Top 10 Effective Home Remedies For Constipation In Infants

By- Hang Pham

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When the bowel movements of an infant are less regular than normal, he or she may suffer from constipation. In addition, there are also other signs such as straining more than normal to pass stool, a firm tummy, refusing to eat due to discomfort, and even blood in the stool. This problem can result from the consumption of new solid food, dehydration, and lack of activity. If your kid suffers from constipation frequently, you should consult a pediatrician. However, you can also try using some natural home remedies below to aid in dealing with mild constipation.

1. Prune Juice

Both prunes and prune juice are high in fiber, which will assist in bulking up stool content and promoting its passage easily through your kid’s digestive tract. Moreover, they are also good sources of sorbitol that is a great colonic stimulant and helps to create and release the bowel movements.

Directions:

• Firstly, combine water and prune juice at the ratio of 3:1 in a clean bottle.
• Then, mix them together.
• After that, give this bottle to your baby.
• Finally, you just need to wait for this juice to do its work!

2.Add High-Fiber Foods

As you know, fiber helps to make the stools softer by drawing liquid into them, which makes them bulkier & easier to pass. In case your kid has started consuming solid foods, try to add some fiber-rich foods in their diet.
Directions:
• Simply, add some high-fiber foods, like broccoli, peaches, pears, skinless apples, or peas, to your kid’s diet. You can even feed these boiled or pureed.
• Or, you can also try baby cereals that have bran or barley.
• Another option, you may give your kid an adequate amount of cooked grains such as barley, quinoa, or oats.
• Moreover, breastfeeding mothers need to add more fiber-rich foods to their daily diet.

3. Exercise

Using certain exercises is also one of other home remedies for constipation in infants. They help to improve the digestive tract and regulate the bowel movements, thus treating constipation easily. In fact, active babies will suffer less from constipation, stomach pain, and gas.
Directions:
• Keep your baby on his or her back. Then, hold his or her legs in a half of bent posture. Now, gently move his or her legs in a way, as if he or she is pedaling a bicycle. You should do this process at a steady pace. This exercise is a fun for your baby and helps to loosen up the intestines.
• Another exercise, carry your kid around in a squat posture. Then, elevate his or her legs in a way as if he or she is squatting on the forearm like a frog or bunny. It will exert pressure on the rectum of your baby and help your baby to defecate.

4. Massage His Or Her Tummy

This is considered as another great remedy for constipation in infants. Gently massaging your baby’s stomach and lower abdomen will stimulate bowel movements. In addition, they can also aid in relieving colic pain and gas in infants. Moreover, a gentle massage also helps to give your baby a sound sleep.
Directions:
• Firstly, put your kid in a lying position.
• Then, put a little of warmed coconut or olive oil on his or her stomach.
• Working your index fingers widths away from his or her navel, gently massage your baby’s stomach clockwise for 3 to 5 minutes.
• You should massage this area for a few times during the day till your baby has a bowel movement.
5. Warm Bath
Giving your baby a warm bath is also a good way to treat constipation. Warm water aids in relaxing all the muscles of the body, especially the tensed rectal muscles caused by the pain of constipation.
Directions:
• For better results, you should add 2 to 3 teaspoons of baking soda to the bathwater. This can help to make the child feel easy to have a bowel movement.
6. Increase Fluid Intake

Keeping the body hydrated is essential for frequent bowel movements. For infants, the great options are water and milk that keep them hydrated as well as help the function of their digestive tract smoothly. This will help to prevent gas and constipation and have regular bowel movements.
Directions:
• Simply, give your kid water to drink regularly. To improve digestion, you should give your baby warm water.
• Apart from water, you can also breastfeed your kid or give her or him milk.
7. Sugar Solution
Some experts recommend using brown sugar to cure constipation in infants. It helps to make the stool softer, so your kid can have a bowel movement fast and regularly.
Directions:
• Firstly, mix half a teaspoon of brown sugar in one ounce of clean water.
• Then, stir them thoroughly until the brown sugar dissolves completely.
• Now, give your baby this solution for 3 times per day before feeding her or him formula food.
8. Probiotics
Some infants who suffer from constipation can benefit from probiotics. This is a great dose of live bacteria that is similar to bacteria present in the gut naturally.
According to a study in the journal of JAMA Pediatrics in 2014, Using lactobacillus reuteri prophylactically during the first three months of life reduce the appearance of functional gastrointestinal disorders, including constipation, Gastroesophageal reflux, and colic.
Directions:
• Simply, give your child probiotics by feeding her or him a little yogurt with live cultures.
• Or, you can also buy a probiotic supplement that is suitable for infants after consulting your pediatrician.
9. Lubrication To Anus
You can take a water-based lubricant and then apply it to the anus of your baby. It will aid in lubricating the excretory passage, thereby reducing the discomfort.
Another option, when changing your baby’s diaper, rub around the anus and gently wipe it off. It will encourage her or him poop.
10. Fennel Seeds
Using fennel seeds is also beneficial in treating constipation in infants. They help to encourage a smooth movement in your baby’s digestive tract, which leads to healthy digestion and frequent bowel movements. Fennel seeds also aid in preventing gas.
Directions:
• At first, add crush 1 teaspoon of fennel seeds and then add it to 2 cups of clean water.
• Then, boil it and let it simmer for about 15 minutes.
• After that, strain the liquid and allow it to get cool.
• Now, give 1/2 or 1 teaspoon of this water to your baby for a few times per day.
• Moreover, breastfeeding mothers can also drink fennel tea for 2 or 3 times per day.
I have recently given you a few of effective home remedies for constipation in infants and hope that you will expect my next articles related to other health issues!
Guest Post by Hang Pham
Author Bio:
This guest post is by Hang Pham, a blogger with over 10 years of experience on searching the best solutions for health and beauty problems.