Parent and Baby

Constipation in babies is not a reason to be worried. If your baby did not pass stool in one or two days, do not worry. Doctors do not diagnose that your baby has constipation unless the delay or difficulty in bowel movements lasts for two or more weeks.

Most babies suffer from functional constipation. Their stools are dry, cracked or hard but their bodies are generally healthy. There are many reasons for this like poor diet, illness, poor appetite, poor toilet accessibility, stressful events and changes in routine.

One cause for constipation is the diet. Some babies become constipated upon the introduction of solid foods. This is not a cause for alarm since the baby’s body is still adjusting to the solid in the new diet and is still getting used to digesting it. There are solid foods that may cause constipation because of high fiber content like bananas, carrots, applesauce, rice cereal, cheese, yogurt, white bread, pasta and potatoes.

There are things that you can do to ease your baby’s constipation like:

• If your baby is eating rice cereal, switch to mixed grain or oat. Avocado and sweet potatoes can also be given since they are easy to digest.
• Mix the cereal with a little prune juice. You can also try giving your baby fruit juice diluted with water. Give this to him until his stools softens.
• Add pureed fruits and vegetables to his cereals.
• Give foods that are known to soften stools like pears, peaches, apricots and peas. But before doing this, ask your pediatrician if your baby is ready for these kinds of foods.
• Always encourage and offer your baby water to drink. This will prevent dehydration as well as soften the stools.
• Massage baby’s tummy gently in a clockwise direction that starts from his navel and moving outwards.
• “Cycle” baby’s legs as this exerts gentle pressure on his intestines by moving the muscles in his tummy. Lie your baby on his back, hold his legs and turn them gently but quickly in a cycling motion.
• If hard stools have caused tears on your baby’s anus, bring him to his doctor immediately.
• Give your baby lots of space to move around as lack of little physical activity can cause constipation.