How to Cure Baby Constipation

If your baby is having dry, hard stools that are painful to pass, she is likely constipated. Timing alone is not enough to identify a case of infant constipation -- some babies, especially breastfed babies, can go three or more days between bowel movements without any distress. A baby who strains and cries while eliminating, who seems to have a stomachache or abdominal pain, and whose stools are firm and perhaps blood-streaked may be constipated and in need of your help.

Instructions

1

Increase your baby's fluid intake. If you are breastfeeding, nurse more frequently. If your baby is on formula, talk to your pediatrician about adding bottles of water to the feeding schedule.

2

Dilute 1 ounce of prune juice in 1 ounce of water and feed it to a baby over 2 months old once or twice a day. If she refuses the prune juice, try adding it to a bottle of pumped breast milk or formula.

3

Lay your baby on her back and pump her legs. The activity will sometimes loosen things up. If your baby is crawling, encourage her to do a few laps around the room.

4

Remove constipating foods like apples, bananas and iron-fortified baby cereals from your babys diet. Re-introduce them slowly after her system returns to its normal pattern.

5

Increase baby's fiber intake with cereals like oatmeal and barley. Foods like apricots, peaches, peas, beans, pears and prunes are all good foods to loosen things up. Try stirring the pureed fruit or vegetable into the baby's oatmeal or barley cereal if she refuses to eat it straight.

6

Consider switching formulas if your baby drinks it. Ingredients in formula such as iron can cause constipation in some babies. Others are sensitive to soy proteins or cows milk proteins present in formula. Talk to your babys pediatrician for advice before making a change.

7

Add 1 teaspoon of light corn syrup to your baby's bottle. The syrup can help loosen and lubricate the hard stool.

8

Ask your pediatrician about over-the-counter remedies that are safe for your baby. A stool softener may help. Use it only as a last resort, however, so that the babys digestive system does not become dependent on the product.