When your little one doesn’t feel right, it is hard on the whole family. They are so small and can’t tell you what is wrong! If you have noticed a change in your baby’s bowel movements, there is a chance your little one could be constipated. So, recommend to you the best baby food for constipation.
Don’t worry! Constipation is normal, and there are plenty of things you can try at home to relieve your child’s symptoms. From simple exercises to high-fiber foods, little changes can go a long way in reducing your child’s constipation. Read on to discover how you can help your child overcome their constipation.
1. Best Baby food for Constipation– Is the Baby Constipated？
Constipation is when your bowel movements are less frequent than usual. It can cause an upset stomach until the motion passes. In babies, they may cry until they can give the poop. When they finally do poop, the poop may be harder or softer than usual.
Once the baby does poop, their constipation has passed, and they do not need any further help. You should monitor your child’s hydration as this can often be a cause of constipation.
| Normal bowel movements fewer | constipation | |
| Stool traits: Typically textured and of standard color | Stool traits: Stool may be rigid or darker than normal | |
| Time of occurrence: Three or more times a week | Time of event: Less than three times a week | |
| Baby’s mental state: Typical. The baby is calm and behaving normally | Baby’s mental state: Stressed. The baby may be fussy or uninterested inactivity. The need for treatment? There is no need for treatment. | The need for treatment? Help your baby with simple home remedies. |
2. Pay Attention to the Consumption of these Foods！
When your baby transitions to solid foods, it is common for them to experience some constipation. Their organs are adjusting to the new food proteins! However, some foods can cause constipation. All of these foods are fine in moderation. In excess, they can harden your baby’s stool and cause them to become constipated.
When planning your baby’s diet, pay attention to the different food groups your baby is eating. You want your baby’s diet to have plenty of variety, so they get all of the vitamins and nutrients they need. Ensure an adequate amount of fruits and vegetables in addition to their grains. Babies love bread and rice, so it can be tempting just to feed them those favorite foods. However, babies need more than grains to thrive.
Baby snacks:
Packaged baby snacks can also be tempting, but they are not what is best for your baby. While okay for occasional days on the go, fresh foods are always the best option for your baby. The following foods are common in many baby diets, but they can cause regular constipation in your little one. Feed these foods in moderation to prevent frequent constipations.
Cereal:
Often a baby’s first food, the grain is excellent for adding calories to your little one’s diet. It can help smaller babies get to a healthy weight and keep nursing babies full through the night. However, cereal is very low in fiber. It can cause your baby’s stool to harden and quickly lead to constipation. Balance your baby’s diet with grain and other healthy foods to prevent constipation.
Applesauce:
This natural sweetener is found in lots of baby foods and can be an easy way to get your baby to eat a less favorable vegetable. However, the fibers that are present in apples are removed in the cooking process to make applesauce. As a result, too much applesauce can cause constipation in your infant.
Bananas:
Similar to apple sauce, sweet bananas are a favorite amongst parents to feed their youngsters. Almost every child loves bananas, and they are so soft they won’t pose a choking hazard. However, bananas in excess can cause constipation and discomfort for your child. High in magnesium and potassium, a banana is an excellent food for your child’s diet, just in moderation.
White Starch:
Foods such as rice, oat, bread, and potato can cause constipation in your child. These foods provide little to no nutrients to your child and bulk up their stool, making it harder to pass.
All of these foods are significant parts of a balanced diet, with the flat being the keyword. Feed these foods in moderation, and your child should have a regular stool cycle.
（Sweet Potato Image）
3.Best baby food for constipation choice
Fruits
Fruits are naturally high in fiber and will help move your baby’s stool right along. Choose fruits and berries that your child enjoys eating that will also help their stomach feel better.
- Pears; Gritty pears are plenty sweet and can help relieve your child of their constipation. Children usually love them too! If you find your child is constipated, pears may be the answer to all of your problems. Mash them slightly with a fork so your child does not choke on the pear pieces.
- Citrus Fruits; Fibrous citrus fruits can help relieve constipation. Oranges can be incredibly delicious to young children and help reduce constipation. Try easy-peel mandarins or low-acidity oranges. These are easy on you and fun for your little one.
- Prunes; Famous for their role in relieving constipation, high-fiber prunes are just what your child needs to get things moving. Many baby food products include prunes specifically made for relieving constipation.
- Pumpkin; Pumpkin is one of the best foods for relieving constipation because it is easy to digest. If their stomachs are already upset, they need foods that are easy to digest in their stomachs.
The juice is another way you can aid your constipated child. The sweet drink typically still has the fiber from the fruit or vegetable and can stimulate your child to have a bowel movement. Look for juices made from high fiber products such as prunes or oranges.
