How to Treat Constipation in Babies Naturally - By: Anna Lopez

The main cause of constipation in babies is the introduction of solid food and undigested food. This happens because their stomachs are used to processing the highly digestible mother’s milk. Giving babies foods that are low in fiber, that have excessive dairy products and foods like bananas, applesauce, cereals, breads, etc. can contribute to constipation in a baby. Changing a baby’s diet can help in relieving the problem.

There are a few simple natural constipation remedies to help your baby get relief from constipation:

Warm Bath: Doctors believe that warm baths can help sooth a baby’s stomach and can help in proper bowel movements once again. It will also help relax the baby. After the bath, you can gently massage the tummy as you dry your baby.

Gentle Exercise: You can try out the “bicycle legs” exercise. Place your baby on his or her back and lightly hold the legs in a half bent position. Gently move the legs in a way they would if your baby were riding a bicycle. This exercise is also known to help baby who are “gassy”.

Tummy Massage: Gentle massages can help a baby get relief from constipation. Rub your baby’s tummy in a clockwise direction in a circular motion, moving your hands away from the center.

To relieve constipation in babies who are less than 4 months old, you can try giving 1 to 2 ounces of diluted fruit juice. Juices like apple juice, prune juice or apple-prune juice given twice a day can be quite helpful. You can also try the exercise mentioned above. Before you give your baby any new foods like the juices, it is advisable to consult your pediatrician first.

Importance of fiber in baby's Diet

Adding more fiber to a baby’s diet can help in relieving constipation. You can try strained foods like apricots, pears, prunes, spinach, peas, plums and peaches. For older babies who are starting on solid foods, it is better to avoid foods like rice cereal, apple sauce and bananas as they aggravate constipation. Apart from the foods mentioned above, barley or oatmeal cereals and most vegetables are preferred when babies have constipation.
There are other natural constipation remedies and you can consult your pediatrician to help you find out which one is best suited for your baby.

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