|
Infants often suffer from constipation due to various reasons. Usually, this happens when you introduce solid foods to their diet which has been breast milk. The digestive system takes time getting accustomed to the new food and this may cause bowel irritation and lead to temporary constipation.
You must also remember that infants do not have a regular bowel movement and they can have either very watery stools or suffer from constipation for days at end. However if the constipation lasts for more than a couple of weeks, then it is a cause of worry. Prolonged constipation in infants can lead to serious problems and thus you should not ignore it.
You should also be concerned in your baby is crying a lot and squirming uncomfortably. There are several home remedies for treating constipation in babies.
If you are feeding your baby a formula or baby food from the market, you should stop it at least until the constipation has been treated and then gradually introduce it into the diet. You should also try to breastfeed your child for as long as possible. However if you can not do so, then remember to follow the instructions to prepare the formula to the "T" and remember to use only boiled water that has been allowed to cool down to room temperature. Some children might not react favorably to milk-based formulas, so you should opt for formulas that are soy-based. There are also some simple massaging techniques that can reduce your child's discomfort and induce bowel movement in babies. You should place your baby on his or her back on the bed ad place your palm on the stomach. Gently massage your baby's stomach with light and steady pressure, using baby oil. This will not only strengthen the digestive tract, it will also soothe the discomfort felt by the baby. Another good way to induce bowel movements in babies is by exercising the legs. Once again you should place the baby on his or her back on the bed and raise your baby's feet in the air. You should then circulate your baby's feet in a clock-wise and anti-clockwise movement. Repeat this with each leg separately, alternating the direction of the movement. This helps to improve the digestive functions and also induces bowel movements. However, if these methods do not work and the constipation has persisted for a fortnight or more, you should consult a doctor for adequate treatment.
|
