How To Cure Constipation In Babies

Home Remedies For Constipation In Children

09 September, 2018

Constipation in children shouldnt be treated with the conventional laxatives that adults can take. These drugs have an irritating effect on the intestine that can impair its function, especially if theyre abused at an early age.

In todays article, well give you 12 natural and home remedies for constipation in children that will prevent any risks to their health.

How Is Constipation Diagnosed In A Child

The healthcare provider will ask about your childs symptoms and health history. He or she will give your child a physical exam. Depending on how old your child is, you might be asked questions such as:

• How old was your baby when he or she had their first stool?

• How often does your child have a bowel movement?

• Does your child complain of pain when having a bowel movement?

• Have you been trying to toilet train your toddler lately?

• What foods does your child eat?

• Have there been any stressful events in your child’s life lately?

• How often does your child poop in his or her pants?

Your childs provider may also want to do some tests to see if there are any problems. These tests may include:

How To Treat It

A change in formula or in Mom’s diet could help combat constipation in formula and breastfed babies, respectively. Solid foods, which are often the cause of constipation, can also be the cure, Dr. Shu says. Several kinds of fruits and veggies, such as pears and broccoli, can get things back on track, along with fruit juice and water.

When a change in diet isn’t doing the trick, talk to your pediatrician before employing other methods. The doctor might suggest rectal stimulation with the use of a cotton swab or rectal thermometer. This usually produces a bowel movement within several minutes of stimulation, Dr. Shu says. Another possible is a glycerin suppository. If it works, it could take about an hour to produce a poop, Dr. Shu says. Other suggestions may include Miralax, a tasteless powder you can mix into a drink senna, a natural vegetable laxative and lactulose, a synthetic sugar used for treating constipation.

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How To Quickly Relieve A Constipated Baby

Are you wondering if you have a constipated baby on hand?

AFFILIATE DISCLOSURE

The one thing no one tells you about being a new parent is how much you will obsess over baby poop.

Most new parents are freaked out about the slightest irregularity in the babies bowel movement.

If you are looking for remedies for constipation in babies, you are at the right place. Read on, to find out how to relieve a constipated baby.

Which Option Is Better For Colic

Anyone caring for a baby with colic will likely be keen to try anything that might ease the babys discomfort.

Several users of parent-to-parent forums have recommended both gripe water and gas drops as remedies for colic. However, no scientific evidence shows either of them to work. As such, it is up to the caregiver to decide whether to try either remedy and see which, if either, works best for the child.

If a babys symptoms seem to stem more from gas pain, then gas drops might be more effective. If a baby appears in more general discomfort, gripe water might be the better option. However, there is no guarantee that either will make a difference.

Caregivers should remember that there is always a possibility their child could react negatively to any new remedy.

Gripe water products can contain many different ingredients. Be sure to check the label of gripe water to see what it contains. Do not use products that contain alcohol.

Also, some gripe water ingredients remain untested in babies. Ask a doctor to be sure ingredients are safe for a baby before using them.

A new, untried remedy could also cause an allergic reaction. Caregivers should learn the signs that might indicate an infant is having an allergic reaction. If a caregiver suspects an allergic reaction, they should stop using the medicine immediately and seek advice from a doctor.

Signs of an allergic reaction include:

• a rash
• swelling on the face, neck, or tongue
• vomiting

White noise or womb noise

Try a pacifier

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How Often Should Baby Poop

To figure out if your child has a bout of baby constipation, its helpful to know how often babies tend to produce stool. From newborn to 3 months, a breastfed baby might have anywhere from 5 to 40 bowel movements a weekan average of 2.9 a day. Since breastfed babies absorb so much of the milk, some infants could go up to three or four days, or maybe even a week, without pooping. But as long as when they do its soft, pain free and blood free, thats fine, Santo Domingo says. Their formula-fed counterparts can have anywhere from 5 to 28 a week, or about two a day.

As infants age, breastfed and formula-fed babies start to have about the same number of poopsso from 3 to 6 months, that means about two to four bowel movements a day, and at 6 to 12 months, both formula-fed and breastfed babies will go down to 5 to 28 bowel movements a week, or about 1.8 a day. Keep in mind, these are just averages. If an infant doesnt have a bowel movement every single day, were not that concerned, Santo Domingo says. What were more concerned with is whether its hard when it does come outthat would lead us more toward thinking its baby constipation.

