How To Relieve Constipation In Infants

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.

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!

How To Relieve Constipation In Babies

28 September, 2018

To learn how to prevent and relieve constipation in babies, you must first determine what their normal pattern of bowel movements is.

Its considered normal for a baby to have from one bowel movement after every meal to having one bowel movement a day. Believe it or not, both are considered totally normal!

It all depends on how the baby is fed, what they eat, what they drink, how active they are, how fast they digest their food and, of course, their genes.

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Other Causes Of Constipation In Babies

If your baby is dehydrated, their stools will be even drier and harder. They will have more difficulty passing stools because their body reacts to dehydration by absorbing more liquid, both from the foods and liquids they consume as from whats already processed in their intestines.

Also, there are medical conditions that can cause constipation, such as hypothyroidism, botulism, certain metabolic disorders, and food allergies.

Hirschsprungs disease or congenital megacolon is the least common disease. Its diagnosed in the first few weeks of life and prevents the proper functioning of the intestine.

If there are no clear reasons for hard and difficult to pass stools, you should consult with your doctor to rule out any disease.

Foods To Help Relieve Constipation In Babies:

Hopefully just some simple diet modifications will leave your baby pooping freely and feeling much more comfortable! Remember that every baby is different and their body will react differently to certain foods.

If simple diet changes dont seem to make a difference please seek out the advice of your doctor so they can rule out any other serious issues.

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How To Soothe The Baby

When a baby briefly cries out in their sleep, they often settle on their own. Picking them up may wake them up, disrupting their sleep.

If the crying continues, try talking softly to the baby or rubbing their back or stomach. This can help shift them into a different stage of sleep and help them stop crying.

Breastfed babies who nurse in their sleep may find comfort from nursing. Caregivers should decide whether or not the baby is likely to awaken from nursing and assess whether they are willing to risk waking the baby.

It can also be helpful to simply observe the babys sleep pattern. Some babies let out a soft cry as they fall deeply into sleep, or immediately before waking. Identifying the babys typical sleep pattern can help caregivers assess the cause of crying.

Some babies might cry in their sleep when they are sick or teething, but pain that causes crying will usually wake the baby. Caregivers can talk to a pediatrician about how to ease the babys pain.

Although we do not yet know when nightmares start, a caregiver who thinks that they hear their baby having a nightmare can soothe them by talking calmly to them or rubbing their back. Babies who are still breastfed may also find comfort from nursing.

If a baby wakes up after having had a nightmare, comfort them and follow a soothing sleep ritual to get them back to sleep. Older babies and toddlers may need reassurance that the nightmare was not real.

Herbal Remedies For Constipation In Infants

12. Herbal Tea

Take 2 cups each of fresh mint leaves and anise leaves. Boil 2 quarts of water. Pour it over the herbs. Allow to steep till the water gets cool down. Fill the tea in a bottle and give it to the baby, four ounces at a time.

13. Herbal Decoction

Boil a pint of water and add equal parts of licorice root and fennel seed to it. Simmer for 18-20 minutes. Then, let it to cool. Give 1 teaspoon after half an hour.

14. Herbal Teas

• Peppermint TeaHeat the water. Soak a peppermint tea bag in the water for at least 5 minutes. Pour 1 ounce of this water in babys bottle. Besides regular feedings, give this tea to your little one. It will sooth the tummy and ease the digestion, thus, regularizing the bowel movement.
• Chamomile TeaAnother effective remedy is chamomile tea. Dunk a chamomile tea bag in boiling water. Brew it for some time. Give it to your constipated kid.
• Ginger Tea Grate some ginger roots in a pot. Add some boiling water to it. Cover it and steep for 5-6 minutes. Strain it and allow it to cool. Ask your child to sip it.

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When A Baby Drinks Formula

One of the advantages of breast milk over formula is that theres no way a breastfed baby can suffer from constipation. However, their new intestines can have a hard time digesting formula.

Some formula ingredients may cause constipation in babies. Finding the right formula for your baby can be a harrowing and stressful process that will surely affect the newborn, thus complicating things even more.

Once you have determined what the perfect formula for your baby is, its considered normal for your baby to have one bowel movement a day. However, choosing to breastfeed your baby over formulas is the best choice for your babys overall health.

Maintaining Optimum Fluid Intake

The most frequent cause of constipation in babies is the lack of fluid in their diets.

Infants should be given milk as it contains all the necessary nutrients and around 80% of water as well. Children older than 18 months should be given plenty of water.

Furthermore, you can feed your child with mashed fruits as they have a high water, fiber, and nutritive content, as well.

Give your child adequate amounts of water throughout the day. You may also feed your infant with small amounts of diluted juices to help loosen stool upon consulting your pediatrician.

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Causes Of Infant Constipation

It is often frustrating for parents to try to understand the causes of their child’s constipation. Although some parents understand the role that too much cow’s milk, a diet low in fiber, and not drinking enough fluids have in contributing to constipation, they may have other children with the same diet who aren’t constipated.

In addition to your child’s eating habits, the other main factor that contributes to constipation is infrequent bowel movements. This can occur after a child has had a large, hard, and painful bowel movement. Because they may associate going to the bathroom with pain after this experience, they will try to hold their stools.

