Constipation in infants is common, however, it can still be a source of concern for parents. Some babies may experience irregular bowel movements or pain and discomfort while pooping.
“My baby Liam was finally six months and I was so excited to start weaning him. We had reached a key milestone. I decided to start with some creamy soft mashed potatoes, which Liam seemed to enjoy, given that he finished a whole bowl. Later in the day, when Liam woke up from his nap, he was irritable and crying uncontrollably. I had changed him and he wasn’t hungry.I was now getting worried. I was just on the verge of tears, when my husband asked, “Should we give him some water?” It suddenly hit me that I had not breastfed Liam before feeding him. My baby was constipated”. Jane Akinyi.
What are some steps we can take to prevent constipation in our little ones?
Massaging the baby’s tummy
There are several ways to massage a baby’s stomach to relieve constipation. These include:
- Using the fingertip to make circular motions on the stomach in a clockwise pattern.
- Try walking your fingers around the navel in a clockwise pattern.
- Holding the baby’s knees and feet together and gently pushing the feet toward the belly.
- Ensure to stroke from the rib cage down past the belly button with the edge of a finger.
Have more fiber in the diet
I realized what I was feeding my baby wasn’t a balanced diet. So I introduced more high-fiber foods, such as fruits, vegetables, beans, and whole-grain cereals, and bread. After all, an apple a day keeps the doctor away. Since I am still a nursing mum, I always ensure to breastfeed him first then feed him the solid food. This ensures proper digestion of the food and minimizes the risk of constipation.
Physical activity
Most of the time, the baby is either sleeping or lying down. Thus, it’s okay to help your baby exercise. Not only to resolve the constipation problem, but also the strengthen their muscles at every stage of their child development. The parent or caregiver can gently move the baby’s legs while they are lying on their back to mimic the motion of riding a bicycle. Doing this may help the bowels function and relieve constipation.
Remind your child to use the toilet or potty.
Some kids get occupied with playing so much that they forget to use the toilet. Set a reminder when your baby should use the potty.
Extra Fluids
Since my baby is over six months, I ensure that I offer him a cup of water between feeds. Sometimes blend some tomato juice or apple juice. These juices help with constipation. However, for mums who are still exclusively breastfeeding their babies, it is recommended that you breastfeed throughout the day.
