What Can Cause My Baby to Be Constipated
Colour, consistency and frequency are all important symptoms of infant constipation. Keep an eye on them when transitioning to solids and ensure your baby is well hydrated to avoid trouble in the nappy department.
Constipation in babies is quite common, so don't worry. Find out the most common symptoms to look out for, how to preclude baby constipation, and the natural constipation remedies that can help relieve your infant's discomfort.
Is my baby constipated?
What are normal bowel movements for babies?
Does bottle feeding cause babe constipation?
What causes baby constipation?
How to salve baby constipation rapidly
Baby massage for constipation
Acupressure or reflexology for baby constipation
Is my baby constipated?
Your baby is constipated if they have a difficult abdomen and they haven't done a poo for longer than what's normal for them. The poo might exist hard and painful for your babe to pass when information technology does come out, there could be blood in their stools, and they may besides lose their appetite. Generally, your baby volition not be very happy and they may well weep or strain when trying to become to the toilet.
Wondering if your infant is constipated if passing gas? Not necessarily. Babies can pass current of air quite ofttimes, so passing gas might therefore just be part of their usual bowel movements. Look for any of the other symptoms mentioned in a higher place as well as the gas to see if they are really constipated. If you're concerned your infant isn't putting gaining weight correctly, take a look at the average weight for babies aged 0 to 12 months.
Constipation can go dangerous for your baby if left untreated for a long time. If your baby is constipated and isn't gaining weight or shows any other unusual symptoms so visit your GP or telephone call 111.
What are normal bowel movements for babies?
The frequency of bowel movements can vary hugely between one baby and some other, so consequently, the parameters of what's considered 'normal' are quite wide. This makes it confusing for parents trying to work out whether their infant is 'overdue' a dirty nappy or not. Some babies will produce several dirty nappies in a unmarried day, others may just do 1 or ii a week. Merely because a baby hasn't had a bowel motility for several days doesn't mean he or she is constipated as long as the poo, when information technology does come, remains soft.
Does bottle feeding cause baby constipation?
2AH4A92 Mother canteen-feeding baby male child on a park bench
All babies can get constipated, but exclusively breastfed babies are less likely to suffer from constipation. As a general rule breastfed babies do poos that are loose, squirty, and don't smell as well unpleasant. 1 of the reasons for this is that when breastfeeding your milk contains a hormone called motilin which aids bowel movements.
Bottle-fed babies can exist more likely to get constipated. Formula milk tin be harder for babies to digest and their stools tend to be firmer, darker and smellier. It'south piece of cake to not add together plenty h2o to formula milk, which can later on lead to dehydration and constipation.
What causes babe constipation?
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There are iv primary causes of constipation in babies:
- Incorrect formula mix
- Introducing solids
- Modify of milk
- Aridity
i. Incorrect formula mix: Always make upwardly bottles with the right amount of formula powder to avert infant constipation. If it says level spoonfuls, and then ensure yous level them off. If the pulverization-to-water ratio is incorrect then your babe could become constipated.
two. Introducing solids: Solid food is a big adjustment for tiny tummies that have been used to an hands digestible liquid diet. Some foods such as root vegetables and bananas can have longer to digest and therefore cause constipation. Innovate new tastes slowly and one at a time so that you tin place which, if any, causes constipation in your babe. Effort our ultimate baby weaning guide to get it correct first time.
Heidi Skudder, from The Parent & Baby Bus, advises that "Constipation is really normal when weaning first starts – however it should laissez passer. Offer your baby water with each meal, and add h2o or milk to their foods to increment their overall fluid intake. If constipation becomes an issue, it could be that there are some foods that baby is finding hard to digest. You may want to simplify their nutrition until they become regular again and and then add in foods a 2nd time, but a little more slowly."
three. Change of milk: Your infant might be constipated after changing from breastfeeding to mixed- or bottle-feeding, as their digestion gets accustomed to the new diet. Try to stagger any changes to milk, rather than making them of a sudden, to avert constipation and distress.
4. Dehydration: Babies tin can become dehydrated in the heat or if they are not getting enough fluids. Dr Gerlis of SameDayDoctor says: 'Aridity is the most common cause of constipation in babies. If in dubiousness you can add a water drinkable every bit an extra to their diet.' Always add plenty water to your formula milk, and if they are eating solids, then offer your infant a little water with the food to help digestion.
How to salvage baby constipation apace
Credit: Getty
Natural remedies are a swell way to relieve your baby's constipation, so you don't necessarily take to visit the doc:
ane. Extra water: If yous're making upwards a canteen, "add about 1 ounce of actress water to every feed so the baby is always getting extra fluid," says Dr Gerlis. "For hot summer days this is especially of import."
2. A warm bathroom: A warm bathroom may aid relax your baby and ease constipation. Follow the bath with movement and massage suggested below whilst your baby is on the irresolute mat, and that might also practise the trick. Just make sure y'all have a nappy or muslin handy!
three. Change of diet: If your infant has already been weaned then eating pureed apricots, peaches, pear, plums or prunes might relieve constipation. Effort this easy recipe for huckleberry puree to get started. Likewise you could requite them a small amount of apple tree or prune juice diluted 50 percentage with water if they are over iii months.
Baby massage for constipation
Baby massage is another quick way to help ease constipation in babies. Effort gently massaging your baby's tummy in a round move only below the navel with babe-friendly massage oil. Follow this video from skilful Corinna Nicol, founder of The Mummy Circumvolve early parenting customs, to come across how massage can salvage constipation.
Corinna Nicol advises that "Constipation is common in babies because they have an immature digestive system. Tummy massage and leg yoga can alleviate the discomfort of constipation.
"Massage in a clockwise movement around the belly, removing or rolling the nappy down slightly to access the abdomen. Always massage the stomach in a clockwise direction every bit you are following the path of digestion, from the large intestine into the bowel. Use an organic cold-pressed, vegetable-based oil and so your hands glide over baby's tummy. You lot don't need to printing difficult, but use the same pressure level you would utilize when soaping your lilliputian i in the bathroom. Sing your baby a vocal while y'all are massaging to keep them entertained.
"Leg yoga includes moves such as bicycling babe's legs in a steady rhythm. Bring the knees upwards to the tummy and stretch the legs back out, and have baby'due south toes towards their nose. All these techniques help to stimulate baby'due south digestive system, and tin be really powerful forth with tummy massage in helping your baby poo."
Acupressure or reflexology for baby constipation
Follow this popular video to learn well-nigh the fundamental acupressure and reflexology points to relieve your baby's discomfort and to go their bowels moving. The massage is easy to do at abode and it'southward particularly effective on constipation after giving your little ane a relaxing, warm bathroom:
Source: https://www.goodto.com/family/babies/baby-constipation-111520
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