This post contains affiliate links.
Hello! My name is Jennifer. I am a proud mom to one beautiful little boy and am dedicated to helping women like you live your best mom life!
I find solutions for YOU and share them everyday here on this blog… (like this super helpful 30 minute newborn care class all of my mamas are loving)
Today I am going to talk to you about how to relieve your baby’s constipation naturally. All baby’s go through it some point in their little lives, let’s learn how to get through it together!
How can you tell if your baby is constipated?
Just like other medical conditions, the earlier you detect constipation, the better.
Unfortunately, your baby is not yet able to talk.
The only way your baby can communicate with you is by laughing and crying.
A continuous cry can mean your baby’s wellbeing isn’t okay.
It might mean your little angel is struggling with constipation.
Here are some of the signs of constipation in babies:
- Infrequent bowel movements
- Blood in the stool
- Hard, dry stool
- Difficulty passing stool
- Firm belly
- Spitting up more often than usual.
Why is your baby constipated?
Diet is the primary cause of constipation in babies. Lack of enough fiber in your baby’s diet increases the risk of constipation.
Other factors that increase the risk of constipation in babies include:
- Switching from breastmilk to formula and solids.
- Not drinking enough liquids.
- Ignoring the urge.
- Travelling and stressful events.
- Medical condition or illness.
- Medication.
Prolonged constipation in babies increases the risk of further complications.
Your baby has a delicate system.
To prevent further complications, here are some remedies to provide your baby constipation relief:
- Change your diet
Constipation is rare in breastfed babies, but it can still happen. But if you are breastfeeding your baby, you should consider changing your diet.
Babies are sensitive to what their mothers are eating. Adding fiber-rich foods in your diet might help relieve your baby’s constipation.
Here is an article I wrote on what to eat with a colic baby while breastfeeding, which can help with constipation as well.
- Switch formulas
If your baby is bottle-fed, you should consider switching to another brand like this one. Formula based on soy or whey might be irritating your baby’s digestive system.
Switching formulas to a brand whose proteins are partially hydrolyzed to make them easier for your baby’s delicate digestive system to digest.
- Give your baby a warm bath
A warm bath soothes everyone. It makes babies relax and allows their bodies to release what they are holding.
Messaging their tummy when drying them off helps them relax and ease constipation related bloating and gas.
- Bicycle legs
Exercise helps stimulate bowel movements. Your baby is too small to exercise. It is up to you to help them exercise to stimulate their digestive tract.
Lay your baby on their back and start moving their legs in circular motions that mimic pedaling a bicycle. Bicycle legs movement will release abdominal pressure and get things going.
- Give your baby gripe water
Gripe water is a mixture of water, herbs, and baking soda. Many parents use it to soothe colic. Use homeopathic gripe water if the baby is old enough.
You should consult your baby’s doctor before giving your baby gripe water if he or she is less than six months old. Your baby’s pediatricians will let you know whether it is safe or not.
- Rectal stimulation
Place your baby’s bottom on warm water to relax the sphincter muscles of the rectum and let the bowel movement release.
Your baby’s pediatrician may tell you to use rectal stimulation with a thermometer like this one. In this case, you should insert the tip of a clean thermometer into your baby’s anus and twirl slowly.
Rectal stimulation with a thermometer will make the poop come out within the next 24 hours.
If you found this article helpful please share it with a mom friend who will benefit from it as well.
Don’t forget to look into this brand new online newborn basics class here.
Pin for later:
