A newborn may poop several times a day or sometimes it may go for four to five days without pooping. This can be very much normal for babies, but sometimes it may lead to baby constipation and you may need to know how to help a constipated baby.
How To Help A Constipated Baby?
- Give a gentle massage and move her legs, it may make her poop
- Give a gentle massage on baby’s tummy
- If the Baby Is Exclusively Breastfed (up to 6 months of her age), offer her more feeding sessions, which may help her poop well
- If the baby is on formula milk, try changing the formula milk brand
- You may apply Hing powder (Asafoetida) mixed with little water or coconut oil, apply it around the naval area. It will relieve gas in the baby and may help her poop
Baby Constipation Home Remedies
When a baby is constipated, you may need to visit a pediatrician and can try the below-mentioned home remedies for baby constipation as per the pediatrician’s recommendation.
- A warm water bath may help the baby to poop
- Give her some tummy time, it will add a little pressure on her tummy and help her relieve constipation
- If the baby is not able to hold up her head, you can take her on your lap and support her head while giving tummy time
Symptoms of Constipation In Babies
- The Baby hasn’t pooped for several days
- The baby seems to be extremely uncomfortable while passing the stool
- Babies tend to cry while passing stool if they are constipated
- Poop appears to be dry, or like small stones (pebble-like stones)
- The color of the poop is darker than her normal poop
- Baby is not willing to eat or take feed due to the pain and discomfort
- She is being extremely fussy
- Tummy may feel tight to touch
Causes of Constipation In Babies
- A baby can have a slow digestive system
- A common cause of constipation is dehydration in babies
- Babies above 6 months of age may have insufficient water intake that may lead to constipation
- Lack of fiber in food (They need high fiber foods like banana, papaya, prunes, etc)
- The mother’s diet plays a major role in exclusively breastfed babies, you may need to skip certain foods for the baby’s happy tummy.
How To Relieve Constipation In Babies (For 6+ months babies)
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- Increase water intake (1.5 – 2 liters of water for kids over 1 year)
We all need hydration. A dehydrated body cannot function well in normal conditions. Give a lot of water to your baby and kids so that they get relief from constipation.
Warm water works wonders in constipation. Giving warm water throughout the day will relieve prolonged constipation.
- Give Banana And Prunes
Banana and Prunes have proven results of quick relief in constipation. Give these fruits regularly to get long-term relief in constipation.
- Almond oil helps
Sweet almond oil gives great results in constipation. Put a few drops in milk OR breastmilk. Give 2-3 spoonfuls of almond oil diluted milk before going to the bed. Baby and kid will get relief from constipation by the next morning.
- Give fresh curd
Add fresh curd to the kids’diet. Curd has good bacteria and helps improve the digestive system and gives quick relief from constipation in babies and kids.
- Apply Asafoetida
Mix some asafoetida powder in a little bit of water. Make a semi-thick paste. Apply this paste around the naval area. This will give quick relief in colic, gas, and constipation.
- Make Them Exercise
Adding a physical activity especially walking will ease their bowel movements. Ask the kids to walk and give some tummy time to babies.
- Increase water intake (1.5 – 2 liters of water for kids over 1 year)
Other Remedies – How To Help A Constipated Baby
- Breastfeed More
Try to breastfeed more and more during constipation. It will ensure enough hydration in the babies and will give them relief in constipation. - Change Formula
Some formula milk contents don’t suit every baby. Try to replace the formula and see what suits your baby. - Dill oil
Dill oil mixture works wonders in colic, gas, and constipation. Doctors may prescribe medicines that contain dill oil and give relief in constipation.
Baby Constipation Relief
- If the baby is exclusively breastfed, try to give more feedings.
- In case your baby has started solid foods, try to offer her mashed banana, pureed peas, pureed prunes, etc
- Massaging your baby gently will always help her stay fuss-free. It is a great remedy cor baby colic, baby gas, and constipation in babies.
Related Read: How To Calm A Colic Baby
What To Do When A Baby Is Constipated
- Do not panic
- Try above-mentioned home remedies to relieve constipation in babies
- If the constipation is happening frequently and home remedies are not being useful, consult with the pediatrician
- If your baby is exclusively breastfed, try to avoid the foods that may make you and baby constipated
What To Give A Constipated Baby
- Mashed banana
- Puree of prunes
- More breastfeeding
- Pureed fruits and vegetables
- Sufficient amount of water (6+ month babies)
- Steamed and mashed pears (add a little breast milk in the mashed pears to make it a bit runny)
- Mashed papaya (or pureed papaya with added breast milk)
- Fennel seeds water may help. Boil a teaspoon of fennel seeds in a cup of water. Cool it down and give this water to the baby three to four times a day
How Long Can A Baby Go Without Pooping
The period may vary from baby to baby. Some babies may pass stools several times a day and some may go without pooping for more than four to five days and that can be absolutely normal.
If your baby is passing soft poop which doesn’t stink and which is not darker in color than usual; then it is absolutely fine if the baby skips the poop for a day or two.
Baby Constipation When To Worry
Constipation is a condition when someone is not able to pass the stool easily. The hard pebble-like stool gives a lot of discomfort and pain to the babies. And sometimes it causes bleeding too.
If your baby is facing constipation frequently, you really need to worry. Consult with a pediatrician, and take his help to relieve constipation in your baby.
Doctors may prescribe some laxatives which are safe for babies. Some medicines that help for colic in babies may also work wonders in constipation. But you need to get them prescribed from a pediatrician first.
This post will help you know how to help a constipated baby and let your baby be happy. Baby constipation may become extremely stressful and painful for the baby and you also. It is always better to take a medical practitioner’s help at the right time and reduce the pain of constipation in babies.
References:
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/324543
https://www.webmd.com/parenting/baby/baby-constipation
I haven’t heard of a few of these tips before ! Like the powder, almond oil and curd. This was a really interesting read.
Great tips! I’m a big fan of the baby massage myself. It worked with my gassy son lol.
With mine I always found the movement tricks worked the best. Thanks for all the other ideas!
Good suggestions to help little ones.