2nd day and they are stinking whoppers (green soft serve) when they arrive!! Hope this helps
i am so glad i found this thread. like other posts, i thought we were the only ones going through this for this long. i am on my way to see another remedies, as our first was happy to keep us on laxatives for ages and ages. i have taken many notes from this thread about different treatments. thanks you to all the posts for lots of great advice