How To Relax And Relieve Your Constipated Baby

Most parents get concerned when taking care of a constipated baby. Irritability, change in stools, no stools, and appetite loss are among the signs of this problem. But baby constipation is easier to diagnose than it is to treat. Parents mustn’t lose hope or get frustrated when facing this situation. Read on for some ideas on how to relieve constipation in babies quickly.

6 Ways to Naturally Soothe Your Constipated Baby

 

1. A Belly Rub Brings Back Belly Laughs

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Your baby’s mood will soon improve after a baby constipation massage. The gentle pressure you place on her abdomen encourages bowel movements. The muscle relief the tummy massage brings also reduces gas pain. If done before nap time, this “belly rub” also soothes her to sleep.

To perform a simple baby constipation massage, lay her gently on her back. Warm some coconut or olive oil in your hands. Put your hand an inch or two below her belly button. Massage her with circular, counterclockwise motions. Continue for at least three minutes, switching hands if you get tired.

You may need to do these massages a few times a day to bring about a change. The good news? The soothing time with your baby is a bonding experience.

2. Treat Her to More Warm Baths

Your baby probably enjoys bath time already. Warm water, along with being soothing, relieves gas pain, and aids digestion. Let her splash in the warm water as long as she likes. Add more warm water as needed to keep the temperature comfortable. After her bath, give your baby a tummy massage just after drying her with a fluffy towel.

3. Keep Those Fluids Coming

Fluids are key to keep things moving in your baby’s digestive tract. If you nurse exclusively, offer a breast to your baby more often. This might also be a good time to introduce a bottle or a cup for older babies. That’s because warm water is helpful for easing baby constipation. Bottle-fed babies can alternate formula milk with warm water.

4. Try a Dab of Relief

A drop or two of castor oil may bring relief to your baby. If you nurse, express a small amount of breastmilk, then mix in the castor oil. Otherwise, mix a drop of castor oil with formula. Put this blend on your baby’s tongue with a clean finger. She may complain — at great volume — about the taste. That’s why a castor oil treatment just before a feeding helps her get over the bad taste more quickly!

5. Encourage More Activity

No, your baby isn’t ready for infant aerobics! But, you can help her move a little bit more than normal, which promotes digestive function. When she’s lying on her back, “bicycle” her legs by moving them in a gentle circular motion. (Of course, this is also a great time to finish up with a tummy massage.)

Has she reached the crawling stage yet? If so, keep the activity going by placing some interesting objects across the room. The increased exercise as she crawls to them may do the trick for helping produce bowel movements. If your older baby has constipation, take his hands and lead him around just after walking. A constipated baby can relieve gas and move things along internally after a gentle walk.

6. Ask About Natural Supplements

Probiotics are a respected method for how to relieve constipation in babies quickly. Just as with adults, probiotics are good for a constipated baby’s digestion.  Their “good” bacteria act as stool softeners and restore proper bacterial balance.

If she is already eating solid foods, give her a small amount of yogurt. Otherwise, probiotic supplements can be added to a bottle. Talk to your pediatrician before introducing anything new to your baby’s diet.

Do you need another helpful natural laxative? Liquid infused with crushed fennel seeds is a good option. Fennel promotes the smooth muscle function of the digestive tract. This action produces bowel movements in a constipated baby. It also reduces gas pain.

To give the fennel seed treatment to a baby, start by crushing the seeds. Make enough for about 1 tablespoon. Add it to 2 cups of water in a pan. Boil, then simmer for 10 minutes. Pour the blend through a fine strainer. Once the mixture has cooled, add a spoonful of the fennel water to formula or plain water a few times a day.

 

Here are more tips for taking care of a constipated baby. Watch the video below:

Having a constipated baby is not a reason to panic. That’s especially true if you are able to ease the problem at home. At least one of these methods shall give you an idea on how to relieve constipation in babies quickly. If the problem persists, be sure to contact your pediatrician.

Did this article help you in taking care of your constipated baby? Share your baby’s relief in the comments section below.

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