Babies and Constipation Remedies

One of the most common health problems among children is constipation. Babies and constipation are intertwined because of poor diet, low fluid intake, milk and other illnesses. Most parents panic when their babies become constipated but there is nothing to worry as this health problem can be resolved if you know a few simple methods.  These methods will not only help your baby to get through the bout of constipation, and they will also give your child a mild body cleanse.

Constipation can occur even in new born babies. Those babies who are fed on formula milk are most likely to suffer constipation than those who are breast fed. This is because breast-fed babies have higher level of gastrointestinal hormones that are responsible for stimulating bowel movement. It also makes the stools softer. 

Do not resort to using laxatives unless prescribed by doctors. You should first determine the root cause of the digestive problem before you come up with remedies. Constipation can also be caused by dehydration. This means you have to make sure that your baby gets enough amount of water that he needs. When you feed your baby with formula milk, see to it that you are reading the instructions on how many ounce of water you need.

Once your baby is about six month-old the bowel movements start to become more regular but you still have to monitor the kind of foods he eats. You will notice that the stools start to have unpleasant smell and become harder. Babies who are introduced to solid foods should also drink adequate amount of water so their stools will not be difficult to pass. Your baby experiences discomfort brought about by constipation if he has low fluid intake.

Another way to stimulate your child’s bowel movement is by having them lay on their back while moving their legs in cycling motion. This technique puts pressure on the intestine. You can also massage your baby’s tummy by rubbing a small amount of baby oil in an outward direction.  To put your baby at ease, you can also prepare a warm bath for him. Warm bath has its own way of relieving the tension caused by constipation.  Your baby will also feel comfortable and relaxed if you do this often.

The best way to combat constipation is prevention. Once your child starts to eat solid foods, make sure you introduce foods that are rich in fiber such as fruits and vegetables. These fibrous foods will help your child have regular bowel movement. Fibrous foods should also be coupled with drinking plenty of water or fruit juice.  Babies and constipation can be interrelated especially if you do not watch what your baby eats. This is why it is essential that you let your small children eat the right kind of foods.