How to help a constipated baby
To better understand serious signs and symptoms, consult the entry on this topic: The symptoms of a real constipation problem in a newborn.
Updated article on March 15, 2021
How do you help a constipated baby? In this entry, I will provide you tips for breast and bottle fed babies.
For breastfed babies (even if infrequently)
- For babies under 6 months, ensure that the baby drinks enough and that their growth curves are normal (for weight and height).
- Breastfeed more. No need to give water to a baby under 6 months. The milk contains enough water.
- The mother can increase their consumption of dietary fibres.
- The mother can decrease their consumption of dairy products.
- Massage the baby’s stomach clockwise in order to help them pass gas and stool. You then massage the intestine from one end to the exit. The massage helps intestinal transit.
- If the baby is eating, increase fibres (ex. whole grains, vegetables, fruits, juice or prune purée).
- Add drops of the probiotic of the Reuteri strain to the consumption of milk and solids according to the baby’s age.
- If the baby is older, avoid excess cow’s milk (over 9 months).
- As needed, if very little improvement: Lax-a-day, lactulose or other as recommended by the doctor (mineral oil is contraindicated before the age of one year).
A bottle fed baby
- For babies under 6 months, ensure that the baby drinks enough and that their growth curves are normal (for weight and height).
- First, consult with your health professional to check if the milk formula used is right for your baby and change it for one that is easier to digest if necessary.
- Respect the manufacturer’s recipe when preparing it to add the proper amount of water to the mix (avoid errors or misunderstandings).
- Normally, commercial milk formulas for newborns contain enough water in the mix. This is why you can give water to your baby after 6 months. If you give them water before, never before 3 weeks to avoid choking them and water should be boiled up to 4 months.
- If the baby is eating, increase fibres (ex. Whole grains, vegetables, fruits, juice or prune purée).
- Add drops of the probiotic of the Reuteri strain to the consumption of milk and solids according to the baby’s age.
- If the baby is older, avoid excess cow’s milk (over 9 months).
- As needed, if very little improvement: Lax-a-day, lactulose or other as recommended by the doctor (mineral oil is contraindicated before the age of one year).
Avoid…
- Entering a thermometer in the anus to “stimulate” the baby to pass their stool. If you do this, you are not helping your baby understand how to push themselves and you create a dependency. They will wait to be stimulated to pass their stool. Also, a baby moves a lot and doing this could injure them.
- Using glycerin suppositories or laxatives without having consulted a doctor or pharmacist.
When should I consult for a constipated baby?
- They cry constantly, and they have not passed stool for several days despite making efforts.
- There is blood in the stool.
- The stool is small hard balls.
- The baby’s weight is not increasing sufficiently (unsatisfactory growth curves).
Since constipation is something concerned parents ask a lot of questions about, I hope this entry has helped you better recognise true constipation and to act early on to prevent associated complications.
Talk soon,
Marie
The Baby Expert
Votre compte
Sign inWARNING
Mariefortier.com and the information found on the website are practical tools for future parents preparing for the arrival of their baby.
The contents of the website do not in any way replace the skills, knowledge and experience of qualified health professionals. They know the facts, circumstances and symptoms associated with each individual. As such, the company Marie Fortier Inc. and the people who work for the company cannot be held liable for adverse effects or consequences stemming from the use of the information found on the website. It’s the user’s responsibility to consult with a doctor or other qualified health professional for personal questions.