Baby Poop matters more !!!
How do you know your little one is constipated ?
The normal bowel movement varies from baby to baby and also depend on the age and type of feeding .
Each baby has a different bowel movement and to tell the baby to be constipated, there should be a gross change in the routine.
I have seen babies in pediatrics OPD who poop only once in 4 days.
Usually you can wait upto 7 days for a breastfed baby and 4 days for a formula fed baby to declare them constipated.
Signs of constipation .
1. If the poop is very hard and pebble like and dry, it is a sign of constipation as it indicates that poop has been in the rectum for longer period leading to the absorption of water from it.
2. If the baby cries during straining to pass stools.
3. Blood in stools, it might be due to rupture of tiny blood vessels due to severe straining.
4. Constipation accompanied with vomiting and belly tenderness.
How to Relieve Constipation in babies?
1. Breastmilk is a natural laxative, so continue breastfeeding even if the baby is constipated. In a exclusively breastfed baby, consult a pediatrician if the baby has any of the above signs and does not poop even after 7 days.
2. If your baby is formula fed, then try changing the formula.
3. For babies who have started solids, the following can be tried
” P ” Food
Prunes
Peaches
Peas
Plums
aPricots
Prune juice is very effective. Also increase the fiber intake of the baby.
4. Avoid the following foods, carrots, rice cereal, bread, potatoes, apple sauce (remember apple juice may help relieve constipation) , squash, yogurt. The foods that cause constipation varies between babies, maintain a food dairy and make a note of foods that cause constipation in your little one and try to avoid them.
5. If your baby is on solid food, give water in between the feeds which helps in prevention of dehydration and also increases the water content of stools and softening the stools.
6. For Babies above 4 months, try to make them sit in a squatting position to facilitate the easy passage of stool.
7. The baby can be placed in a tub of warm water, the warmth will help to relax the muscles and aid in easy defecation.
8. Mix ” ONE DROP ” of castor oil with a few drops of breastmilk and apply it on the babies tongue, take care to wash your hands properly before giving the mixture.
9. Massage the belly lightly with either castor or coconut oil.
10. Using laxatives and suppositories should be the last resort, as the baby may get used to it, and pass stools only when they are used.
Consult a pediatrician immediately if the baby has the following symptoms
1. Fever.
2. Vomiting
3. Incessant Cry.
4. Blood in stools.
5. Rigid and taut Belly.
Hope this article was useful in answering your queries on ways to relieve constipation in babies….Any questions please comment below, will answer it as soon as possible.
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If your baby has recently started on solids, you might also be wondering what kind of feeding chair is best for your baby. Check out our detailed post – High Chair Vs Booster Seat: Your Ultimate Guide to Buying a Feeding Chair.
If worried about the child’s weight, refer to the list of recipes for healthy weight gain in 10 baby weight gaining foods.
The content in this article is only for informational purposes and does not substitute medical advice. Always consult your pediatrician for issues and queries regarding your baby’s well-being.
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Reference
1.https://baby-toddler-club.coles.com.au/recipes-nutrition/nutrition-guides/baby/food-for-constipated-babies/
2. http://www.parents.com/baby/health/constipation/foods-that-cause-and-relieve-constipation-in-babies/
3. http://www.askdrsears.com/topics/health-concerns/childhood-illnesses/constipation-2
4. http://www.drgreene.com/qa-articles/babies-constipation/
5. http://www.breastfeeding-problems.com/breastfeeding-and-constipation.html
6. http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-living/infant-and-toddler-health/expert-answers/infant-constipation/faq-20058519
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Bethel madison says
July 17, 2017 at 11:32 pmToddler Magic Tea naturally-sweet, all-natural supplement helps relieve constipation, promotes healthy digestion, improves toddler’s sleeping, and helps reduce the symptoms of the common cold.
Noorjahan says
March 21, 2017 at 3:13 pmHello doctor,
Wonderful service given by you for a new mommy like me. Thanks for that. I saw your blogs on homemade powder preparation for babies. It’s very helpful. I have few doubts on that. Please help
Can we keep the powders refrigerated?. If yes, how many months?.
Wil the refrigerated powder cause cold for my baby?
Also while preparing ragi porridge can we add 1/2 teaspoon almond powder?
And is it good to add a pinch of salt while preparing porridge?
He is not swallowing coarse powdered porridge . How to overcome it. ?
Please help me on this
Noorjahan says
March 21, 2017 at 3:14 pmMy baby is 6 months old.
Dr Hemapriya says
January 29, 2018 at 12:52 pmHi dear, thank you for the following my blog and recipes for your baby. Yes you can keep the powders refridgerated and extend the shelf life upto 6 months from date of production. It will not cause any cold to your baby as we are going to serve it warm.
While preparing ragi porridge you can try with almond powder. I adviece you to not add salt to your baby before 1 year. You can make it finer or add fruit purees to naturally sweeten it.
Pam says
October 15, 2016 at 4:21 pmDear Dr. Hema,
Your site is extremely useful for new mothers like me and I’m very thankful to have come across this. My 10 month old baby girl has been feeling constipated lately and is straining a little to poop. She hates formula and is breastfed but I doubt if her intake is enough for a baby her age. Can you suggest ways to increase her breastmilk intake and reduce her constipation? Thank you!
Dr Hemapriya says
October 17, 2016 at 12:03 pmDear Pam,
To increase the intake of breastmilk is always to feed on demand and do not encourage formula through feeding bottle as the babies fed through feeding bottle do not like to work to drink breastmilk
Nisha says
May 23, 2016 at 8:46 pmHi Dr,
Could you please give a sample diet chart for 2-3 days while relieving the constipation? I have been keeping my baby off the rice, since constipation is on n off. But for how long?