This creates a vicious cycle. Bowel movements are painful, so the child holds them in, causing stools to be even larger and harder, which causes more pain when they finally pass. Another common cause of constipation and infrequent stools is having a bad experience with potty training.

Although rare, there are some medical causes of constipation, such as Hirschsprung’s disease, cystic fibrosis, and hypothyroidism. Constipation is also often found in children with special needs, such as spina bifida, Down syndrome, and cerebral palsy, and it can be a side effect of many medications.

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 childs 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:

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Diet For Constipated Babies

The risk of constipation can be reduced to considerable amount by giving a proper diet to your child. Fluids , bran cereals and fiber rich foods , ease the symptoms associated to constipation.

The diet differs according to the age of the kid.

• Less than 2 months As the baby is too young, any food prepared outside cant be given. Its better to call up the doctor, instead of dealing with the situation at your own.
• 2 months and older Include nearly 3 ounces of water, on a regular basis, in his/her diet. You can also give 2 ounces of diluted apple juice or grape juice.
• 4 months and older Children of this age can have solid foods. So, you can include high fiber constituents such as peaches, beans, peas, and spinach in their diet.
• 5-10 months old Feed pureed foods to your kid. Ensure that there are no lumps in the food.
• 1 year old infant Give mashed food, if your tot belongs to this age group. There is no problem, if there are some lumps in the food.

Note- Do not give additional sugars and diluted juice simultaneously. Opt for only one cure.

When To Contact A Medical Professional

• An infant goes 3 days without a stool and is vomiting or irritable

Also call your child’s provider if:

• An infant younger than 2 months is constipated
• Non-breastfeeding infants go 3 days without having a bowel movement
• A child is holding back bowel movements to resist toilet training
• There is blood in the stools

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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.

/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 doesnt 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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When Should I Call My Childs 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

Natural Remedies For Constipation In Infants

1. Stomach Massage

Gently massage the stomach of your baby, in a clockwise direction with the help of your fingertips. Massage around the naval as well, in an outward, spherical motion. It will eradicate the tension out of your babys tummy and give him/her relief from the symptoms of constipation.

2. Exercise

• Keep your infant on his/her back. Hold his/her legs in a ½ bent position. Gently move babys legs in such a way, as if s/he paddling a bicycle. Do it at a steady pace. Leg bicycling is a great fun for your child and loosens up the intestines.
• Carry your newborn baby around in a squat position. Elevate his/her little legs in a way that s/he is squatting on your forearm like a bunny or frog. It will exert a little pressure on the kids rectum and help him/her to defecate.

3. Sugar Solution

Mix ½ teaspoon of sugar in an ounce of water. Give this solution to your baby three times a day before feeding him/her formula food. Instead of white sugar, it is recommended to use brown sugar for preparing this solution.

Note- Utilize cooled boiled water for this remedy.

4. Prune Juice

Add diluted prune juice to newborns bottle of formula. It will help him/her get rid of constipation.

• If your child is older than 4 months, mix 4 oz of breast or formula milk with 1 oz of prune juice. Give it twice a day.
• If your little one is less than 4 months, just a tablespoon of prune juice in 4 oz of breast or formula milk, two times a day is enough to regulate the bowel movement.

Note:

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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 To Call Your Pediatrician For Constipation

According to Dr. Bowling, you should consult your pediatrician if your child:

• Is younger than 6 months old
• Is straining more than normal or seems uncomfortable or irritable arches back or cries while trying to pass stool
• Stools are hard or pellet-like
• Infrequent or less frequent bowel movements
• Has blood in the stool
• Does not respond to treatment for constipation

Do not give your child a laxative, enema or suppository without calling your pediatrician first, Dr. Bowling said.

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How Can You Tell If Your Baby Is Constipated

If you suspect your baby may be constipated, ask yourself the following questions:

• Is she more fussy than usual?

• Is she spitting up more often?

• Is she having significantly fewer bowel movements than at other times?

• Are her stools harder than usual, and/or are they bloody?

• Does she strain for longer than 10 minutes when she needs to poop but still not pass anything?

If you answered âyesâ to any of these, your little one may be constipated.

How To Tell If Baby Is Constipated

When baby constipation is wreaking its havoc, babys poop comes out in hard balls. We often use the Bristol Stool Scale, which shows the range of stool textures from one to seven: One is rabbit-like, pellet-shaped poop, and seven is pure liquid, Santo Domingo says. We define constipated stool as anything that falls into levels one through three, with three looking like a collection of grapes or corn on the cob.

Sometimes you might see some blood on the outside of the stoolthis can happen when a constipated baby passes stool large enough to create a tiny fissure around the anus. If youre seeing a significant amount of blood, though, thats a sign of something else going on besides infant constipation that should be checked out by a doctor as soon as possible.

Baby constipation can cause a child to be irritable and fussy, refuse food and push away the bottle. Toddlers who can walk may start going to a corner and squatting or hiding, or tip-toeing. The most prevalent cue is when a child starts tip-toeing, Santo Domingo says. Its like an instinct they have, feeling that the straighter their body, the better theyll be able to withhold pooping, which may be painful or scary for constipated children. Even babies who are able to pull themselves to stand will try to straighten out as much as possible when theyre dealing with infant constipation.

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