Food for babies to help with constipation
Are There Baby Foods that Help with Constipation?
While parenting brings many surprises, one of them is likely how much you’ll think about poop, or lack thereof, especially during that first year. But here you are worrying about your baby’s digestive tract and convinced that they’re constipated.
If you’ve recently introduced your baby to solid food, then your worries may be on target: solid foods can put a strain on your baby’s developing digestive tract and cause constipation. But there are things you can do to help!
Before you begin treating constipation you should determine if there is really an issue at all. So here’s the scoop on poop and how to tell if your worries are founded and your baby is constipated.
Breastfed babies
During the first few weeks, you’ll find yourself changing diapers with alarming regularity. Figure in every feed or so.
But don’t despair, because by the time your baby reaches 6 weeks old, they may have a bowel movement only once or twice a day. On the other hand, they may have one only every 7–10 days. (Yep, the frequency really can vary that much.)
The poop is yellow, soft, runny and sometimes lumpy and the smell isn’t unpleasant.
Formula-fed babies
A newborn, formula-fed baby typically poops up to five times a day. At about 6 to 8 weeks, this may decrease to around once a day.
Formula-fed babies have poop that is a camel to brown color with a thicker consistency, more like paste. Most likely, the less-than-aromatic smell means you’ll hermetically seal soiled diapers before you toss them into the garbage.
Signs that your baby is constipated
You’ve noticed that your baby’s tummy isn’t following the schedule that you got used to. Could it be constipation? Here are the signs that could confirm your suspicions:
- You notice that they cry or fuss while they’re trying to have a hard bowel movement.
- The poop, when it does come, is like hard pellets.
- You notice streaks of red blood in the hard poop.
While it’s not easy for a baby on a liquid diet to become constipated, trouble can start when you start introducing your baby to solid foods at around 6 months. Here’s why:
New food types
Think of it as a learning curve: Your baby’s body is learning how to cope with a new kind of food to digest as they move away from their full liquid diet and you need to soften the learning curve. (Pardon the irresistible pun.)
Changes to fluid intake
Decreased fluids will make your baby’s poop harder and more difficult to push out. If they’ve started solids, they may need to up their fluid intake to offset the solid food. And if your baby is teething or feeling unwell, it can also lead to them taking in less fluid than usual.
Lack of fiber
Even though they’re just starting out, babies’ tummies work like ours. While initially the move to solids that have fiber (from breast milk or formula, which don’t) can cause temporary constipation, their tummies will adjust.
Make sure to monitor your baby’s fiber intake and pair it with plenty of hydration for a smooth ride the same way that you monitor yours.
OK, so you’ve confirmed that your baby is constipated. The next step is helping to alleviate the strain on their developing digestive system.
Remember that you can keep offering these foods as your baby develops into a toddler and beyond. In fact, there is little research or evidence to support specific foods (including high fiber ones) in treating or preventing constipation in infants. Most of these recommendations are based on evidence for older adults and children.
Keep in mind that good practice when introducing solids is to introduce foods as single ingredients. That way, if your baby is allergic to certain foods, you’ll be able to more easily trace the source.
If your little one hasn’t tried these foods before, don’t rush the process. Test out one at a time and then introduce combinations once you’re confident they’re well tolerated.
- Back to basics. Give your baby’s digestive tract a break by feeding them mashed avocado or sweet potato purée. These are easy to digest and may give your baby the kick start they need.
- B vegetables. Think broccoli, Brussels sprouts, and beans. Purée these for a meal filled with fiber.
- P fruits. Your grandmother was right — bring on the prunes for quick work. A purée that includes a mix of prunes plus pears, plums, or peaches should work magic. Try subbing the prunes with dates for a change.
- Bring on the fiber. If your baby is over 8 months, you can offer them whole grains like oatmeal, fiber-rich cereals, whole wheat pasta, and brown rice.