Regards,
Nisha
Queens says
December 28, 2015 at 3:45 pmAre those solutions working fine? Here’s the thing, my SIL’s daughter constipate frequently. My SIL found many solutions from internet but seems like they are not working and her daughter is still suffering in constipation issue. That’s why I’m wondering the above ways whether working fine or not.
Sasa Thonq says
December 28, 2015 at 12:04 pmThanks for sharing~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
andrew says
December 16, 2015 at 1:14 pmmy sons was suffering constipation as well
imeyshika says
August 2, 2015 at 7:58 pmappreciate your view very much !
imeyshika says
August 2, 2015 at 7:57 pmDear Doctor, as a new mom i ve been so blessed with your posts .. i have to ask you regarding my baby boy of 7 months. He refuses to take in water because it is tasteless.. i have been getting him to drink juices like pomegranate mixing it with 1:1 juice water ratio, ensuring he atleast consumes water this way since he has started eating solids.. is this good enough?? lately he is constipated. He passes his stools everyday but it is very dry n pebble like. I doubt he feels uneasy through the day.. lower stomach is hard and he expresses pain while passing stool. What do i do to get him drink more water? Is prune juice good? How do i make prune juice for him?
Dr Hemapriya says
August 3, 2015 at 9:29 amHi Imeyshika,
You don’t have to force your baby to drink water, if your baby is on breastfeed then can meet his water demands for a day, for more information read this article ” How much water does my baby need “
mickaela says
March 25, 2017 at 12:05 amHi hemapriya.my baby is 9 months old…shes taking breastfeed and formula..because my milk is not enough for her..when she is taking anti histamine cause of measles..she is constipated .she cries when she poop because of a hard tools..what am i going to do? Can anti histamine is 1 of the caused of her contioation?
Dr Hemapriya says
April 13, 2018 at 4:03 pmHi Mickeala, you should consult your doctor dear since your baby has measles. The cause of constipation can be body heat as well, please visit your doctor to find a cure.
trupti says
July 14, 2015 at 4:30 pmHi hemapriya!! Liked reading ur website.. will definitely try ur receipes..my baby girl is of 1yr 6 mnths.she doesn’t like water n milk.so her liquid intake is very low.I try to give her water after every 2 hrs. Difficult to feed her any other liquid like juice n soups.she ia hesitant to try new taste.low liduid intake so issue in passing urine.she feels itchy in that area after passing urine.doctor is saying to get urine taste done to check fr urine infection.she urinates 6 times in a day..pls help on how to increase her water intake.n all d best fr ur wonderful website!!
Dr Hemapriya says
August 7, 2015 at 2:31 pmHi trupti,
It’s impossible to say how much water any individual – baby, child or adult – needs in a day. It depends on many variables, for instance, their own metabolism, their level of activity, the weather, and the foods they have eaten that day (many foods naturally contain large amounts of liquid and others very little).
Babies and children generally don’t need any more than their thirst dictates – they just need the opportunity to decide this for themselves, in the same way that adults do. The best way to reassure yourself that your baby/toddler is having enough to drink is to offer frequent drinks, or by leaving a small cup of water within his/her reach during the day.
As a rule of thumb, after 12 months of age, if your toddler’s urine is pale yellow, then it means that he is getting enough hydration and you don’t have to worry about his water intake.
Krupali says
June 23, 2015 at 4:28 pmHey I have a 2.5 yr old son n he has severe constipation problem ..I have tried all medication n even homeopathic but as soon as dosage is over.. back to same problem. ..I give him cow milk..can that be a problem. .plz help
Dr Hemapriya says
June 26, 2015 at 11:53 amHi Krupali,
If you think cow’s milk might be the problem, you can stop it for a week or so and restart, give him a high fibre diet and adequate water
Rency says
May 25, 2015 at 11:13 pmMy baby is exclusively breastfed. She doesn’t pass stools on her own so my doc has suggested to use suppository every 3-4 days. I never tried waiting until 7 days, as baby gets uncomfortable by the 3rd or the 4th day and passes smelly gasses. the stools that she passes aft using the suppository are very soft (in fact close to liquid like).
Dr Hemapriya says
May 26, 2015 at 4:38 pmHi Rency,
I don’t think using suppositories regularly is a good idea as babies tend to accustomed to it and later only when you keep suppository they will pass stools. For an exclusive breast fed baby you can wait till 7 days , but since your baby is getting uncomfortable, you can give a drop of castor oil mixed with milk after 4 days, even that too, don’t make it as a habit
Beli says
April 21, 2015 at 2:25 pmThanks for info.
sitiban says
April 3, 2015 at 4:17 pmSuch a useful post!! My ds too suffers a lot, because of constipation.
Dr Hemapriya says
April 4, 2015 at 8:24 am🙂
Antonet Roajer says
March 1, 2015 at 1:31 amSuch a useful post!! My little one too suffers a lot, because of constipation.
zeba says
May 25, 2016 at 2:27 amHi my baby is 7months and he always suffers from constipation.and this problem is since when he was just 1month.plz suggest some foods which gives him relief from constipation.bye.
Dr Hemapriya says
May 28, 2016 at 12:25 pmDear Zeba,
This post has all the details
Arooz says
February 28, 2015 at 7:38 pmThe foods you mentioned to be avoided are the most common foods we give after introducing solids. I am confused now as what to be given to my 9month baby.
Dr Hemapriya says
March 1, 2015 at 9:37 amHi Arooz, IF you are baby is constipated then it is better to avoid these fruits, otherwise you can give the foods regularly
varsha says
June 28, 2014 at 7:15 pmWaiting for next article��
Jhashar Nalendran says
June 29, 2014 at 2:28 pmWill post the article this week…..