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Foods That Cause Constipation In Babies

Team AckoJan 8, 2025

Babies, in general, often suffer from constipation. In most cases, what your baby eats is a key factor. At the first signs of constipation, it’s crucial to assess their diet closely to understand which foods might be causing the issue. Foods that your baby consumes directly impact their ability to poop easily. . The substances present in foods tend to cause constipation in infants. This usually happens when babies start having solid foods.

constipation-in-babies

Contents

How to Prevent Constipation in Babies
Foods That Can Cause Constipation in Babies
Foods That Can Help Relieve Constipation in Babies
Wrapping up!
Frequently Asked Questions
Why Life Insurance is Important for New Parents

Signs of Constipation in Babies

There are different colours and textures of baby poop.

If the colour is green brown, yellow, green black, or brown and has a regular texture, there’s usually no reason to worry.
If stools are hard, pebbly, or irregular, and your baby is struggling to poop, they may be experiencing constipation in babies.

Constipation in babies is very rare when they take liquid foods in their initial months. When your child starts with solid foods and has difficulty passing stools, it is a sign of constipation.

How to Prevent Constipation in Babies

To prevent constipation in infants, focus on ensuring your baby has a balanced diet with adequate fluids and fibre-rich foods. Incorporate water and small amounts of diluted fruit juice to help with hydration. Additionally, regular tummy time and gentle massages can aid digestion and reduce constipation. If your baby is starting solids, introduce high-fibre foods gradually and limit foods that may cause constipation, such as bananas, rice, and cheese. Consult a paediatrician for guidance on dietary choices that support digestive health and prevent constipation in babies.

Foods That Can Cause Constipation in Babies

Milk Protein and Infant Formula: Protein in milk can lead to constipation in infants. Be careful once you start giving formula milk, as some babies may even develop allergies to the proteins found in both formula and breast milk, which could contribute to constipation. There are ingredients in formula food that are difficult for babies to digest, leading to constipation. Complex proteins are also present in formula milk, which causes hard stool.
Packaged Snacks: Highly processed foods, including packaged snacks and ready-to-eat meals, often contain preservatives and additives that can lead to constipation in babies. These foods typically lack the necessary fibre to aid digestion and may also contain high levels of sodium and unhealthy fats. It's best to offer fresh, whole foods to ensure your baby gets the nutrients they need for a healthy digestive system.
Apples: Apples can harden stool and are known as a home remedy for diarrhoea. A popular baby food, steamed apples, can cause constipation in babies. Also, avoid giving applesauce to your baby as it contains a substance called pectin protein, which is known to harden the stool.
Cheese: Cheese is a superfood for babies, containing essential vitamins and minerals and is usually given as a snack to babies. However, cheese is low in fibre and could cause constipation.
White bread: White bread is made with highly-processed all-purpose flour. It, therefore, lacks sufficient fibre and can make stool harder to pass for babies.

Foods That Can Help Relieve Constipation in Babies

Prunes: These are rich in fibre and a great source of multivitamins. It helps in curing constipation in babies. Prunes should be soaked overnight and given to babies first thing in the morning. Even prune juice can be given to help relieve constipation. This fruit helps in aiding smooth bowel movement.
Beans: Containing both soluble and insoluble fibre, beans aid digestion and help prevent constipation in babies.
Green Peas: Fresh green peas contain more fibre. For babies, it can be given as blended puree by boiling. This will help to ease the process of releasing stool.
Apricots: It is a seasonal fruit that is used to treat constipation. For babies, it can be given either as raw or in the form of juice. Dried apricots can also be soaked overnight and given to babies.
Oatmeal: High in fibre, oatmeal prevents stool from hardening, helping to manage constipation in infants.
Pear: This is a fruit which is rich in fibre and vitamin C, both of which help proper digestion and relieve constipation. A few drops of pear juice can be given to babies to cure constipation.
Broccoli: A superfood for babies, broccoli is a rich source of protein and fibre. Small steamed florets can be given as a finger food to ease the excretion process.
Sweet potatoes: Sweet potatoes are an excellent option for babies to avoid constipation. They help in relieving constipation and provide essential nutrients and carbohydrates for growing babies.
Berries:They are rich in antioxidants and an excellent food for babies and toddlers. They also provide relief from constipation.
Whole grain bread: Unlike white bread, which is made from highly processed all-purpose flour, whole-grain bread is nutritious, contains good fibre, and prevents constipation.