- Water intake. Until 6 months an exclusively breastfed or formula-fed baby doesn’t need to drink water. Above this age, you can introduce small amounts of water.
Plums and pears with cinnamon
Cut 2 or 3 pears and plums into small pieces.
Place in a saucepan with a small amount of water and simmer until soft. Add in a sprinkle of cinnamon. Blend thoroughly.
Sweet potato with apple and peach
Cut half a sweet potato, one apple, and half a peach into small pieces. Place in steamer basket and cook until tender. Blend until smooth.
Spinach and apple purée
Chop two apples into small chunks and cook in saucepan with about 1/2 cup of water. When they’re tender, add about 1 cup of spinach and cook another 2 to 3 minutes. Purée until smooth. Can be seasoned with cinnamon and ginger.
Some sources suggest prune, pear, and apple juices help to increase the water content in poop and can ease constipation.
However, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends steering clear of fruit juice for children younger than 1 year old. You can stick with these fruits as purées for similar effects.
What is it about prune juice? The high levels of sorbitol and phenolic substances in prune juice and dried plums act as a laxative and diuretic properties.
So if your child is over 1 year old, you can use small amounts of prune juice to encourage their system to run.
Some studies show that constipation may affect as much as 30 percent of children. If your child is part of the unlucky statistic, here are some foods that you may want to give them smaller amounts of until it passes:
- bananas
- dairy products such as cheese and yogurt
- low fiber foods like white rice, white bread, and white pasta
If you’re like most parents, you’ll be up for whatever you can try to help your baby get comfortable fast. Here are a few tricks that you can use to ease your baby’s constipation:
- Warm baths. These can relax those abdominal muscles and get them working.
- Exercise. Lay your baby on their back and push their legs alternately as if they’re cycling a bike. Alternatively, hold their knees and feet together and push their feet towards their belly.
- Massage.
Use your fingertip to draw clockwise circles on your baby’s stomach.
If you see that despite your home remedies, your baby still is having hard stools or hasn’t pooped after 2 or 3 days from their last hard stool, then contact your pediatrician. Especially if you consistently notice blood in their poop or your baby is extremely irritable and appears to be in pain.
While dealing with your baby’s toilet issues may seem a tad unsavory, you’ll soon be so used to it, that you’ll find yourself sharing your insights over coffee with other parents. And don’t be shy about sharing the yummy food combinations you discover to keep things moving.
Are There Baby Foods that Help with Constipation?
While parenting brings many surprises, one of them is likely how much you’ll think about poop, or lack thereof, especially during that first year. But here you are worrying about your baby’s digestive tract and convinced that they’re constipated.
If you’ve recently introduced your baby to solid food, then your worries may be on target: solid foods can put a strain on your baby’s developing digestive tract and cause constipation.
But there are things you can do to help!
Before you begin treating constipation you should determine if there is really an issue at all. So here’s the scoop on poop and how to tell if your worries are founded and your baby is constipated.
Breastfed babies
During the first few weeks, you’ll find yourself changing diapers with alarming regularity. Figure in every feed or so.
But don’t despair, because by the time your baby reaches 6 weeks old, they may have a bowel movement only once or twice a day. On the other hand, they may have one only every 7–10 days. (Yep, the frequency really can vary that much.)
The poop is yellow, soft, runny and sometimes lumpy and the smell isn’t unpleasant.
Formula-fed babies
A newborn, formula-fed baby typically poops up to five times a day. At about 6 to 8 weeks, this may decrease to around once a day.
Formula-fed babies have poop that is a camel to brown color with a thicker consistency, more like paste.
Most likely, the less-than-aromatic smell means you’ll hermetically seal soiled diapers before you toss them into the garbage.
Signs that your baby is constipated
You’ve noticed that your baby’s tummy isn’t following the schedule that you got used to. Could it be constipation? Here are the signs that could confirm your suspicions:
- You notice that they cry or fuss while they’re trying to have a hard bowel movement.
