Concerned about your baby's constipation? Here is a list of home remedies for you

Most often, a baby can go on for a long time between bowel movements. Most of the time, it is normal for a baby to go for days or even more than a week without a bowel movement. However, a baby may sometimes be constipated and need a little care.

Here are some home remedies just for you:

• Exercise

Moving a baby's legs can help relieve constipation. As in the case of adults, exercise and movement help to stimulate bowels. However, as babies cannot walk or even crawl, a parent or a caretaker should help them exercise by moving their hands and legs to relieve from constipation.

Gently move the baby's legs while they are lying on their back.

• A warm bath

A warm bath helps a baby to relax their abdominal muscles and help them stop straining. It also helps to relax from discomfort caused by constipation.

• Dietary changes

Certain diet changes can prove to be fruitful as a home remedy. However, this varies according to the baby's age and diet.

While breastfeeding a baby, a woman sometimes produces certain foods from her diet, such as dairy.

For formula-fed babies, a parent may want to try a different kind of formula if the current formula is causing bowel issues.

If an infant has begun eating solid food particles, say, a 1-year-old, fibre rich food is good for them. Many fruits and vegetables help stimulate the bowels because of their high fibre content.

• Hydration

Young infants do not need supplemental liquids as they remain hydrated by being breastfed.

Paediatricians advise adding a small amount of water or fruit juice to the baby's diet who are over 3-6 months old.

• Massage

Several ways to massage a baby's stomach to relieve constipation are:

-using a fingertip to make circular motions on the stomach in a clockwise pattern

-walking fingertip around the naval in a clockwise pattern

-hold the baby's knees and feet together and gently push the feet toward the belly

However, it is important to note that these are not meant to be followed often, it will only lead to the worsening of constipation. The baby may not feel like passing a bowel movement, which is completely natural.

If any parent feels that all these have been done and is not proving to be of any help, the best suggestion would be to consult a child's specialist.

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