When it’s regarding to constipation, it has mostly to do with the food intake. You may often be bothered about the frequent pooping of your child, but there is nothing to worry, it only indicates that your child is getting sufficient food to dispose and that his or her pipes are functioning well. However, it is essential that you closely monitor your baby’s diet as it can lead to food constipation.

What Causes Baby Constipation?

Below are the several possible reasons that cause baby constipation:

• Formula. Breast milk is the best possible source of nutrition for babies. Regular breastfed babies very rarely get constipated as breast milk naturally leads to mild stools. There is a possibility that something in the baby’s formula is causing her constipated; it has nothing to do with the quantity of iron in formula. It is necessary to consult your baby’s doctor for considering any change on the formula brands.
• Introduction of solids. Your baby is slightly constipated during the initial feeding of solid food. The constipation with your baby is normal during this transition phase because rice cereal is low in fiber.
• Dehydration. Your baby happens to be dehydrated when she doesn’t get adequate supply of fluid. This results her system to absorb the waste in her bowels leading to constipation, which is very hard and not easy to pass.
• Illness. It is essential to consult the doctor if your baby is experiencing difficulty in passing stools, particularly hard and painful ones. There can also be a possibility that your baby is constipated with medical condition, such as: botulism, hypothyroidism, some food allergies and metabolic disorders. Also, a very rare condition in newborn, Hirschsprung’s disease can too cause severe problems with passing stool; it hinders the functioning of the gut and results to constipation. This condition is usually detected during the initial weeks from the baby’s birth.

Best Baby Constipation Foods

Here are 6 common types of baby constipation foods that you could try and ease the symptom in your baby.

Foods	Description
Fiber-Rich Foods	Introduction of solid foods to your baby on initial days can often cause constipation, especially for foods such as cooked carrots, rice cereal, cheese and bananas since these foods contain very low fiber. It is recommended to feed your child with foods rich in fiber.
A Changed Formula	There is a possibility that some ingredient in the baby’s formula is causing her constipated. So, changing a formula brand can be considered; it is regarded as an easy solution by many doctors. It is necessary to consult the doctor prior to switching the baby’s formula. Breastfeeding your baby exclusively helps to avoid your baby getting constipated since the breast milk contains an ideal balance of protein and fat.
Fruits	Intake of certain fruits such as pears, grapes, apricots and apples helps in easing your baby’s constipation, and these fruits can be served as purees or chopped.
Vegetables	Nourishing your baby with lots of different types of vegetables can lessen constipation, but you need to ensure that the vegetables skins are pealed since it may contain too much fiber for your baby’s immature tummy.
Water	Adequate supply of fluid to your baby like water ensures that your baby is hydrated, and aids in relieving constipation. You can always offer some water while feeding, but formula milk should not be diluted in case of bottle feeding.
Diluted Fruit Juice	Fruit juice such as prune juice and orange juice diluted with water can alleviate the constipation in your baby, but you need to switch back to water once the constipation is improved.

Other Ways to Treat Baby Constipation

Besides using baby constipation foods, there are other effective ways to relieve baby constipation.

1. Get Your Baby Some Exercise

Exercise is one of the best methods to relieve constipation. You can encourage your baby to crawl for a few laps and try to pump (like pedaling a bicycle while lying on the back) your baby’s legs if she is not crawling yet.

2. Massage Your Baby

Massaging your baby’s tummy can be soothing and may ease constipation. You can apply gentle pressure with your fingertips while massaging, and continue to press placidly for about 3 minutes until you feel firmness. 

3. Consult on Stool Softener

There are many over-the-counter stool softener such as glycerin suppository to stimulate your baby’s rectum, enabling her to pass a stool with ease. You need to consult the baby’s doctor prior to considering a stool softener for your baby.   

4. Apply Lotion to Anus Area

When your baby is passing dry and hard stools, there is a possibility of your baby tearing the skin near the anus area, which looks like a little blood or anal fissures. You can apply aloe vera lotion to the wound area, which may heal the pain to some extent. But you need to consult a doctor first.

Want to learn what to do when baby is constipated from an experienced mom? Check this video out: