Babies often experience constipation, especially after starting solids. Here I will share how to naturally treat constipation in babies, without using medication.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. If you purchase an Amazon item from the links below, I earn a small commission at no cost to you. Read more about my T&C’s here.
A baby’s digestive system needs time to properly mature and adapt to solid foods. After a baby begins solids, her poo becomes denser, which can cause bowel movements to feel different. Because of this feeling, some babies may even refrain from pooing to avoid this unfamiliar feeling.
However, there are also other things that lead to constipation, like:
- Too many constipating foods (which I will share further).
- Iron-fortified foods.
- A food sensitivity or intolerance.
- Gut bacteria: the amount and diversity of beneficial bacteria in a baby’s gut can influence the rate at which a stool passes through the colon.
- Formula: some formulas are not gentle on baby’s tummies, so they may have a constipating effect.
- Family history of chronic constipation can lead to constipation in your baby.
- Prematurity: babies who are born prematurely are more likely to have constipation than babies born at full term.
- Certain medications (like iron supplements or narcotic pain medication) can cause constipation.
- Sickness (as baby may not be eating or drinking as much as usual)
What I will cover in this post
- Constipating foods to avoid/reduce
- Foods to include more of
- Remedies and medications to avoid
- Natural remedies for constipation
Constipating Foods to Avoid/Reduce
If your baby is prone to constipation, these foods may be constipating (especially if eaten too much of):
BRAT Foods:
- Banana (unripe)
- Rice (white, rice cereal)
- Applesauce and cooked apples (cooking apples change the pectin fibre)
- All white floured foods (e.g. toast)
Pasteurised dairy foods:
- Cheese is especially constipating
- Cow’s milk formula
Iron supplements and iron-fortified foods:
- Iron supplements and iron-fortified foods contain poor quality iron, which contribute to constipation. Foods that contain iron naturally do not pose the same risk.
Foods To Include More Of
‘P’ Fruits:
- Prunes (most effective)
- Plums
- Peaches
- Pears
- Nectarines
- Mango
- Cherries
- Lychee
Healthy Fats:
Healthy fats such as avocado, extra virgin olive oil, coconut oil/cream, nut butters etc, are needed to increase nutrient absorption and avoid constipation.
Think of healthy fats as the lube required for healthy digestion.
Chia seeds: help to draw water into the bowels with their hydrophilic qualities.
Mix 1-2 tablespoons of chia seeds in a liquid (such as breastmilk, coconut milk, water) and let set until seeds are fully absorbed in liquid.
Fennel tea: known to help relax the muscles in the intestines and relieve constipation.
Steep one teaspoon of fennel seeds in one cup of boiling water for 30 minutes or more and then strain. You can offer baby up to 60ml, spread throughout the day to aid digestion.
Remedies and Medications to Avoid
These types of remedies and medications can cause a variation of symptoms:
Laxatives, suppositories, stool softeners, sena, cascara sagrada, karo syrup, gripe water, mineral oil, Miralax, Colace, Peri-colace, Dulcolax or Lactulose.
The symptoms they may present are:
- Bowel dependency
- Over-stimulation of the bowels
- Stomach upset
- Intestinal cramping
- Nausea
- Diarrhoea
- Dehydration
- Gas
- Bloating
- Electrolyte imbalance
- Contribution to nutrient deficiencies
- May not be safe for babies.
If your doctor or healthcare provider advises one of these options for your baby, I would consider other more gentler alternatives first.
Natural Remedies for Constipation in Babies
Prebiotics: prebiotics serve as food for beneficial bacteria in your baby’s gut. Prebiotic-rich foods are: asparagus, oats, dandelion greens, bananas, Jerusalem artichokes, apples, garlic, onion, flaxseed, barley and leek (to name a few).
Ensuring your baby is eating lots of prebiotic rich foods means this will promote a healthy digestive system.
Probiotic-rich foods/supplements: baby specific probiotic powders or liquids with Bifidobacteria and Lactobacillus strains will help your baby’s digestive system. You can also offer your baby probiotic rich foods everyday, like plain yoghurt or kefir (from 10 months), water or coconut kefir, sauerkraut or kimchi. This also exposes your baby to the sour taste of foods that come from fermentation.
You can find a great baby probiotic here.
Baby belly massage/ bicycle legs: belly massaging is relaxing and can help ease constipation by softening the stool and stimulating peristalsis (wave-like muscle contractions that move food through the digestive tract).
Bicycle leg movements encourage digestive movement. They can also help to relieve gas.
How to massage baby’s belly:
- With warm, moist hands, massage baby’s belly in a clockwise motion (pressure should be the same as how you would apply lotion).
- Continue massaging for a few minutes.
How to perform bicycle legs:
- Holding baby’s shins, gently press the legs towards their chest and hold for a few seconds. Extend their legs long again and repeat for several times.
- Pedal their legs.
- Alternate both movements repeatedly.
Magnesium powder:
Magnesium powder can help alleviate constipation, as it relaxes and draws water into the bowels. The water helps soften the stool, to make it pass.
Look for an unflavoured citrate powder and use less that 1/8 of a teaspoon, to be administered while breastfeeding, 9mixed in formula or in food.
You can find a great magnesium powder here. (Make sure to check directions before use).
Rectal stimulation: while this is a controversial method, it is very effective in relieving constipation almost immediately, if done correctly and safely.
You can do this by either using a rectal thermometer, by placing the tip of the thermometer gently up baby’s anus, lightly and gently moving it side to side.
You can find an affordable rectal thermometer here.
Or you can use your pinky finger with a thin, disposable glove. Coconut oil can be used as a lubricant on the gloved finger, which can be inserted up to the first knuckle, moving in a slow, circular motion. When you remove the pinky finger, ensure that baby’s legs are held to his chest.
I do not suggest using a Q-tip (or cotton tip), as the cotton batting can come off.
I also do not suggest using Vaseline, as it contains petroleum.
Of course, if you are concerned, please know that this is not medical advice, but should be considered before using any medications that may pose potential risks.
If you have any questions, feel free to comment below!
Leave a Reply