How to Relieve Infant Constipation

A young baby's bowel movements are anything but predictable. New babies often have several stools a day, while older breast-fed babies may go three to four days without pooping. To complicate matters, many young babies grunt and turn red in the face while passing a stool without being constipated. You'll know a baby's constipated, though, when the stools are hard and dry. They become more infrequent than is typical for your little one, and your baby may cry when passing them. If you suspect your baby is constipated, start treatment right away.

Things You'll Need

• Water
• Corn syrup
• Fiber powder
• Glycerin suppository
• Fruit juice
• Oatmeal
• Strained fruits and vegetables

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Instructions

For Babies Less Than 6 Months Old

• 1

  Give your baby 2 to 3 ounces of water once or twice per day or increase breastfeeding. True constipation is often caused by a lack of fluids.

• 2

  Change your baby's formula. Some formulas cause constipation more than others. Your pediatrician can recommend a different formula.

• 3

  Add 1 to 2 teaspoons corn syrup to a bottle of formula or breast milk, two or three times per day. Start with the lowest dose and increase if necessary until baby's bowel movements soften. Do not use honey, which can cause botulism poisoning in babies and young children.

• 4

  Discontinue the corn syrup if it doesn't solve the constipation within three or four days. Try a fiber powder, which is an over-the-counter product available at the pharmacy. Give 1/2 to 2 teaspoons, two to three times per day.

• 5

  Use a glycerin suppository for infants if the fiber powder doesn't work. Place baby on his tummy and insert the suppository gently into the rectum, according to package directions. Hold it in place for 10 to 15 seconds. A bowel movement usually occurs almost immediately.

For Babies 6 Months Old and Older

• 6

  Give your baby 2 to 3 ounces of water once or twice per day or increase breastfeeding. True constipation is often caused by a lack of fluids. Offer diluted fruit juices, such as prune and pear juice. These juices have a laxative effect that usually solves the problem.

• 7

  Change your baby's formula. Some formulas cause constipation more than others. Your pediatrician can recommend a different formula. Cut out rice cereal, which can be constipating, for a few days. Try oat cereal instead.

• 8

  Offer baby foods high in fiber, such as strained pears, apples, prunes or leafy greens. Avoid bananas, cooked carrots, cheese and dairy products, which can exacerbate constipation.

• 9

  Add 1 to 2 teaspoons corn syrup to a bottle of formula or breast milk, two or three times per day. Start with the lowest dose and increase if necessary until baby's bowel movements soften. Do not use honey, which can cause botulism poisoning in babies and young children.

• 10

  Discontinue the corn syrup if it doesn't solve the constipation within three or four days. Try a fiber powder, which is an over-the-counter product available at the pharmacy. Give 1/2 to 2 teaspoons, two to three times per day.

• 11

  Use a glycerin suppository for infants if the fiber powder doesn't work. Place baby on his tummy and insert the suppository gently into the rectum, according to package directions. Hold it in place for 10 to 15 seconds. A bowel movement usually occurs almost immediately.