Your baby is cranky and hasn’t pooped in three days.
What’s going on? Your baby may be constipated!
We can help with these baby constipation remedies, but be sure to have a conversation with your child’s pediatrician.
Common Causes of Baby Constipation
As we mentioned before, the introduction of solids can lead to infrequent bowel movements.
This is especially true for breastfed babies because they are accustomed to drinking the easily digestible breastmilk.
Solid Foods that are low in fiber can stop things up as well - just like they do for us grown-ups.
Excessive Dairy products such as yogurt, cheese, and milk are the biggest offender in our home.
What can I say?
The kids looooovee their yogurt.
Limiting their dairy intake is one of the best baby constipation remedies.
Baby Constipation Remedies - 4 Months
We’re not going to set baby up on the treadmill, but these exercises are great baby constipation remedies!
Bicycle Legs
Those bicycle legs that you do for gas also help constipation!
If you’re unfamiliar with bicycle legs here’s what you can do - Gently move baby’s legs while they are lying on their back and mimic the motion of riding a bike.
Most babies find this pretty entertaining and you can repeat it multiple times to help relieve constipation.
Tummy Massage
One of my favorite of the many baby constipation remedies, this involves gently massaging and rubbing the tummy in a clockwise direction.
Place your hands at baby’s navel and massage in a circular motion, moving your hands out and away from the belly button.
Have some motherlove birth and baby oil on hand for this one!
Tub Time
A warm bath is relaxing.
Some medical professionals recommend a warm bath to help your baby relax and get things moving.
You can follow this with another one of the best baby constipation remedies - a tummy massage or bicycle legs!
If these baby constipation remedies aren’t working for your little one ask your pediatrician if you can offer a little fruit juice.
Grape, prune, and pear juice may be recommended to get things moving again.
Baby Constipation Remedies 4 Months - 12 Months and Up
Have you heard of the BRAT diet?
BRAT stands for banana, applesauce, rice, and toast.
While this is not a baby constipation remedy, it is something you can be aware of.
This diet is typically used for other tummy ailments such as diarrhea.
If your baby has been eating BRAT foods - try cutting them out!
Now that you know which foods are counterproductive as baby constipation remedies we can focus on the ones that can relieve constipation!
Fibrous foods for the win!
Apricots, prunes, peaches, plums, peas, pears, and spinach. Lots of p words and hopefully, lots of poos later!
We have found that prunes are more palatable when mixed with pears.
Keep in mind that prunes are pretty potent. Don’t try this one when you’re not in the comfort of your own home.
Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate.
60% of the human body is water.
If we are dehydrated our body is missing well-itself! The same can be said with our kiddos.
Increase their water intake under the guidance of your health professional.
When none of this works be sure to consult your doctor.
There are laxatives, suppositories, and other baby constipation remedies that can be discussed.
Foods to Avoid that Cause Constipation in Babies
Using all of the baby constipation remedies in the world won't matter if you're making the problem worse with the foods you give your little one.
Everything in moderation, but here are the foods to be mindful of
- Bananas
- Applesauce
- Cereals
- Breads
- Pasta
- White Potatoes
- Yogurt
- Cheese
- Milk
- Other Dairy Products
Conclusion - Popping the Cork - Baby Constipation Remedies
If you read this blog I’m assuming you’re dealing with a stopped-up baby.
First of all- big hugs. This too shall pass. Too soon for bad puns? I’m sorry, truly.
Constipation as an adult is not fun- at all and as a baby? No thanks!
There is one thing we haven’t yet discussed though and that’s The Windi.
FridaBaby Windi is a soft, bendable, single-use catheter with a rounded smooth top.
It’s designed to help relieve babies of their gas safely and naturally.
The Windi was designed to help gas, but we have found that the stimulation can help remedy that baby constipation!
Check our FAQ to learn more about this revolutionary product!
