30 Indian Home Remedies for Constipation in Babies ,Toddlers

If your baby or toddler bowel movements became irregular or painful, then constipation is the problem! Constipation occurs commonly in formula fed babies, babies who just started solids, toddlers/kids who eat low fiber foods. Here I have given some details about signs, causes of constipation, ways to get relived and also foods to relieve constipation in babies. Talk to your pediatrician on these options before you try.

In the initial months, potty patterns and frequency changes frequently, it depends on whether the baby breastfed or formula feed. Breastfeed babies may poop several times a day or do potty only once in a week. Formula fed babies do one potty a day or may poop only once in every three to four days. All the above-mentioned poop patterns are common in newborn babies and finding out which is normal for your baby helps to identify the underlined problem easily. However, here are some general signs that you can conclude that your baby/child has constipation

• Hard belly
• Less than three poops a week
• Loss of appetite
• A hard and dry potty with trouble passing
• Crying in discomfort while doing potty
• Streaks of blood along with the stool

Causes of constipation in babies & Toddler/Kids:

It’s vital to determine the cause of constipation to take necessary actions. Below are the top reasons which may cause constipation in babies and kids.

• Changing the brand of formula from one to other
• Switching from breastfeeding to formula
• Switching to cow’s milk from formula/breast milk
• Introducing solids (for the first time)
• Low fiber foods
• Less water/liquid intake
• Medical condition or illness

Read further below on the detailed information and recipes for constipation in children.

Massaging tummy and bicycle legs helps relieve gas and regulate bowel moments. It’s a great remedy to relieve constipation for babies below 6 months.

• Tummy Massage: Place your baby on her back and gently massage your baby’s tummy with your hand in a clockwise direction.
• Bicycle Legs: Lightly hold the baby’s leg in a half bend position and gently move your baby’s legs as if he/she is riding a bicycle. Alternate bicycle legs with tummy massage.

 

Asafoetida/Hing is known for its laxative properties and it’s an old known Indian remedy to relieve constipation in babies. Choose good quality asafoetida for baby.

How to do:

• Take a pinch of good quality asafoetida/Hing and apply on baby’s belly button and give a gentle massage to get relief from constipation.

4. Switch Formula (0 Months +):

5. Castor Oil Massage: (6 Months+)

Castor oil is a wonderful home remedy for constipation as it has natural laxatives. But do consult with your child’s doctor before giving castor oil to your child!

How to do:

• Take few drops of castor oil in your hand and gently apply around the anal area which loosens the skin and helps in easy bowel movement.
• For older kids, castor oil can be given orally by mixing in the food.

P-Fruits: 

 

6. Prunes (6 Months +):

Prunes are your first friend for reliving baby constipation, it works really well to regulate the bowel. Give prunes as puree, juice or as such depends on your baby’s preference and age. Check the prunes puree recipe here for babies with more information on selecting and offering prunes to babies.

7. Papaya (6 Months+):

Papayas are also one of the great remedies for relieving constipation, you could offer papaya as puree, mashed or cut papaya pieces according to your baby’s age. It works best when taken along with breakfast. But be sure to offer papaya in moderation as too much of it might lead to diarrhea. Check papaya puree recipe here for babies.

8. Pear (6 Months+):

Pear is another great fruit to offer as a remedy to help alleviate a child’s constipation. Give pear as puree, mashed, chopped or even as juice according to baby’s age and preference. Check pear puree recipe here for babies (make it without apples).

9. Plums (6 Months+):

Like prunes, plums are high in fiber that helps in preventing and treating constipation. Dietary fiber in plums helps to helps water the stool. Give plum as puree, mashed, chopped or even as juice according to baby’s age and preference. Check plum juice recipe here for babies.

10. Peaches: (6 Months+)

Peach or peach juice can be useful in preventing or reducing constipation. Offer peaches as puree, mashed, chopped or as juice according to baby’s age and liking. Check peach juice recipe here for Babies and Kids.

Fluids & Juices:

11. Warm water (6 Months+) :

Warm water helps to flush the body to get working again, it works best when you give warm water at the early morning as soon as your baby wakes up or try to offer a sip of warm water at regular intervals when your child is constipated.

12. Ajwain Water (8 Months+):

Ajwain or carom seeds is known for its medicinal purposes especially as it works great for constipation. The thymol presents in ajwain helps to relieve constipation if taken as ajwain water. Read more here on how to prepare ajwain water for babies and how much amount should be given for respective ages.

13. Pineapple Juice (10 Months+):

Pineapple juice is a great remedy for preventing and treating constipation by regulating the digestive system. Kids can take 1/2 cup of pineapple juice preferably along with breakfast in the morning to get relieved from constipation. Check out pineapple juice recipe here.

14. Orange Juice : (10 Months+)

Orange juice is another natural home remedy that helps in constipation as it’s full of fiber. A constipated kid can take 1/2 cup of orange juice with the pulp along with breakfast, it helps in stimulating the bowel. Check here on the preparation of Orange juice.

15. Lemon water: (8 Months+)

Lemon water is a simple home remedy that you can try for treating constipation. The combination of water and lemon act as a natural lubricant and stimulates a bowel movement. Take a glass of water and squeeze 1 tbsp lemon juice to it. Mix everything well and offer your kid! Also check here on the preparation of lemon water with detailed steps.

