Your baby is likely constipated if she has had less than three bowel movements in one week, if she strains to pass a bowel movement or if her stool is hard and dry, KidsHealth reports. Constipation is a common problem among babies and can be treated with dietary changes. Babies often get constipated as they transition from breast milk to formula or solid foods. Adding new foods to your baby's diet may also cause temporary constipation that can be treated by feeding your baby certain helpful foods for the next few days.
Prunes
Prunes and prune juice can help with your baby's constipation because they act as a natural laxative. Food laxatives work to soften your baby's stool and keep his digestive system working more efficiently so constipation can be treated. KidsHealth recommends giving your baby some prune juice to see if it will get things moving. Prunes can also be purchased in pureed form in the baby food section of your supermarket. If your baby is old enough to be eating solid foods, give him a few tablespoons of pureed prunes because they may have the same effect as prune juice. A few bites will go a long way because too much intake of prunes can cause diarrhea.
Applesauce
Applesauce is another baby friendly food that can help treat constipation. Fiber enables your baby's digestive system to work properly and feeding her applesauce will increase how much of this nutrient she eats. Eileen Behan suggests in her book, "The Baby Food Bible: A Complete Guide to Feeding Your Child, from Infancy On," that feeding your baby applesauce may jump start her bowels and help cure her constipation. Start with a few tablespoons once or twice a day to see if her stool softens enough to ease her discomfort. A small amount of apple juice may also act as a laxative and help treat your baby's constipation.
Bananas
A banana will supply your baby with some fiber, which will help get his bowels working more efficiently so his constipation will go away. KidsHealth recommends serving your child a banana as one fruit that is effective at helping to treat constipation. Offer your baby a few pieces of chopped banana to help ease her tummy discomfort. Make sure the pieces are small enough that they do not pose a choking hazard to your little one. Incorporating bananas into your child's daily diet may help prevent constipation from returning, Behan adds.
References
- KidsHealth: Constipation
- "The Baby Food Bible: A Complete Guide to Feeding Your Child, from Infancy On"; Eileen Behan; 2008
