Baby Constipation
Baby constipation, medically, is used to mean straining of the baby to complete a bowel movement, though parents also have used it to describe infrequent stools. If you have a breast-feeding baby, hopefully this is not a concern for you as most breast-milk is digested and the baby stools are very soft. Formula fed babies, or babies that are starting their first solid foods, can be more prone to either constipation or gas.
It is really sad when your loved little baby is straining to have a stool. Rubbing their tummy, or giving them a warm bath may help in the short term. Aside from this, take a look at their diet. Fortunately, you are not alone and the collective wisdom of mothers has given us knowledge about things that can prevent or lessen the occurrence of constipation in infants.
Foods that can case baby constipation are applesauce, starches like cereals and dairy products.
You can try these natural remedies for baby constipation:
- feeding your baby avocados, (ripe and finely mashed)
- putting ghee in either breastmilk or formula (this is a traditional Pakistani remedy)
- switching from rice cereal to Oatmeal
- using karo syrup. My pediatrician didn’t recommend this because of potential for bacteria, though I have seen this as a common recommendation.
- giving your baby prune juice. This is what was recommended, although good luck getting your baby to drink this, even when diluted!
Post some comments for some more good tips. Thanks.