Babies can become constipated for a variety of reasons, most of which are generally not serious. Constipation can occur when babies start solid foods, especially during the transition phase. Fortunately, most cases of constipation in babies can be solved with a few specific foods as well as some general dietary changes.
What is Constipation?
Many parents confuse constipation with the normal bowel movement process for babies. For instance, Dr. Ari Brown, co-author of "Baby 411," reports that parents often tell her their children are constipated when they have fewer bowel movements per day or when they grunt when having a bowel movement. However, this is actually normal for many babies. According to Brown, constipation is not based on the frequency of bowel movements, but their consistency: soft poop is good, while harder pellet-like poop indicates true constipation. This is the case no matter how many times a day your baby poops. In addition, grunting and turning red during bowel movements, while not typical for adults, is perfectly normal for babies.
Constipation When Starting Solids
Around the 6-month mark, most babies have their first taste of solid foods. A popular choice for most parents is rice cereal. However, rice cereal in large quantities can cause constipation in young babies. To avoid this, Brown recommends constipation-prone babies have only one serving of rice cereal per day. In addition, parents can offer higher fiber stage one foods as an alternative. Be sure to introduce new foods as instructed by your pediatrician. Most suggest only one to two new foods every few days in order to pinpoint any potential food allergies.
Preventing Constipation in Older Babies
Once babies have moved beyond their initial solid food experimentation, keeping fiber-rich foods steady in their diets can prevent constipation. These include prunes, beans, peas, apricots and bananas. The American Academy of Pediatrics, or AAP, recommends babies younger than 1 year have two servings of high-fiber foods per day and babies past their first birthday have three. In addition, they recommend whole grains for babies who have progressed to finger foods, which can increase the amount of fiber in the diet.
Episodes of Constipation
Even a baby with a healthy diet can become constipated from time to time. Brown recommends giving a dose of between 1 and 5 tbsp. of prune juice as needed for constipated babies, adjusting the amount until the poop is soft enough to pass easily but still formed. In addition, the AAP recommends offering other fruit juices such as apple or grape, which can help loosen stools. Increasing your baby's water intake can also help relieve constipation. However, babies younger than 6 month of age should never get more than 1 or 2 oz. of water, according to Brown. Karo syrup is another traditional option for constipation relief, however it should not be given to babies younger than a year old due to the potential for botulism.
References
- American Academy of Pediatrics: Constipation: Care Advice
- "Baby 411"; Denise Fields, et al.; 2010
