Tips for Relieving Newborn Constipation
A couple of years ago I needed some tips for relieving newborn
constipation when my niece asked me to keep her infant daughter while
she returned to work. I never had any children so her mother had to
tell me what to do when the baby was constipated.
Since then I’ve asked some mothers how they dealt with newborn
constipation. I learned that one of the reasons for infant constipation
is the iron contained in infant formula; some babies don’t need the
additional iron. Some babies have allergies, usually to formula, which
can cause constipation, although one woman shared that her son was
actually allergic to the water she was using to mix his formula with.
In no particular order, here are some of the best tips for relieving newborn constipation:
Fruit Juice
Diluted apple or prune juice is one of the more popular methods for
relieving infant constipation that I heard. However, it shouldn’t be
used for infants under 3-4 months, and should always be diluted. The
acid content of some fruit juices can contribute to diaper rash unless
diluted with water.
Karo Syrup
Another of the more common cures for newborn constipation is Karo corn
syrup. Some used the light or dark corn syrup, while others insisted
that only the light corn syrup should be used. Mix 1-3 tablespoons of
the syrup in a bottle of warm water. NOTE: Since corn syrup has been
linked to obesity, you may want to limit its use.
Applesauce
Once the baby is taking baby food, applesauce will usually keep them
regular, and they also enjoy the flavor. If the baby is too young for
baby food, try mixing a little applesauce with rice cereal and diluting
it so it can be drunk out of a bottle.
Oatmeal
One woman found that her baby’s constipation would be eased when she
fed him formula to which oatmeal baby cereal had been added.
Massage
Massage can be accomplished in two different ways. The first is to use
a bit of baby lotion and use the tips of your fingers to gently massage
the belly and lower abdomen. The second method is to bend the baby’s
legs so the knees press gently against the belly. This can be done with
both legs together or one at a time in a “cycling” motion.
Glycerin suppositories
Glycerin suppositories will work when all other methods have failed.
That is actually what my niece had me use on her daughter. The
suppository would be gently inserted into the rectum, then her legs
would be “bicycled” placing light pressure on the lower belly. Usually
within a matter of one or two minutes she would have a bowel movement.
One of the most important tips for relieving newborn constipation was
the necessity of seeking medical attention should home remedies fail to
work. There may be something more going on and failure to get medical
help could result in long-term problems.
About the Author:
C.L. Hendricks has been a Jill-of-all-trades and become an expert in
some. She writes for http://www.invitingsmiles.com and
http://www.survival-homestead.com, plus
http://www.car-accident-advice.com and http://www.shelmetcastings.com
as well as several other websites on a wide variety of topics.
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