One should give their babies a substantial quantity of water to keep their excretory system well-lubricated. As parents, you will go through a lot of stress when your baby is suffering from constipation. Positive changes in their diet and regular physical activity can cure constipation and other stomach-related problems.

Wrapping up!

Constipation in babies can often be managed by adjusting their diet and monitoring food intake carefully. Certain foods like formula, rice, and processed snacks can worsen constipation, while fibre options such as prunes, pears, and beans can help relieve it. Ensuring your baby stays hydrated and introducing fibre-rich foods gradually can increase bowel movements and prevent discomfort. In addition, physical activities like tummy time or gentle leg exercises can support digestion. Regular observation of your baby’s eating habits, along with consultations with a paediatrician, can help maintain digestive health and prevent constipation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here’s a list of FAQs about Foods That Cause Constipation In Babies

How do you stop constipation in babies?

To stop constipation in babies, ensuring they are well-hydrated is important. For babies over four months old, small amounts of diluted fruit juices, like prune, pear, or apple juice, can help soften stools due to their natural sorbitol content. Massaging the baby’s belly in circular motions and gently moving their legs as if cycling can stimulate bowel movements. Introducing high-fibre foods, such as pureed peas, prunes, or oatmeal, may also help if the baby is on solids. However, for infants younger than six months who are exclusively breastfed or formula-fed, a paediatrician should guide any changes to ensure safety.

What homemade food is good for baby constipation?

Homemade, high-fibre foods are excellent for relieving baby constipation. Pureed “P” fruits, including pears, prunes, plums, and peaches, are particularly effective due to their natural laxative properties. Vegetables like peas, spinach, and broccoli also promote softer stools and improved digestion. For babies, consuming grains, oatmeal, or whole-grain cereal can further aid bowel movements. It’s best to avoid low-fibre or binding foods, such as bananas and rice cereal, while addressing constipation.

What position helps baby poop?

Several positions can aid in relieving constipation and encouraging bowel movements in babies. Placing the baby on their back and moving their legs in a cycling motion mimics the natural squatting posture, stimulating the intestines. Tummy time can also help, as the gentle pressure on the baby’s abdomen may encourage digestion. For babies experiencing discomfort, holding them with their knees drawn toward their chest can replicate the natural position used during pooping, making the process easier.

What are the worst foods for constipation?

Some foods are known to exacerbate constipation in babies. The “ABC” foods—applesauce, bananas, and cereal—are common culprits because they can make stools firmer. Similarly, low-fibre foods like white rice, bread, and pasta, as well as cow’s milk and dairy products, can contribute to constipation, particularly if the baby has a milk protein allergy. For formula-fed infants, certain formulas may cause harder stools compared to breastmilk. Careful dietary adjustments and consultations with a paediatrician can help identify and manage problematic foods.

How can I stimulate my baby to poop?

Stimulating a baby to poop can be done through a combination of physical and dietary interventions. Gentle abdominal massages and moving their legs as if pedalling a bicycle often help to encourage bowel movements. A warm bath can relax the baby’s muscles, easing any discomfort associated with constipation. For babies on solids, adding fibre-rich foods like pureed prunes, pears, and peaches to their diet can help resolve the issue. If the baby is exclusively breastfed or formula-fed, it’s best to seek paediatric advice before attempting dietary changes.

Why Life Insurance is Important for New Parents

Protecting your family's future is a priority as a new parent, and having a life insurance plan in place is essential for safeguarding your loved ones in case of an unforeseen event, ensuring financial stability and peace of mind.

New parents can ensure adequate financial security by choosing a life term insurance plan. You can use a term insurance plan calculator to find the best option that fits your family's future financial needs. Remember, proactively preparing your finances is just as important as taking care of the health and development of your baby. You can also consider the best term insurance plan for 1 crore to provide robust financial protection as living costs rise day by day.

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Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only, based on industry experience and secondary sources. It is not a substitute for professional advice. Please consult a qualified expert for health or insurance-related decisions. Content is subject to change, refer to current policy wordings for specific ACKO details.

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