Baby constipation is distressing both for the baby and the parents. There are simple steps you can take at home to relieve your baby's discomfort and to prevent it from returning.
1Observe how baby's diet changes as some foods become constipating, producing hard stool. Eliminate any constipating foods including:
- Rice cereal
- Cooked carrots
- White bread
- Excessive potatoes
2Give your baby foods that help soften stools, such as fruits and vegetables that are high in fiber. Fruits with sorbitol (such as apples and plums) help prevent the stool from becoming dry and firm. Foods that help soften stool include:
3Offer baby fruit juice, diluted with water, twice a day. Sorbitol in some fruit juices (including prune) helps relieve constipation. Prune juice can be effective due to its content of sorbitol, caffeic acid, and dihydrophenylisatin. To dilute juice:
- Add 1oz juice to 4oz water or...
- Dilute 10z juice in 20z water.
4Massage the baby's stomach, preferably in a warm bath. To massage effectively, start at the navel and massage outwards in a clockwise direction. Abdominal message may increase the movement of food through the intestines.
5Cycle" baby's legs which causes the stomach muscles to move and puts gentle pressure on the intestines. To cycle baby's legs:
- Lay him on his back
- Grasp his feet
- Turn his legs in a quick but gentle cycling motion.
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- Dehydration is a common cause of baby constipation, particularly in warmer weather.
- Trace blood in baby's stool can indicate ripping of soft tissue near the anus as the body gets used to new foods. It's probably not anything to worry about, but you should consult a health professional.
- Never give your baby a laxative without a doctor's approval.
- Make sure that you are dealing with true constipation normally indicated by hard, dry stools. Babies often strain and grunt when they have a bowel movement, or may go several days without having a bowel movement at all. These are not necessarily signs of true constipation.
- If you suspect your baby is constipated, consult your child's doctor to rule out any underlying illness.
- Always consult a doctor before introducing new foods, fruit juice or water to your baby.
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Categories: Baby Health
In other languages:
Español: Cómo lidiar con el estreñimiento de los bebés, Português: Como Lidar com a Prisão de Ventre dos Bebês, Italiano: Come Trattare la Stitichezza di un Bambino, Русский: справиться с запором у младенца
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