How to Treat Constipation in Infants

Constipation in Infants is a difficult problem to treat. It is also heartbreaking for parents to see their babies in discomfort or pain.

The normal amount of bowel movements that an infant passes depends on his or her age and what he or she is eating.

An infant suffers from constipation if his or her bowel movements are less frequent than usual. Other signs include straining more than usual to pass stool, blood in the stool, a firm tummy and refusing to eat because of increasing discomfort.

This problem in infants can be due to the introduction of new solid food, the type of baby formula you are using, lack of activity and dehydration.

Although uncommon, infants also can have constipation due to an underlying medical condition, such as hypothyroidism, botulism, certain food allergies and metabolic disorders.

If your child experiences constipation frequently, consult a pediatrician. However, for mild constipation, you can try some exercise and dietary changes to help deal with this problem.

Increase Water Consumption to cure Constipation in Infants :-

Whether your baby is breast or bottle fed, it’s easy to assume she’s getting enough water due to a primarily liquid diet. If your baby is showing signs of constipatiopn, try giving her an additional 2-4 ounces (1/4-1/2 cup) of water after each feeding to help bowels flush properly.

Offer Fruit Juice to cure Constipation in Infants:-

Formula :-

Babies who breastfeed exclusively are rarely constipated. Breast milk has the perfect balance of fat and protein, so it produces stools that are almost always soft – even if your baby hasn’t had one for several days.

If your baby is on formula, it’s possible that something in his formula is making him constipated. It’s not uncommon for the protein component in different formulas to cause constipation. Ask your baby’s doctor about switching brands.

Solid food to cure Constipation in Infants:-

Don’t be surprised if your baby becomes mildly constipated as he eats more solid food. That’s often because rice cereal, usually the first food given during this transition period, is low in fiber. Constipation can also happen when you wean your baby from breast milk because this sometimes leads to dehydration.

Light Exercises to cure Constipation in Infants:-

To help treat constipation in young babies, you can use certain exercises.

They help improve digestion and make the bowel movements regular, thus treating infant constipation. In fact, active babies suffer less from gas, stomach pain and constipation.

• • If your baby has started crawling, encourage him or her to do a few laps.
  • Leg bicycle exercise also help a lot. Put your baby in a lying position, hold the legs in a half-bent position and gently begin to move your baby’s legs as if riding a bicycle.

• If your baby has started walking, help him or her walk around a bit after eating.

Avoid lying your child down immediately after eating.

Tummy Massage to cure Constipation in Infants:-

Massaging your baby’s tummy is another good remedy for constipated infants. Gentle stomach and lower abdomen massages stimulate bowel movements. They even help relieve gas and colic pain in infants. In addition, a gentle massage helps your baby sleep well.

1. 1. Put your baby in a lying position.
   2. Put some warm olive or coconut oil on your baby’s stomach.
   3. Working 2 finger widths away from the navel, gently massage the stomach in a clockwise direction for 3 to 4 minutes.

1. Do several massages throughout the day, until your child has a bowel movement.

Warm Bath to cure Constipation in Infants:-

Giving your constipated baby a relaxing warm bath can also help a lot. It helps things move through the body more quickly and even brings relief from gas pain.

1. Fill your baby’s bathtub with warm water.
2. Bathe your baby in the water.
3. Give a tummy massage as you are drying your baby.