- The poop, when it does come, is like hard pellets.
- You notice streaks of red blood in the hard poop.
While it’s not easy for a baby on a liquid diet to become constipated, trouble can start when you start introducing your baby to solid foods at around 6 months. Here’s why:
New food types
Think of it as a learning curve: Your baby’s body is learning how to cope with a new kind of food to digest as they move away from their full liquid diet and you need to soften the learning curve. (Pardon the irresistible pun.
)
Changes to fluid intake
Decreased fluids will make your baby’s poop harder and more difficult to push out. If they’ve started solids, they may need to up their fluid intake to offset the solid food. And if your baby is teething or feeling unwell, it can also lead to them taking in less fluid than usual.
Lack of fiber
Even though they’re just starting out, babies’ tummies work like ours. While initially the move to solids that have fiber (from breast milk or formula, which don’t) can cause temporary constipation, their tummies will adjust.
Make sure to monitor your baby’s fiber intake and pair it with plenty of hydration for a smooth ride the same way that you monitor yours.
OK, so you’ve confirmed that your baby is constipated. The next step is helping to alleviate the strain on their developing digestive system.
Remember that you can keep offering these foods as your baby develops into a toddler and beyond. In fact, there is little research or evidence to support specific foods (including high fiber ones) in treating or preventing constipation in infants.
Most of these recommendations are based on evidence for older adults and children.
Keep in mind that good practice when introducing solids is to introduce foods as single ingredients. That way, if your baby is allergic to certain foods, you’ll be able to more easily trace the source.
If your little one hasn’t tried these foods before, don’t rush the process. Test out one at a time and then introduce combinations once you’re confident they’re well tolerated.
- Back to basics. Give your baby’s digestive tract a break by feeding them mashed avocado or sweet potato purée. These are easy to digest and may give your baby the kick start they need.
- B vegetables. Think broccoli, Brussels sprouts, and beans. Purée these for a meal filled with fiber.
- P fruits. Your grandmother was right — bring on the prunes for quick work. A purée that includes a mix of prunes plus pears, plums, or peaches should work magic.
Try subbing the prunes with dates for a change. - Bring on the fiber. If your baby is over 8 months, you can offer them whole grains like oatmeal, fiber-rich cereals, whole wheat pasta, and brown rice.
- Water intake. Until 6 months an exclusively breastfed or formula-fed baby doesn’t need to drink water. Above this age, you can introduce small amounts of water.
Plums and pears with cinnamon
Cut 2 or 3 pears and plums into small pieces. Place in a saucepan with a small amount of water and simmer until soft. Add in a sprinkle of cinnamon. Blend thoroughly.
Sweet potato with apple and peach
Cut half a sweet potato, one apple, and half a peach into small pieces. Place in steamer basket and cook until tender. Blend until smooth.
Spinach and apple purée
Chop two apples into small chunks and cook in saucepan with about 1/2 cup of water. When they’re tender, add about 1 cup of spinach and cook another 2 to 3 minutes.
Purée until smooth. Can be seasoned with cinnamon and ginger.
Some sources suggest prune, pear, and apple juices help to increase the water content in poop and can ease constipation.
However, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends steering clear of fruit juice for children younger than 1 year old. You can stick with these fruits as purées for similar effects.
What is it about prune juice? The high levels of sorbitol and phenolic substances in prune juice and dried plums act as a laxative and diuretic properties. So if your child is over 1 year old, you can use small amounts of prune juice to encourage their system to run.
Some studies show that constipation may affect as much as 30 percent of children. If your child is part of the unlucky statistic, here are some foods that you may want to give them smaller amounts of until it passes:
- bananas
- dairy products such as cheese and yogurt
- low fiber foods like white rice, white bread, and white pasta
If you’re like most parents, you’ll be up for whatever you can try to help your baby get comfortable fast.
Here are a few tricks that you can use to ease your baby’s constipation:
- Warm baths. These can relax those abdominal muscles and get them working.
- Exercise. Lay your baby on their back and push their legs alternately as if they’re cycling a bike. Alternatively, hold their knees and feet together and push their feet towards their belly.
- Massage. Use your fingertip to draw clockwise circles on your baby’s stomach.
If you see that despite your home remedies, your baby still is having hard stools or hasn’t pooped after 2 or 3 days from their last hard stool, then contact your pediatrician. Especially if you consistently notice blood in their poop or your baby is extremely irritable and appears to be in pain.
While dealing with your baby’s toilet issues may seem a tad unsavory, you’ll soon be so used to it, that you’ll find yourself sharing your insights over coffee with other parents. And don’t be shy about sharing the yummy food combinations you discover to keep things moving.
Diet for constipation in a child | Mamovediya
Constipation is a fairly common problem among children of all ages from infants to teenagers.
One of the main causes of constipation in a child is improper or irrational nutrition. If the child has constipation, then in order to normalize the baby's stool, it is necessary to develop the habit of emptying the intestines at the same time, as well as to make the right diet.
When preparing a diet for a child who suffers from constipation, it is necessary to include in the diet foods that increase the volume of feces and improve intestinal motility, foods that have an enveloping effect and help food slide well into the lower sections, foods rich in potassium, necessary for a good the work of the intestinal muscles, as well as fermented milk products containing bifidobacteria, which contribute to the development of beneficial intestinal microflora. nine0003
Parents need to carefully review their baby's diet and avoid foods that may contribute to constipation.
Foods that may impede the process of emptying the intestines of a child include dried blueberries, foods that have a viscous consistency, rice and semolina, too hot dishes, as well as drinks such as cocoa and strong tea.
Also constipation can be promoted by muffins, fresh bread and other products made from white wheat flour dough, including dumplings, dumplings, yeast pies. nine0003
Bread with bran, buckwheat, oatmeal, raw vegetables and fruits, dried fruits, especially prunes, dried apricots and apricots are very helpful in the fight against constipation.
From vegetables and fruits with constipation, it is necessary to use carrots, pumpkins, beets, zucchini, cauliflower, greens, baked apples.
Also, in case of constipation, it is necessary to include in the diet low-fat varieties of meat and fish, dairy products, sour cream, jelly and fruit and berry compotes.
From dairy products, sour-milk products containing biocultures, one-day kefir, fermented baked milk and yogurt are best suited.
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Since the diet for constipation in a child requires the restriction of sweets and starchy foods, instead of sweets, you can prepare a healthy and tasty dried fruit dessert for your child.
When compiling a diet for a child with constipation, it is necessary to try to increase the amount of ballast substances in the diet , which will swell in the intestines, and contribute to an increase in the volume of feces. These substances include fiber, pectin, seaweed, cellulose, bran.
If a child has bloating due to constipation, then in his diet it is necessary to exclude food that is rich in dietary fiber.
It is very important to avoid gas-producing foods while dieting . Such products include cabbage, beans, cucumbers, eggplants, pears, lingonberries, spinach, sorrel, apple and grape juice.
It is very important for a diet in case of constipation in a child to maintain an optimal drinking regimen and make sure your child is drinking enough fluids throughout the day.
For drinking, mineral water without gas, juice with pulp, dried fruit compote, herbal tea are best suited.
If a child has a pronounced painful contraction of the intestines, then he should not be given coarse fiber for food. All fruits and vegetables should be given to the baby without the skin. Juices with pulp, mashed potatoes, sour-milk products, low-fat boiled meat and fish, honey, jams, jams can also help such a child very well. nine0003
For infants who are bottle-fed, it is necessary to choose a therapeutic mixture for constipation in a child .
If the baby is breastfed, then in this case, the nursing mother needs to consume a lot of fresh vegetables and fruits, as well as dairy products.
