National Child Safety Expert, Alison Rhodes, “The Safety Mom,” is one of the country's leading child safety authorities, providing tips and advice to parents on a broad range of issues facing all children - newborns to teens. Read more
Learning to recognize whether or not your baby is constipated is a common challenge for new parents. But
for young children, especially breastfed babies,
constipation is rare. Some babies have several bowel movements
a day while others will go a few days between bowel
movements. Knowing your baby's pattern of bowel
movements can help to diagnose possible constipation.
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Though stools vary in color, if your baby seems to be passing
hard, painful stools, small pebble-like stools or if you notice a streak of
blood in the stool, he or she is more than likely
constipated. Don't be alarmed if there is a tinge of blood
in the stool, this is caused from straining the rectum,
causing a small tear (also called an anal fissure). You
should however, always mention blood in your baby's stool
to your pediatrician, just to rule out any other serious health
problems.
So what causes such discomfort for our children? There are
a number of factors that contribute to a child becoming
constipated. The most common is a diet high in milk products
and low in fiber. Your baby's stool is stored in the large
intestines and colon. The intestines and colon break down
waste and absorb water, making a bowel movement firm.
Dehydration and dietary changes such as
switching your baby to whole milk or solid food can make
constipation more prevalent.
To relieve constipation in babies younger than four months of age, you could give fruit juice (such as apple, pear, white grape, or prune) diluted
with water. The mixture should be one part juice to two parts
water. Give a call to your pediatrician and ask what they
recommend to relieve constipation. A warm bath can also be
a very relaxing and soothing experience for a baby with
abdominal cramping.
If your baby is eating solid food, adding foods higher in
fiber like apricots, peas, raisins, beans, spinach, prunes
or whole grain cereals can help to relieve constipation. Your doctor may also recommend changing to a soy baby formula if they feel regular
formula is the problem. If changes in your baby's diet don't
appear to bring relief for your baby, call your pediatrician.
The doctor may advise using glycerin suppositories or a
stool softener, but these should only be used with your
pediatrician's approval.
Comment on this page...
Tryness on 11/20/2009 3:36:57 AM
My baby is five month old but she drinks 175 ml of milk per day and takes 6 scoops of cererak. Is it not too much for the baby of that age? Please advice
newbaby on 11/9/2009 1:24:58 PM
I have a 3 month old baby my first and i breastfeed and use the formula. When he did not make a movement one day i was told to give him a teaspoon of karo in his formula and it ran everything out of his system and diaper too!!
rosa on 11/9/2009 10:56:05 AM
hey may baby is one month and 15 days and he is having constipation I don't now what to do...
Shreyashi on 10/7/2009 10:41:57 PM
Hello,
My baby is Caesarean and 5 months old. As I am media professional so we get very less time with my baby. My breast feed is not sufficient for her as she cries after some time of my feed so we started bottlefeed her after 1 month.
Since she was 20 days she has been this constipation problem. she use to do her motion after 4 or 5 days. I refer to a pediatrician she refered some stomach medicine and glycerine. we tried medicine not glycerien but it didnt work. I tried her giving honey also. Now she is 5 months old still she has this problem. Sometimes she cries during her motion bcoz of her hard stool but no blood flows. I changed my babys peditrician. He told me not to give any fruit juice and water to baby. Very often she cries for her stomachache. she has gas problem also. Her stool colour is almost like black. Every moth we go for her regular check and vaccination. Her last month weight is 6.315 kg and Height is 6.5 cm.
Hoping favorable response from u.
Tara on 9/29/2009 9:50:53 PM
I breast feed, and unfortually my baby goes a week or two without having a bowel movement. I tried everything. Every old trick in the book. The only thing that helps and was safe is the one teaspoon of Karo and three oz of warm baby water. The hardest thing was to get him to take the bottle. About an hour later I had to give him another bath. it worked very good for my son.
evelyn on 9/29/2009 3:48:26 AM
how can honey make a child sick when its food? my doctor advised me to give my kid half a tea spoon a day i did it an he never fell sick. does it mean that soon he will fall sick because of this?
Zainab Isah on 9/25/2009 7:32:20 AM
i never know that honey is bad for little babies i was told that its good cos it will make them sharp but now i know better. thanks for this shared tips its helps a great deal.
Zainab Isah on 9/25/2009 7:32:09 AM
i never know that honey is bad for little babies i was told that its good cos it will make them sharp but now i know better. thanks for this shared tips its helps a graet deal.
Caroline on 9/20/2009 2:20:26 PM
My daughter was breast fed for her first six months but often went numbers of days without a bowel movement. I used baby massage techniques (cycling her legs, clockwise massage on her tummy, etc) to help break up her stools. Teaspoons of boiled water also helped her as well. I have been advised not to give honey before she is at least 12 months old due to the risk of infection (botulism).
amber on 9/6/2009 8:33:09 AM
my baby not gaining weight, she's having 8 kg from 16 months and now she is 19 mons old.. she ussually suffer constipation .. and she don't diet properly.
Kristie on 8/31/2009 6:57:50 AM
You never ever give a baby honey. It contains live botchelism. Even if diluted it is bad for them. It can make them very very sick. I believe the standard is no honey until 18 months old. To relieve constipation you may use the light Karo syrup. One half teaspoon to one teaspoon in a bottle. When I started cereal it constipated my 4 month old and the doctor recommended this. No juice until about 9 months was her suggestion.
belle on 8/27/2009 6:33:43 PM
my baby doesnt want to take honey, she doesnt want the smell.
umme laila on 8/25/2009 11:23:41 PM
my baby was having lose motions I gave him banana mixed with yogurt and now he is having constipation. gave him honey didn't effect.
hina waqas abdullah on 8/25/2009 10:28:09 AM
give honey in luke warm water, give a lot of water.food should be given in raisen cooked water, rubb vaseline in the anal area.all this worked on my baby..but pure organic honey is the KEY!!
Zinnia Brummer on 8/23/2009 11:08:00 AM
I am so thankful for these tips - I don't have much family who can tell me what is going on! Thank you, thank you xxx
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