/8safest Home Remedies To Treat Constipation In Infants

Breast milk can be easily digested by babies and is considered a natural laxative. Thus, constipation in breastfed babies is rare, but this doesn’t mean it cant happen. Breastfed babies have less chances of getting diarrhoea and constipation as compared to formula-fed babies.

Most of the times, its normal for a baby to go days or more than a week without a bowel movement. But if your baby has constipation, he definitely needs help.

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What Can Cause Infant Constipation

Constipation is rare in young babies, particularly in those who are not yet eating solid foods. Itâs more likely to occur in your baby once you introduce solids. Your babyâs pattern of bowel movements will vary depending on his age and what heâs eaten recently.In very rare cases, your babyâs constipation may be caused by an underlying condition, such as Hirschsprung’s disease, hypothyroidism, or cystic fibrosis. Contact his healthcare provider if you think your baby has constipation due to of any of these conditions, or if you have any questions about your baby’s symptoms.

Constipation In Toddlers And Children

Frequency of bowel movements for children will vary based on the individual. Some kids have a bowel movement twice per day, while others go once every two or three days. Constipation is characterized by hard or dry stools that are difficult to pass. If your child is struggling to use the bathroom, the first thing to look at is their eating habits.

Incorporating more high-fiber foods and encouraging plenty of liquids will help your child produce regular bowel movements. Some beneficial foods to add to your child’s menu include:

• Beans
• Vegetables
• Whole wheat breads and cereals

Children should get about 14 grams of fiber for every 1,000 calories they eat. If your child is not used to eating high-fiber foods, increase their intake gradually to minimize discomfort from gas or bloating.

Other choices that are good for kids with constipation include vegetable soups and popcorn. Extra bran can also be helpful, including bran cereals, bran muffins, shredded wheat, graham crackers, and whole-wheat bread.

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When To Worry About Constipation In Children And Babies

Yes, there are times when you should worry about constipation in children and babies. When you notice that the constipation is becoming consistent and none of your home remedies are working, then you should contact a medical professional.

Also, there are occasions where the stiffness and dryness of the stool would tear the areas around the babys anus. This could result in extra difficulty and the appearance of blood in the babys stool.

In situations such as these, you could contact the help of a doctor that has been examining the baby. Although on many occasions, the health care expert would recommend home remedies as the first point of call and action. But what really are these home remedies for constipation, and how effective can they be? Well, you are about to find out!

Change What Your Child Eats And Drinks

Changing what your child eats and drinks may make his or her stools softer and easier to pass. To help relieve symptoms, have him or her

• eat more high-fiber foods
• drink plenty of water and other liquids if your child eats more fiber

Read about what your child should eat and drink to help relieve constipation.

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How Do Doctors Treat The Complications Of Constipation In Children

Doctors may be able to treat complications of constipation in children during an office visit. Your childs doctor may recommend at-home treatments, too.

For a child age 2 or older, your doctor may recommend giving mineral oil. Your child will take the mineral oil by mouth or through an enema.

Your childs doctor may be able to treat rectal prolapse during an office visit by manually pushing the rectum back through the childs anus. Helping a child prevent constipation is the best way to prevent rectal prolapse.

How Can I Help My Child Live With Constipation

Constipation can be either short-term or long-term . Children with intestinal diseases may have chronic constipation problems. But in most cases, constipation is a short-term condition. If your child has chronic constipation, work with his or her healthcare provider. Together you can create a care plan that is right for your child.

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What Causes Constipation

The most common cause is when a child will not pass a stool because they expect pain so they delay toileting and the problem gets worse.

When constipation occurs in a baby, it is often because they are not getting enough fluid in their diet.

It is quite rare in a baby who is only fed with breast milk, but is more common in babies who have been introduced to solids and sometimes formula.

Is My Baby Constipated

Your baby is constipated if they have a hard belly and they havent done a poo for longer than whats normal for them. The poo might be hard and painful for your baby to pass when it does come out, there could be blood in their stools, and they may also lose their appetite. Generally, your baby will not be very happy and they may well cry or strain when trying to go to the toilet.

Wondering if your baby is constipated if passing gas? Not necessarily. Babies can pass wind quite often, so passing gas might therefore just be part of their usual bowel movements. Look for any of the other symptoms mentioned above as well as the gas to see if they are actually constipated. If youre concerned your baby isnt putting gaining weight correctly, take a look at the average weight for babies aged 0 to 12 months.

Constipation can become dangerous for your baby if left untreated for a long time. If your baby is constipated and isnt gaining weight or shows any other unusual symptoms then visit your GP or call 111.

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Drink Some Fruit Juice

Fruit juice is also effective for relieving constipation because some contain the sweetener sorbitol, which can function as a laxative.

If your baby is at least 6 months old, you can offer 2 to 4 ounces of fruit juice. This includes 100-percent apple juice, prune juice, or pear juice in addition to regular feedings.

When To Seek Help

Very rarely, constipation can be a sign of an underlying health problem. If a baby under 6 weeks is constipated, you will need an assessment by a doctor to exclude an underlying condition.

Take your baby to a doctor, or seek help from a midwife or child health nurse if:

• your babys poo is dry and crumbly or like pellets, or they seem to have pain and discomfort when doing a poo
• your baby is constipated and they are gaining weight slowly
• they have blood in their poo

You can also read more about constipation in children.

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Thingsnot To Do In Constipation

• Do not feed the bananas, it can cause constipation.
• Avoid White Toast, rice cereals in babys diet.
• Avoid cows milk for your baby as it is difficult to digest for still developing a digestive system.
• Avoid cheese, ice cream or any milk based products while the baby is constipated.
• Avoid carrots, potatoes, pasta, all other kinds of processed foods.
• Dont give any kind of medication to a baby without consulting with pediatric.
• Regular usage of ragi/finger millet can cause constipation in your baby so avoid to give it in excess.

If your baby is suffering from constipation then try above-mentioned home remedies before consulting the doctor. These home remedies are safe and easy to use. Just try one home remedy at a time, dont use all remedies together.

Leave a comment if you have any query related to baby health and food.

When Should I Call My Child’s Healthcare Provider

• Is constipated for more than 2 weeks

• Cant do normal activities because of constipation

• Cant get a stool out with normal pushing

• Has liquid or soft stool leaking out of the anus

• Has small, painful tears in the skin around the anus

• Has red, swollen veins in the rectum

• Has belly pain, fever, or vomiting

• Has changes in urination, weakness in the legs, or back pain

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Foods That Relieve Constipation In Babies

Certain high fiber foods can help relieve constipation in babies above 6 months of age.

Example:

Avoid offering too much bread, white pasta, applesauce, rice cereal. All these foods are low in fiber and can cause constipation.

When all these options do not work, and its been more than 8 -10 days that baby has passed a motion, you may want to talk with your pediatrician to see if further medical help is needed. Until then, do not stress continue giving baby lots of exercise, massage, and fiber-rich foods.

Do you know of home remedies for constipation in babies? Leave me a comment with what remedies worked for your baby.

Key Points About Constipation In Children

• Constipation is when a child has very hard stools, and has fewer bowel movements than they normally do.

• Constipation can be caused by a childs diet, lack of exercise, or emotional issues.

• Once a child becomes constipated, the problem can quickly get worse.

• Making diet and lifestyle changes can help treat and help prevent constipation.

• Never give your child an enema, laxative, or stool softener unless the healthcare provider recommends this.

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What You Can Do

Dont give your baby medicines for constipation unless they are advised or prescribed by a doctor.

If your baby is fed with breast milk:

• You may need to feed your baby more often. See your doctor or child health nurse for advice.

If your baby is fed with formula:

• It may be that his or her formula has not been made up correctly, so it does not contain enough water.
• Double check that you are following the instructions on the tin of formula correctly.
• Make sure you are using the scoop that is provided with the tin of formula you are using different brands can have different sized scoops.
• Make sure you are not packing the powdered formula too tightly in the scoop it should be loosely filled, and levelled off using the flat side of a knife or the leveller provided.
• Make sure you are adding water to the bottle first, then the powdered formula. If you add formula first you will be adding too little water to the bottle.

If your baby is eating solids :

• Offer extra water between their normal meals or diluted fruit juice , 1 part juice to 3 parts water.
• Try to encourage them to eat extra servings of fruit and vegetables that have been pureed or chopped . These can include stewed prunes, stewed apricots, and steamed vegetables.
• Add more water to your babys solids.

Other things to try:

• Gently move your babys legs in a cycling motion this may help stimulate their bowels.
• Gently massage your babys tummy.
• A warm bath can help the muscles relax .