You’re a mom if one of your everyday worries is poo – your baby’s poo to be exact. It is normal for babies to go a few days without pooping, especially if he’s exclusively breastfed. However, we can also help him get his poo moving. Here are a few home remedies moms can try:
Bicycle kicks
Just like in adults, exercise can help stimulate a baby’s bowel movements. And if your baby is not crawling or walking yet, you can help him by gently moving his legs to mimic the motion of riding a bicycle while he’s lying on his back.
Warm baths
Giving your baby a warm bath can help relax his abdominal muscles and help stop his straining. It can also help relieve some of his discomfort related to constipation.
Change in diet
You can also try to change your baby’s diet if you think that he’s constipated, but this will also depend on your baby’s age and diet.
For younger, still breastfed babies, the moms will have to be careful of their food intake and consider eliminating certain foods from their diet, such as dairy. You might have to try eliminating other foods as well such as chocolate, caffeine, or even certain fruits and vegetables. It might be a hit or miss and there’s no guarantee that it will resolve your baby’s constipation.
On the other hand, parents might consider switching to a different brand for formula-fed babies. Try to consult your pediatrician for brands to try.
If your child is already consuming solid food, then you might consider giving foods with high fiber content. Some foods that might help with constipation include:
- Skinless apples
- Broccoli
- Whole grains such as oatmeal, rice, or pasta
- Peaches
- Pears
- Certain types of bananas
Hydrate
White extra water is not recommended for young babies, constipated older babies might benefit from a small amount of liquid intake.
Massage
Massaging your baby is another way to relieve his constipation. You can try the following:
- Use your fingertips to make circular motions on your baby’s stomach in a clockwise pattern.
- Walk your fingers around your baby’s navel in a clockwise direction.
- Hold your baby’s knees and feet together and gently push his feet toward his belly.
- Stroke his rib cage down past his belly button using the edge of your finger.
It might be best to consult your pediatrician if your baby seems to be constipated most of the time, is fussy or has other symptoms such as a distended tummy.
Reference: Medical News Today