The introduction of complementary foods to a child with constipation is best to start with one-component vegetable puree and pumpkin, zucchini, carrots, beets are well suited for this. nine0003
It is not possible to choose one general diet for all children, since it is necessary to take into account the individual characteristics of the baby's body and his state of health.
It is very important to remember that constipation that does not go away for a long time in a child is a reason for immediate medical attention, because in such cases one diet is not enough.
Video: HOW TO EAT TO AVOID CONSTIPATION - MEDICAL PHD TIPS
Foods that prevent constipation and improve digestion
In developed countries, up to 20% of the population suffers from constipation. In the last article on this topic, we talked about what constipation is and what are the most common causes of constipation. In this material, we understand why you should not immediately take constipation remedies, but it is better to first pay attention to your diet.
If you or someone you love has occasional or regular bowel problems, read on. You will learn about healthy products that help you go to the toilet in a natural way. nine0003
If constipation lasts for weeks or is accompanied by pain, blood and mucus in the stool, and other unpleasant symptoms, see a doctor.
Contents
- 1. How different types of fiber affect bowel movement
- 2. Soups: more water and fiber
- 3. Fermented Foods - Gut Probiotics
- 4. Fruits with stones against constipation
- 5. Whole grains and bran
- 6. Legumes in the fight against constipation
- 7. Seeds for Better Digestion
- 8. How to eat fiber
- 9. Important note
How different types of fiber affect bowel movements
Photo by Ella Olsson / UnsplashFiber, or plant fiber, helps to make stools regular and feeds good gut bacteria. It comes in soluble and insoluble forms, and both types are equally important for healthy digestion.
The human body is unable to digest fiber. The gut bacteria do it for us. nine0107Soluble fiber absorbs liquid and forms a gel-like substance that facilitates the movement of feces through the digestive tract. It also creates a feeling of fullness.
Atlas microbiota test helps you understand how bacteria perform this task. Based on the results of the test, every week you will receive a list of products to improve the functioning of your microbiota.
Soluble Fiber absorbs liquid and forms a gel-like substance that facilitates the passage of stool through the digestive tract. It also creates a feeling of fullness. Foods rich in fiber of this type include apples, oatmeal, citrus fruits. nine0003 Photo by Andre Taissin / Unsplash
Insoluble fiber adds bulk to the stool and stimulates intestinal receptors to speed up stool elimination. Insoluble dietary fiber also retains water and prevents feces from turning into a dry, lumpy mass. This type of dietary fiber is found in plants of the legume family, nuts, and potatoes.
Photo by Maddi Bazzocco / UnsplashSoups: more water and fiber
The high fiber and liquid content of vegetable soups makes them an excellent and affordable tool for solving problems with the gastrointestinal tract.
The main thing is not to digest vegetables so that the fiber does not lose its beneficial properties. nine0003 Photo by Gianluca Gerardi / Unsplash
Milk and cream soups can cause bloating and make you feel unwell. For thicker, more textured soups, and to avoid GI side effects, opt for recipes with potatoes. The starch it contains will give the soup a creamy texture.
Fermented foods - probiotics for the intestines
Fermented foods such as kefir or sauerkraut, are rich in beneficial probiotics - lactic acid bacteria Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium. In the intestines, such bacteria resist dysbacteriosis and produce short-chain fatty acids that maintain mucosal health and normal peristalsis. nine0003
Fermented foods contain little or no lactose, so people with lactose intolerance don't have to worry about stomach discomfort. If a slight seething after their use nevertheless appeared, the reason is more likely in the probiotic effect than in intolerance.
Photo by little plant / UnsplashThis means that the intestinal bacteria are working hard on the breakdown of fiber, while releasing gases.
If the sour taste and smell of kefir repels you, try other fermented dairy products, such as Greek yogurt, fermented baked milk, acidophilus.
