How to Treat Infant Constipation
When your baby is constipated, you want to remedy the situation as quickly as possible. Infant constipation may result in abdominal pain, gassiness and fussiness. Most infant constipation is temporary and with a little help, your baby will be back on track in no time. However, MayoClinic.com advises that infant constipation in a newborn should be reported to the doctor. In addition, an older infant with an accompanying fever or vomiting should see the doctor.
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Things You'll Need
- Water
- Unsweetened fruit juice
- Karo syrup
- Lubricant
- Fiber-rich baby foods
- Suppositories
Instructions
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Increase your infant's fluid intake. If you're breastfeeding, try giving your baby a water bottle between feedings to keep him hydrated. Diluted unsweetened juices are an option if your baby is used to drinking them.
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Add a few drops of corn syrup to your infant's water bottle if he is already eating foods. Corn syrup draws moisture into the stool, softening it and making it easier to pass. Do not use corn syrup for infant constipation in babies under nine months of age or if your baby has any known allergies.
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Skip the baby food that contains meat or poultry and switch to pears, peas, apricots or beans to add fiber to your infant's diet. Dietary fiber retains moisture in the stool, keeping it soft and relieving infant constipation.
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Dab a bit of water-based lubricating gel on your infant's anus to make the passage of hard stools easier. A hard stool may scratch the tender skin of the anus, making bowel movements painful.
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Ask your pediatrician or local pharmacist about glycerin suppositories to treat infant constipation. These small gel capsules are inserted into the infant's anus where they dissolve and lubricate hardened stool, encouraging it to pass.
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Tips & Warnings
Place a warm washcloth on your infant's abdomen to ease cramping from constipation, if desired.
If your infant does not have a bowel movement in three days, despite consuming extra water, call your pediatrician for advice. While many babies go for more than three days without a bowel movement, it pays to be on the safe side when dealing with infant constipation.
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