Vegetables
- Any dark leafy green is excellent for relieving constipation. If you can get your child to chow down on some spinach, their constipation will pass in no time. Try steaming the spinach leaves and then processing them in a blender. It will break down their dense fibers so your child can enjoy nutritious vegetables.
- Broccoli is another excellent option if you are looking to relieve your child of constipation. The dark green vegetable has plenty of fiber to clean the pipes out. Your child will be popping in no time.
- Sweet peas are a fantastic vegetable because babies naturally like their creamy texture and sweet taste. They are also super easy to puree, which is a bonus!
Cereals
While cereals are a white starch, certain brands can be beneficial if your child is constipated. Look for grains that are high in fiber and include ingredients such as flaxseed. These natural ingredients can help cure your child’s constipation.
(Fruits and Vegetables )
4. Best Baby food for Constipation–Recipes you can try
When deciding what to feed your baby, homemade food is a great option. In this way, you can know what food your baby is eating and can control the nutrients in your baby’s diet.
These foods are made of high-fiber sources and are perfect for relieving your child’s constipation. Feel free to blend these foods as fine and chunky as your child needs.
1. Pear, Prune, and Clove
This recipe is a cure-all for constipation. With its high fiber ingredients and gas-relieving herbs, this baby food is as helpful as it is fragrant. Finely chop one pear and three figs and palace in a pot. Add in one clove.
Boil these ingredients until they are soft, and then blend them to the desired consistency. Once the food is completely cooled, feed to your baby to help relieve them of their constipation.
（Picture of ingredients, pear)
2. Fennel, Peach, and Pea
Sweet peas are the secret ingredient when it comes to curing constipation. Fortunately, Georgia peaches are there to mask their flavor. This duo brings plenty of fiber and fun fruit flavor to knock your child’s constipation to its knees. This recipe will not only help with constipation, but it may also become your child’s new favorite food!
Boil one peach with half a cup of sweet pea and a tsp of fennel seeds. Once you’ve softened the ingredients, transfer them to a blender. Blend to your desired consistency. Serve this food to your baby at room temperature.
（Peachde pictures）
3. Pumpkin, Prune, and Yogurt
Pumpkin is an unsung hero when it comes to relieving constipation. Canned pumpkin is already pureed and packed with the fiber and nutrients necessary to help your child feel better. In this recipe, combine pumpkin with yogurt and prunes for the constipation-busting puree to get you a movement within the hour.
Place a cup of pumpkin with a cup and yogurt in the blender. Blend until well combined. Add 3-5 prunes and continue pulsing the blender until you form your puree. Because this food contains yogurt, you should keep this puree below room temperature.
（Pumpkin pictures）
All of these recipes are great, easy ways you help your child with their constipation. Any food that is high in fiber is best. Also, the homemade purees are free of all preservatives. It is a beautiful gift to give your child! Hopefully, these recipes help you choose the best baby food for relieving constipation.
5. What Else Can You Do?
- Dehydration is a common cause of constipation. By adding more water into your baby’s daily routine, you can prevent constipation by keeping your baby more hydrated.
- Exercises are a great way to relieve your baby of constipation. Try bringing your baby’s knees gently up to their chest and applying slight pressure. This action can help move the blockage along and encourage your baby to have a bowel movement.
You can also slowly rotate your baby’s legs in a running motion. The legs’ movement can help move the trapped feces and aid your child in a bowel movement, ending their constipation.
- Belly massages are an easy way to help your baby when they are constipated. The odds are if your baby is constipated, their stomach doesn’t feel right. A gentle massage can help relieve gas and pain that has built up as a result of constipation.
- You can also give your baby a hot water bath. The sensation of the warm water can relieve any discomfort and encourage a bowel movement. Ensure the water is at a comfortable temperature for your child; they can not tolerate as warm of a bath as we can.
- Probiotics can be helpful but only give under a doctor’s supervision. Your child’s pediatrician may recommend probiotics to you if constipation is a repeated occurrence.
(Child Drinks Water )
Summary:
If, after trying these tips, your child is still constipated, take them to their pediatrician. Your child’s doctor will be able to assist you in relieving your child’s constipation medically.
If at any time the condition worsens and you find blood in your child’s stool, immediately contact their primary care physician. A doctor’s advice is more important than the tips and tricks outlined in this article.
These are recommendations based on our research. You know your child best. If your child has an allergy to a particular food, do not feed that food item to them. An allergy is more severe than constipation.
Hopefully, these strategies will relieve your infant of their bowel blockage. If your child regularly becomes constipated, talk with their doctor about more techniques you can do to prevent it.