There are probiotics for vegans are kombucha, kimchi cabbage, sauerkraut and other fermented vegetables, miso paste, cashew or soy based yogurt.
With the Atlas Microbiota Test, you can check the bacterial composition of your gut and find out which prebiotics and probiotics are right for you.
Fruits with stones against constipation
These juicy and fibrous fruits will quickly help to improve digestion in a natural way. Some fruits with stones also contain sorbitol, which has a mild laxative effect.
Apricots, plums, peaches, nectarines are considered the most effective against constipation.Photo by Elena Mozhvilo / Unsplash
If the fresh fruit season is over, you can limit yourself to prunes and dried apricots. It is important to always drink dried fruits with water - if you eat them dry on the go, this will only worsen the condition.
Whole grains and bran
The raw grain retains the outer shell, endosperm and germ. Such grains contain a maximum of nutrients and fiber, so for chronic constipation, whole grains and bran (separated grain shells) should be included in the diet.
Photo by Christopher Alvarenga / UnsplashThese include:
- whole grain toast for breakfast;
- bran porridge;
- blasted whole grain breads for snacking;
- brown rice for garnish. nine0084
If you don't like the taste of brown rice, you can buy a mixture of regular brown rice. As for flax crackers, such a snack is not suitable for everyone - dense raw grains may not be digested at all.
Legumes in the fight against constipation
Lentils, chickpeas and beans from the legume family contain a lot of fiber - this is what causes flatulence in many people.
In order for this fiber to benefit, you need to add legumes in small portions of to the diet and focus on your well-being. In any case, gas is rather a positive sign, which indicates that the intestinal bacteria have something to eat. nine0003 Photo by engin akyurt / Unsplash
Before cooking, it is recommended to soak legumes in advance for several hours or even overnight in cold water. Canned chickpeas and beans are easier to digest because some of the "gas-forming" substances go into a liquid that can be drained.
You can also buy legume sprouts or get them yourself - they are also easier to digest. Spice asafoetida , according to some research, can reduce bloating after legumes. nine0003
Regular Digestion Seeds
Chia Seeds is a trending source of soluble fiber. They also need to be diluted with water or added to cereals, smoothies, yogurts. Chia pudding or chia yogurt is a light breakfast or dessert option that will help keep the moisture in your stool and add the viscosity you need.
Photo by Ash Edmonds / Unsplash
Psyllium Husk is sold dry as a natural remedy for constipation. It has a neutral taste and smells almost nothing. When diluted with water, the husk forms mucus, which is necessary for the formation of healthy stools. nine0003
More affordable soluble fiber - flax seeds . They are recommended for irritable bowel syndrome, chronic constipation and type 2 diabetes . Seeds need to be soaked in water overnight to get that gel-like texture. If you don’t want to wait, you can buy flaxseed porridge in the form of an instant mix.
How to eat fiber properly
Insoluble fiber must be chewed thoroughly and for a long time , otherwise coarse particles will irritate the esophagus and intestines. If it takes you longer to eat a salad than a main course, that's perfectly fine. The better you chew, the better this food will be absorbed and digested. nine0003 Photo by Yoav Aziz / Unsplash
It is important to drink plenty of fluids.
If fiber has nowhere to absorb water, it won't work as a natural laxative.
If you have never eaten a lot of fruits and vegetables, start with small portions and give your microbiota time to get used to the new diet.
There are several signs that you may be eating too much fiber. These are:
- bloating of the lower abdomen, distension and flatulence;
- Loose, unformed stools, in which undigested fibers are clearly visible.
Highlights
- A proper diet that includes soups, fermented and whole grains, and various types of fiber can help to improve bowel movements.
- It is important to remember to drink plenty of water throughout the day. Sugary drinks and coffee do not replace water.
- You can find out what nutrients and dietary fiber your bacteria are missing by taking the Atlas Microbiota Test. You will receive personalized and understandable recommendations that will help improve the functioning of the microbiota and improve digestion.
