subject: Baby Constipation Remedies [print this page] Constipation is not only a problem for adults, but many babies experience it too. Similar to adults, baby constipation is mostly due to inappropriate diet and fluid intake. Some simple home constipation remedies can be tried to relieve the baby of this problem. Some foods which are commonly behind the constipation of your baby are, rice cereals, cooked carrots, pasta, white bread and cheese.
A baby's digestive system requires additional time to become accustomed to solid foods during the first few weeks of this diet change. It is common for the baby's stool to show changes in the beginning of the shift from liquids to solids. Changes in color and consistency are normal and the baby might strain while passing stool. These signs are not alarming in themselves and do not signal constipation if the stool is still soft. However, if the stool is in the form of dry and hard balls, then you can be sure that there is a constipation problem. This is mostly due to the change from six months of milk feeding and the recent change to solid food. Additionally, the hardness of the stool will cause tears in the skin around the baby's anus and make it unwilling to "poo". This further intensifies the problem, as holding in waste material is dangerous.
There are many signs that you should watch out for and the most clear of these is hard and dry stools. Crying due to pain and discomfort combined with baby's refusal to eat are certainly worrying signs. Rashes near the anus will also hint at the extremity of the condition. If you see blood in the stool then you should take your baby to the doctor. In simple cases, most home remedies might suffice.
Start by changing some of the foods that he may be eating. Rice cereals can be substituted with oat or barley cereal to provide more fiber in baby's diet. You can also introduce avocado and sweet potatoes to the bay's palate as his first solid foods. These are easily digestible and not likely to cause constipation. Prune juice is very helpful for this condition and you can mix it in the baby's cereal or offer the juice, diluted with water, every morning.
Another important element in relieving baby of constipation is the use of fruits and vegetables. Pears are the most beneficial in this regard and should be pureed before feeding. Other fruits like peaches, apricots and plums can also be fed during this condition.
If you think that your baby's constipation may be due to some medicine he might have been given or some other underlying illness, you should consult the doctor for medical advice. On the other hand, if the constipation is only because of the food he has been eating then home constipation remedies will be enough. You should still ask the doctor before making any major changes to the baby's diet and fluid intake.
