Home Remedies For Constipation In Infants

Infants develop constipation after they stop breast milk and start on semi solid and solid food. Lack of adequate fibre and water in their diet are the most common reasons associated with constipation in infants.

When the infant suffers, most often, the mother too suffers and is tensed and frustrated as they do not know how to relieve the infant of the pain and discomfort. Discussed below are some mild and safe home remedies that are apt for your infant. Home remedies may take time, but are very efficient and safe for long term use.

Tips To Cure Constipation in Infants

Tummy Massage

Giving a gentle tummy massage may sometimes stimulate bowel movements and help the bowel to move down and get to the rectum. Most children with constipation find it difficult to push down as the hard stools can cause pain and discomfort and this can lead to phobia, which can only worsen the symptoms.

Give a gentle massage on the stomach in a clockwise direction while you put your infant for potty. This will stimulate the movement of the constipated stools downwards and will ease the entire process.

Flax Seeds

Rich in omega 3 fatty acids, flax seeds are good for loosening the bowels and also in preventing constipation in infants. This is ideal for kids above six months.

Grind a few flax seeds and include in his/her daily diet. A teaspoon of flax oil too can work wonders and help the colon to slide the stools down easily.

Licorice

Licorice tea can be given to the infant to ease the bowel movement. Take a teaspoon of licorice and add to one cup of boiling water. Steep for ten minutes and give this water to the baby two to three times until the bowel function is adequately regulated.

Ginger

Ginger tea too helps when the infant is constipated. Ginger reduces instances of indigestion and also helps in easing the bowel function. Take ten grams of ginger and add one cup of boiling water. Add liberal amounts of honey and give it in small quantities to the baby.

Apple Juice

The pectin that is present in apple juice is a soluble fibre and this helps in adding fibrous mass to the stools and makes it easy to be slid down from the colon. For constipated infants, a bottle of apple juice can be given every day so that the stools remain loose and constipation kept at bay. Pectin is found specially in the skin of apples and work by drawing water to the constipated stool and preventing constipation.

Prune Juice

Prune juice has laxative properties that can help in softening the stools. When prune juice is administered to the baby, it might increase the frequency of bowel movements and this will prevent constipation as well.

An ounce of prune juice can be diluted with equal quantities of water and given twice daily to prevent constipation. For infants who are older, the juice can be blended with their cereals to ease the bowel movements.

Baking Soda

Some doctors recommend a warm bath for stimulating bowel movements in infants and easing the pain and trouble associated with constipated stools. A warm soak in baking soda can stimulate the excretory system and aid in elimination of stools.

Fill the tub with warm water and add a few teaspoons of baking soda to this. Let the baby soak in this warm water for ten minutes. Baking soda soak helps in hydrating the stools and this can be repeated 2-3 times a week to keep the constipation under control.

Vaseline

Vaseline does not actually help alleviate the symptoms of constipation. But it helps to ease the pressure on the rectal canal and can also avoid rectal tearing. Applying Vaseline in the anal areas will also help the stools to slide through easily without much friction.

If your infant is always constipated, you can apply Vaseline in the rectum and anal areas so that the pain and the discomfort can be reduced tremendously. This however has to be teamed up with another stool loosening remedy for maximum benefits.

Dark Corn Syrup

A folk remedy that has been passed on to the current generation, dark corn syrup has complex sugar proteins that help in keeping the water content in the bowels, thereby making the stools loose. One teaspoon of dark corn syrup can be added to four ounces of breast milk or formula milk and given to the baby daily.

Once the bowel movements are regulated, intake of dark corn syrup can be reduced and finally stopped. The syrup can be given whenever the stools start becoming hard. Light corn syrup is not effective for this treatment. It is also important to check whether the dark corn syrup that you use for this purpose contains sugars and is not a refined one.

Psillium Husk

Psillium husk is known for its laxative properties and can be used for infants as well. It can be blended with cereals or other food that is given to the infant for easing the bowel function. It is best to check with a doctor first to find out if there are any possible side effects with psillium husk.

Glycerine Suppositories

Sometimes, external stimulation is the key to aiding them in proper bowel function. Glycerine suppositories can be inserted in the rectal region in such cases so that the stools can easily glide through without causing any rectal tear and pain.

Extra Fluids

Constipation occurs due to lack of sufficient fluid intake. If your infant is faced with frequent constipation, you must assess the intake of fluids and add more fluids to his/her diet. 2-3 extra glasses of water or other fluids and fruit juices must be added to his/her diet to combat constipation and soften the stools.

Milk Of Magnesia

Milk of magnesia can help when your baby is constipated. A teaspoon can be given to the baby along with a bottle of milk to ease the movement of stools through the colon and aid in bowel movement. Milk of magnesia can be given twice a day and once the results surface, you must discontinue it.