Just like adults, infants can also fall prey to constipation. Constipation is the difficulty in passing stools. It’s a common problem across people of all ages, irrespective of their age or gender. Breastfed babies are less likely to develop this condition in comparison to the babies that are not breastfed.

The problem with infant constipation is the delay in recognizing the difficulty. Most parents may overlook the constipation for a while as the stools of the infant may not always give them a clear idea about the situation, until the infant displays discomfort by crying, and by constantly touching his or her stomach.

Hard stomach, hard stool, irritability and discomfort are amongst the common signs that your baby will display upon this condition. Once you were able to determine the condition correctly, the next step would be to follow some good treatments without any delay. Luckily, there are several methods which one can incorporate to eliminate this problem. Let’s have a look at them.

Water

Water is called the magical fluid for obvious reasons. It has great properties which can help in the healing process of many ailments affecting the human body. Water is a great resource for treating constipation as well. Make your infant drink plenty of water in regular intervals. Water eases the digestion process, and makes the passage of stool easier.

Fiber

Experts reckon that adults should consume at least 20 to 35 grams of fiber on daily basis, in order to eliminate the cause of constipation. According to recent studies, most Americans consume only about 15 grams of fiber on daily basis, thus offering an open invitation to constipation. Since most parents aren’t aware about this fact, they are inviting this problem in their infants as well. Fruits and vegetables and rich in fiber, and have several other health benefits as well. Feed your infant with fresh fruits and vegetables, and pave goodbye to constipation.

Remember, not all kinds of fruits are recommended; do not try a banana or apple as they will worsen the situation. Peers or some other strained food would be a good option to consider, in order ensure that there is no fiber deficit in your baby.

Exercise and Massage

A little exercise like some simple body movements and massage can help the infant as well. Apply some good oil while gently massaging the baby’s stomach in a circular motion. You can perform a bicycling movement, holding on to the baby’s leg after laying your baby on his or her back. Exercise and massage will calm the baby, making it easier for stool elimination.

Bath

Give a nice warm bath to the baby. This again will relax the baby, and aid in the stool passage.

One should visit a doctor, if one notices blood in the stool, or abnormal appearance of the stool. Remember, you should not panic over this situation as constipation is a common problem.

Getting relief from constipation is not as complicated as one imagines. Some simple home remedies can relieve your infant from constipation, thus welcoming the most awaited smile on your baby’s face.

Rick Missimer

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