Baby poop can be an awful sight, but as a mother or caregiver, you need to know how to relieve constipation and help a baby poop. In as much as no one likes the sight of poop, you should be worried if your baby is having difficulty pooping – or not pooping as much as he/she should.
Whenever you notice that your baby is struggling to poop – or is not pooping at all, chances are that the baby is constipated. In such a situation, you will need to come to the aid of the baby to try to relieve him or her, and help the baby poop.
It is impossible for an infant to actually explain what they feel when they are experiencing constipation, but trust me when I tell you that, it is just as terrible as we feel even as adults. Perhaps it is even more severe considering their underdeveloped biological system.
Having this in mind, we should be prepared at all times to help relieve our babies from constipation, and help them poop. The feeling of ease that comes with relief from constipation is unimaginable, and trust me when I say your baby will appreciate you with a priceless sigh, smile or chuckle as he or she feels that poop pop out.
How would you be able to relieve constipation and help a baby poop? Worry no further, because we have got you covered. This article will educate you on all you need to know about constipation in babies and how to help a baby poop.
Constipation in Babies
As you must have already guessed, constipation in babies is slightly different from constipation in adults – at least slightly. One major area where there are differences is in the way they can be managed and sometimes, the symptoms that are experienced.
In this section, we will highlight all you need to know about constipation in order to assist mothers and caregivers in identifying constipation and taking action swiftly to relieve the constipating baby and help him or her poop easily.
Constipation in babies – especially those that are less than 12 months of age is very common, and most times, it raises a lot of concern for the nursing mother or caregiver. This occurrence can cause nursing mothers to panic – which I often advise against.
In itself, constipation according to experts is as a result of irregularities in the bowel movements of a baby. Since the baby is still undergoing major internal developments and trying to adjust to the new feeding routine, there is bound to be consistent rounds of constipation during that period.
One major cause of concern for mothers and caregivers is witnessing their baby’s inability to poop, especially since this should not have been a problem going by all biological and physiological standards.
Between 0 – 12 months, babies depend on breast milk for their nutritional needs, and as a result of its high water content, a baby should not have issues passing the soft watery poop which they normally pass. Even in cases where the baby is on a formula, poop should not be difficult for a baby to pass – but sometimes, it is. So, as a mother or caregiver, you must be prepared.
Signs That Your Baby is Battling Constipation
Of cause your baby is not going to say ‘mom, I am having constipation – please help me poop’. As a mother or caregiver, you should be able to identify the signs that indicate that a baby is suffering of constipation.
You may know one or two of the signs, but that is not enough. You need to know all the possible signs and symptoms of constipation in babies, so that you can easily identify the problem once you find out that your baby is experiencing difficulty.
Below, we have highlighted a few symptoms that could mean your baby is constipated. They include:
- Irregularity in the pooping routing of the baby
- Unusual difficulty in passing out stool
- Noticeable strains in the bowel movement of the baby
- Passage of small pebble-like stool
- Discharge of larger mushy stool than normal
- Symptoms of Diarrhea that include passing around harder stool that remains in the anus
- The baby is experiencing noticeable painful cramps
- Swollen abdomen – usually filled with gas
How to Help a Baby Poop During Constipation
It is a magical feeling and there are no words to explain how your baby feels after you have helped them poop during constipation. As a mother or caregiver, you should know what to do in order to help a baby poop during constipation.
Below, we have highlighted a few tested and trusted points that you should master to help your baby poop when they are constipated. Make them a continuous routine, and you will notice the great bond it will create between you and your baby.
3 Ways to Help a Baby Poop During Constipation
1. Bicycle Movement Therapy: The bicycle movement therapy is a tested and trusted way to help your baby poop during constipation. It involves a simple routine of gently moving your baby’s legs in a circular motion as if you are helping them ride an invisible bicycle. The movements – which baby’s love, will help stimulate movements around their bowel area; and your baby is likely to poop in the process.
2. Tummy Massage: As a mother or caregiver, there is no doubt that you already know how relieving a massage can be. Well, your baby needs one also when they are battling constipation, and you want to help them poop. You should gently massage their stomach and lower abdomen area to stimulate movements and ease the inflated stomach. This will enable the baby to experience a good level of ease around that area and help the baby poop during constipation.
3. A Warm Bath: What is life without a warm bath? If you are like me, then you would know that there are only a few things in life that a warm bath cannot fix. Babies love warm baths too – but why won’t they? A warm bath helps to relax the baby’s muscles – including those around the bowel area. In fact, your baby will be so relaxed that, that there is a high chance that he or she will poop in the bathwater. So, take caution and be prepared (hahaha).
Remedies to Constipation in Babies
As a mother or caregiver, you need to have a good understanding of the use of home remedies in the treatment of normal occurrences in babies – such as constipation. The good thing about remedies is that, not only do they help to treat an issue, they also help to prevent them as much as possible from occurring in the future.
Apart from stomach massage, bicycle movements and warm baths which we have mentioned earlier as ways to help your baby poop during constipation, there are other home remedies that you can take advantage of to treat constipation in your baby. Below, we have listed a few.
4 Remedies to Constipation in Babies
1. Hydration: Babies need a high level of hydration, so they need a good dose of water in their diets. Although breast milk is made up of two-thirds water, and baby formula is usually water-based, there are times when your baby should be given extra water. The water will help to keep them hydrated and soften the content of their stomach to prevent constipation.
2. Changes in Diet: As a mother or caregiver, we should be conscious of what we feed to our babies and at what time. If we are breastfeeding, it is only wise that we try our best possible to eat meals that are balanced and contain a good amount of dietary fibre. A deficiency in dietary fibre or the consumption of certain meals may cause our baby to experience constipation.
3. Attention to Formula Preparation: If our baby is on a formula, then we should pay good attention to the preparation instructions. Always ensure that your baby formula has enough water content – especially for babies between 0 – 12 months of age. Also, ensure that you put water in the feeding bottle before adding the formula to ensure that there is adequate water content.
4. Fruit Juice: According to medical experts, when applied in a small quantity and rightly, fruit juice can help to soften the stool of a baby. However, you must make sure that the juice is 100 per cent prune or apple juice and do not have any preservatives or additives. Also, always consult the medical expert who is examining the baby before you give the baby fruit juice for the first time.
Conclusion – How to Relieve Constipation and Help a Baby Poop
Constipation in babies is mostly as a result of normal occurrences that can be effectively handled through the application of home remedies and techniques. So, there is no reason to draw the attention of a medical expert that has been examining the baby – except on rare occasions.
In some very rare cases, constipation can be as a result of internal defects in the biological development of the baby. According to medical experts, constipation can also occur when there is a lack of nerves or there is a presence of structural issues in and around the lower parts of the large intestine.
So, if you notice that the constipation is getting unusual than normal, or your instincts tell you there is a possibility that something more serious is wrong with your baby, you should consult your medical adviser. If there is one thing that a mother or caregiver should trust above all others, it is her instincts.
