PAK Pediatrics has created this guide for managing a constipated baby. We are always available to families who need to bring their baby in for a sick visit, but we hope this information helps you the next time your baby can’t go properly. Check out our guide to helping a constipated baby.
What Makes Infants Constipated?
As many new parents understand quickly, babies are not often constipated. At the same time, it isn’t uncommon for babies to go a few days without a bowel movement. Some babies can go up to five days without stooling and still be okay.
You might also notice your baby straining to pass a bowel movement and think they are constipated, but straining is not necessarily a sign of constipation. The truth is that babies pass bowel movements at different rates, and no “normal” exists. Babies do not have proper coordination between abdominal muscles and have poor sphincter control. Until they get the motions right, they may struggle a bit. This is okay and normal.
However, your baby may need to be seen by a doctor if they exhibit any of the following warning signs:
Shows a loss of appetite
Going a week or more without a bowel movement
Producing small, hard bowel movements
Passing bowel movements with obvious pain or difficulty
Has blood in the stool
Suggestions From the Doctors
You should contact your doctor for medical advice if you suspect your baby is constipated. At that point, doctors may suggest any of the following activities or dietary restrictions.
Exercising and Movement Activities
No, we don’t mean “jazzercise.” We know that movement stimulates our intestines to move. Since babies can’t move very much, they are more likely to have slow-moving intestines. We can help our children by gently moving the baby’s legs in a bicycle kick fashion to move the bowels around and help the baby to have a bowel movement.
Drinking Fruit Juice
The fruit juice suggestion is typically only for babies older than two months and if recommended by your doctor. Fruit juice may help a baby to pass stools because it contains sugar, which babies have a more challenging time digesting. This will help bring water into the intestines, softening the stool. Ask your doctor before trying this method, as too much juice or sugar can be harmful.
Eating Foods Rich in Fiber
Like the fruit juice idea, fibrous foods such as fruits and vegetables also pull water into the intestines. This can be done only when the baby is developmentally ready for food. Always talk to your pediatrician before making radical dietary changes for your baby. You can ask this on any well-child visit, or you can make a special call if your baby’s constipation seems to be a more urgent problem.
Peaches, pears, plums, and applesauce may help relieve constipation in your baby because of the fiber they contain. Fiber helps to move the bowels around and could be the trick you need to help your baby’s constipation.
Massaging the Stomach
Just as fiber and fruit juice might work to loosen up the baby’s bowels, so can a stomach massage. Parents can make circular motions on the baby’s stomach with their fingers, massage near the belly button, or run fingers down the length of the baby’s torso. These movements can provide the stimulation your baby needs to have a bowel movement.
Taking a Warm Bath
Warm baths are soothing and relaxing, and the temperature will help the baby relax their muscles, which may allow the bowels to stimulate movement.
Treating Constipation in Babies
When the suggestions above do not seem to help, we recommend seeing your doctor for further treatment options. At PAK Pediatrics, we will confirm the cause of constipation to ensure we are treating your baby correctly at the root of the problem.
Some standard treatment options include:
- Milk of Magnesia
- Mineral oil
- Miralax
- Suppositories and Enemas
