How To Resolve Infant Constipation

How To Resolve Infant Constipation

 Infant Constipation

Infants can bring so much joy to a family but they require more care and attention than any other member of the family. Everything from feeding to using the bathroom has to be closely monitored and taken care of. As an adult, constipation is normally a minor inconvenience at best; infant constipation is a whole different story. An infant has no way of telling you what is wrong, and they are much more susceptible to pain and discomfort. If you are concerned that your infant isn’t having regular bowel movements it is imperative that you take action.

There are a number of ways your infant can show signs that they are constipated, as well as a number of different ways to try to treat it. You don’t want to let this go on for very long without doing something as it can be dangerous to your baby’s health. You should always keep vigilant in monitoring your baby’s bowel movements and eating habits.

Let’s take a closer look at some of the ways in which you can, pardon the pun, get to the bottom of your little one’s constipation.

Look For The Warning Signs

There will be a few different warning signs that will let you know that your baby is dealing with a form of constipation. The first place you want to check is inside their nappy. When it comes to babies they should never have hard stools. This can indicate that they are either dehydrated, constipated, or sometimes both. The consistency of their stool can be affected by many different things so it’s important to keep your eyes peeled for any signs. Babies will obviously struggle more than usual to move their bowels when they are constipated. If you see your child pushing harder or arching their back you should immediately try to remedy the situation.

Try to Resolve The Issue With Diet

So, you are pretty sure that your baby is constipated at this point, so what is the logical next step? You should first focus on their diet and take stock of everything they have been ingesting in the last few days. Have you changed their formula lately? Or if you’re breastfeeding, have you eaten anything you normally wouldn’t or shouldn’t’? Maybe you have started your baby on solid foods and their digestive system isn’t quite ready yet. Start by having them drink extra fruit juice and water. These liquids will help big time in rehydrating them as well as provide some extra lubrication to get those stubborn stools out.

If you have started your child on solid foods recently it would also be a good idea to get out the baby food again. Every single child develops at different speeds and some just aren’t ready for solid foods as quickly. Add some pureed peas or carrots back into the mix and they can help get baby’s digestion working properly again.

If All Else Fails…

If you have tried switching their diet up and still have no change it is most likely time to visit your family doctor or paediatrician. It is not recommended that you try to introduce laxatives to your little one yourself, as there are only a select few things that are safe for babies to take. Your physician will be able to help you make the right decision on what, if any, medication should be used to treat your infant’s constipation.

Stay Calm – This Too Shall Pass

Being a parent can be stressful, especially when your baby isn’t well, but it doesn’t help anything or anyone to get stressed out or frustrated by the situation. If your baby is struggling, crying, and constipated there is no need to worry or stress out. Keep your calm and follow some of the advice we have offered. Once you get your infant properly hydrated or medicated you will be back changing perfectly dirty nappies in no time.