You probably never imagined you would spend much time thinking about someone else’s poop. But since bringing your baby home, you’ve probably thought about your baby’s bowel movements more often than you’d care to admit. Questions about how it should look, how often it should happen, and whether it's normal are common concerns for new parents. But what happens when you feel like your baby isn’t going enough?
How can you tell if your baby may be experiencing occasional constipation?
If you’ve noticed any of the following signs, your baby may be having occasional constipation:
-
Hard, dry stool
- Discomfort while passing
-
Firm belly
- Crying, or discomfort while trying to pass stool
- Spitting up more than usual
Why might your baby experience occasional constipation?
Here are some gentle approaches that may help support relief from occasional constipation in babies:
1. Change Mom’s Diet
Though exclusively breastfed babies don’t get constipation very often, it can still happen. If that’s the case, you might want to consider changing up your diet. Your little one might be sensitive to something you’re eating. Keep a food diary and make a note if removing something seems to help.
2. Change Formulas
Formulas based on whey or soy could be irritating your baby’s digestive system. Some infants may be sensitive to certain proteins, which could contribute to occasional digestive discomfort. Switching to a different formula may help, as not all formulas contain the same types of milk proteins. Some of them have proteins that are already partially hydrolyzed or chopped down, making them easier to digest. Talk to your pediatrician to discuss which formula is best for your baby’s tummy.
3. Get Off the BRAT Diet
If you have made the switch to solid foods, you are likely giving your baby some of the BRAT diet. This includes bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast. Often parents will give these foods to their baby to soothe an upset tummy. However, these foods are naturally low in fiber, which may contribute to occasional digestive discomfort.
4. Warm Bath
A warm bath can help your baby’s muscles relax to get things moving again.
5. Gentle Massage
If the bath didn’t do the trick, try a soft massage on the baby’s tummy when drying him off. Gently massage the belly in a circular motion near the navel, slowly moving away from the center of the belly. This gentle motion can help activate the digestive tract and encourage natural bowel movements.
6. Bicycle Legs
Movement and gentle exercise can help activate your baby’s digestive system by encouraging the natural muscle contractions that move things along. Try laying your baby on his back and gently moving his legs in a bicycling motion to help get things going.
7. Constipation Ease*
If your baby is older than six months, try Mommy’s Bliss Constipation Ease*. This supplement may help occasional constipation*. The gentle ingredients like prune juice, organic fennel, organic dandelion, and prebiotics may help promote regular bowel movements*.
*These statements have not been evaluated by the food and drug administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
This site is intended for informational purposes only and does not provide medical advice. Please consult your physician or other health-care professional.
