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Every parent wants a healthy and happy baby in their arms. Once your newborn comes into this world, you want to do everything in your power to ensure that they are fully comfortable. They are tiny humans entirely dependent on you, making their comfort, care, health, and safety your responsibility. While there are plenty of books out there that can guide you through newborn care post-delivery, when your baby arrives, you will be in for a whole lot of surprises and challenges.
Every new parent experiences them, and there’s no need to panic — you’re in the process of learning, and when you encounter a problem is when you learn how to get out of it. Today, we are here to help you tackle infant constipation. Keep reading as we discuss how you can treat it with some simple home remedies:
1. Exercise
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As adults, it’s common knowledge that exercise is crucial to our overall well-being, including our physical and mental health. But did you know that exercise is necessary even for infants? It’s true! Your baby might be too young to run, walk or even crawl, but that’s where you come in. Exercise and movements help stimulate a baby’s bowels, relieving them of constipation. Gently move your baby’s legs while they lie on their back to mimic the movement of riding a bicycle (1).
2. Changes In Diet
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Infants have a pretty standard diet — breast milk, baby formula, or simple solid foods. So there’s not much room to alter their diet. When a breastfeeding baby is constipated, dietary changes in the mother’s food habits may be helpful. Eliminating dairy from the mother’s diet may help relieve the little one of constipation. If your baby is feeding on formula milk, try changing it for a different kind of formula after consulting the pediatrician (2). However, it is quite possible to see no changes in your baby’s bowel movements after incorporating these alterations too.
If your baby is old enough to eat solid foods, introduce a good amount of fiber in their diet. Broccoli, whole grains, peaches, plums, pears, and skinless apples are excellent sources of fiber for your infant.
3. Warm Bath
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Who doesn’t like a nice, warm, and cozy bath? We know you do, but so does your baby! If your baby is constipated, they are probably in a lot of discomfort, and a warm bath can relieve them from it. Giving them a nice warm bath can help relax their abdominal muscles and ease any strain caused by constipation.
4. Massage
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Another technique to relax your baby’s muscles is a massage. It is a great way to help your baby with all that strain and discomfort. There are different ways to massage your baby to relieve constipation. Start by laying your baby on their back and use your fingertips to make circular motions gently on their stomach in a clockwise direction. You can also walk your fingers around their navel in a clockwise motion. You can also try to hold your baby’s feet and knees together and gently push the feet towards the belly (3). Speak to a medical professional and be extremely gentle while massaging your baby.
5. Fruit Juice
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Fruits are filled with fiber. If your baby has started having semi-solid food, fruit juices can be a saving grace to smoothen out their bowel movements. Start by giving them small amounts of fruit juice mixed with water. Add pure apple, prune, or pear juice to your baby’s diet. These juices contain sorbitol, a sweetener that acts as a laxative that may help with infant constipation. Start by feeding your baby two to four ounces of the juices along with their usual feedings to see some results (4). You can alter the quantity depending on if your baby needs more or less after observing how their body reacts to it.
6. Taking A Rectal Temperature
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When your baby is constipated, taking a rectal temperature may help them pass stool. However, there are things you have to keep in mind when you’re following this method, as it could make matters worse if not done carefully. Make sure the thermometer is well sterilized, clean, and lubricated. It’s best to consult a pediatrician if you resort to this method often for your baby to have a clear bowel movement.
7. Hydration
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Typically, babies who only breastfeed or have formula milk do not require additional liquid supplements. However, if your baby is constipated, a little extra liquid might help them. Medical experts generally recommend adding small amounts of water to the baby’s diet when they are constipated and are over two to four months of age (5).
It might hurt to see your infant in pain and discomfort when they are constipated. After all, a healthy bowel movement means a happy baby, and that’s something every parent wishes for their little one. Always remember that it’s best to consult a medical expert before making any drastic changes to your baby’s lifestyle.
Have you tried any of these home remedies for infant constipation? Let us know in the comments below if they worked for your baby! Also, share this article with your near and dear ones to help them out with their baby!
