How to Prevent Infant Constipation
Feed your baby a fiber-rich diet., Keep the baby active., Move the baby’s legs yourself., Play with your infant using toys that roll or move., Massage the baby's stomach after eating.
Step-by-Step Guide
-
Step 1: Feed your baby a fiber-rich diet.
Certain types of solid food are more likely to trigger constipation, like bananas, carrots, and rice cereal.
Other foods can help prevent infant constipation, including prunes, pears, oatmeal, and barley cereal.Talk to your doctor about when is the best time to introduce solids and which solids your baby should be eating.
Most doctors recommend waiting until about six months before offering solids. -
Step 2: Keep the baby active.
Low activity levels can lead to constipation.
Infants often need assistance if you think they are not getting enough exercise., Grasp the baby's lower feet and gently move the baby's legs in a bicycling motion if the infant is not yet crawling.
Bringing the infant’s legs up and down can help the intestines work. , These can help encourage the baby to roll over or crawl more frequently, increasing the baby's activity level.
Your presence on the floor can also help the baby in moving around more, following you. , A gentle belly massage can help ease constipation.
Place your hand across the baby's stomach, three finger widths below the navel.
Apply gentle pressure. -
Step 3: Move the baby’s legs yourself.
-
Step 4: Play with your infant using toys that roll or move.
-
Step 5: Massage the baby's stomach after eating.
Detailed Guide
Certain types of solid food are more likely to trigger constipation, like bananas, carrots, and rice cereal.
Other foods can help prevent infant constipation, including prunes, pears, oatmeal, and barley cereal.Talk to your doctor about when is the best time to introduce solids and which solids your baby should be eating.
Most doctors recommend waiting until about six months before offering solids.
Low activity levels can lead to constipation.
Infants often need assistance if you think they are not getting enough exercise., Grasp the baby's lower feet and gently move the baby's legs in a bicycling motion if the infant is not yet crawling.
Bringing the infant’s legs up and down can help the intestines work. , These can help encourage the baby to roll over or crawl more frequently, increasing the baby's activity level.
Your presence on the floor can also help the baby in moving around more, following you. , A gentle belly massage can help ease constipation.
Place your hand across the baby's stomach, three finger widths below the navel.
Apply gentle pressure.
About the Author
Alexis Scott
Creates helpful guides on cooking to inspire and educate readers.
Rate This Guide
How helpful was this guide? Click to rate: