How to Cope With a Baby's Constipation

If your baby hasn't had a bowel movement in 48 hours, it's likely he has constipation. And if your baby's stools are hard and dry, it is a sign he is dehydrated. In general, infants pass about three stools a day. Breastfed infants have more bowel movements than do formula-fed babies. Treat your child's constipation as soon as you notice the symptoms, to avoid serious complications.

Instructions

1. If your child is 1 year old and has recently started cow's milk, switch back to formula, or continue breast milk. Cow milk tends to cause constipation. It should be noted that babies less than 1 year old are in general unready to digest cow milk.

2. If your breastfeed your baby and she becomes constipated, something other than diet may be triggering the problem, since constipation rarely occurs in breastfed babies. Check your baby's temperature and look for any sign of illness.

3. If your child has already started solid food, add high-fiber food to his diet, like spinach, broccoli, beans and whole-grain cereal.

4. Keep your baby hydrated. This will help soften the stools. Get her to drink prune juice, apple juice and/or apricot juice. The fiber and chemical content in these juice is a natural laxative.

5. Apply water-based lubricant to your child's anus to help move hard stools. Massage her belly. Gently apply your fingertips to a location about 1.5 inches below her navel. Keep pressing gently until you feel a mass, then hold there for 3 minutes.

6. If constipation persists for a long time, ask your pediatrician for a mild laxative.

Resources

• Baby's Constipation