16. Warm Milk with ghee (1 year +):

Warm milk with ghee is an Ayurveda remedy that is helpful in regulating bowel movements. Add 1 tsp of ghee to the boiled warm milk and offer your toddler before bed.

17. Brown sugar & water: (1 year+)

Sugar water is an ancient remedy for constipation that has been around for centuries. The sugar helps in bowel movement by drawing additional fluid. Take 1/2 cup of boiled water and add 1 tsp of brown sugar to it. Mix well. Offer this to your kid 2-3 times a day!

Dry Fruits, Nuts, and Seeds:

18. Raisins (6 Months+):

Raisins/dry grapes are natural laxatives which are good for treating constipation. You can use either black or golden dry grapes for treating constipation based on availability. For small babies and kids, you can give dry grapes water which helps to pass the stools easily. Check more details about giving dry grapes to babies and the preparation of dry grapes water here.

19. Dates(8 Months +):

Dates are another good laxatives as they are rich in fiber which helps the bowel movement. Take 3 dates and wash them properly. Soak them overnight in water and completely mash it next day morning with your hands. Mix the mashed dates with 1/2 cup of warm water/ milk and give your baby.

20. Figs (8 Months +):

Figs are consumed as a natural remedy to cure constipation. As they are rich in fiber content, that can help promote regular bowel movements. Figs can be given in dried form or in ripe form to treat constipation. For small babies, soak a dried fig overnight in water and mash well next day. Mix it with milk or water, offer your baby.

21. Apricots (8 Months +):

Dried apricots are an old remedy used for constipation relief. You can give apricots in puree form to small babies or soak it overnight and offer the juice next day morning to the constipated baby. Mashed or pureed Dried apricots can be added to any baby food as well.

22. Walnuts: (8 Months+)

Walnuts are the easily available home remedy that can be effective in treating constipation as they have a significant amount of soluble fiber. You can give 2-3 walnuts in powdered form or as whole to your child according to their age.

23. Flax Seeds: (8 Months+)

Flax seeds are used for centuries as a constipation remedy as they are rich in dietary fiber. Soak the dark-colored flax seeds in water for some good amount of time and then make a paste. Add the flax seeds paste to your baby’s food to treat constipation.

Whole Grains:

24. Oatmeal (8 Months+):

Oats and oatmeal work great for constipation as it has both soluble and insoluble fiber. Cooked Oats can be given as porridge or in any convenient form to get relieved from constipation. Check here on how to prepare oatmeal for babies.

25. Barley (6 Months +)

It is a great choice for constipation relief and prevention as It helps in regulating the bowel movement. Barley water or barley porridge works best for constipation treatment. Check barley water and barley porridge recipe here.

26. Dalia: (8 Months+)

Dalia or cracked wheat contains the outer bran of wheat which is an excellent source of dietary fiber which prevents constipation. It also helps in easier digestion. You can give a small bowl of dalia in the form of dalia kheer or daila khichdi. Check Dalia kheer and Dalia khichdi recipes here.

Vegetables & Fruits:

27. Gouva (8 Months+):

It is a natural remedy for constipation which is the richest source of dietary fiber and serves as an excellent laxative. Can be offered in the form of a puree, mashed or sliced depending on your child’s age. For treating constipation, prefer to give it in the morning along with breakfast.

28. Spinach (10 Months+):

Spinach is another excellent remedy for treating constipation by clearing the intestines and regulating bowel movement. Include spinach in your child’s diet at least 3 times a week to relieve from constipation. Cooked Spinach can be taken in any form to treat constipation but spinach soup works best. Check here for Spinach soup

29. Broccoli: (8 Months+)

Broccoli is a great source of soluble fiber which makes it a wonderful food to offer during constipation. Include broccoli in your child’s diet regularly to treat constipation, Check broccoli soup recipe here.

30.Other Fiber Rich Vegetables and Fruits : (6 months +)

For babies who are introduced to solids, including fiber-rich foods in their daily diet helps fighting constipation and helps to loosen up the stools. Also, it regulates the bowel movement if taken on a daily basis. Some fiber-rich fruits and vegetables are listed here:

• Avocado
• Strawberries
• Mango
• Kiwi
• Grapes
• Raspberries
• beans
• Pumpkin
• Cauliflower
• cabbage
• peas
• oranges

Foods to avoid during constipation:

• Avoid BRAT – Bananas, Rice, Applesauce, Toasted Bread
• Avoid foods that contain white flour(Maida), white sugar and processed foods.
• Carrots & Potatoes
• High Salted Foods
• Fried foods
• Red meat
• Dairy products in excess

Important Note: 

• Remember that each baby/child is different and hence what works for one may not work for the other. Hence if one home remedy doesn’t work for your baby, try another one probably with more success.
• The information provided here are guidelines and doesn’t replace medical advice.
• Kindly seek doctors to help if symptoms persist.
• Check with your doctor immediately if you see blood in motion or your baby/child is having chronic constipation.
• Before you try any recipes, just make sure you have introduced each ingredient separately and checked for allergies.
• Avoid honey, milk, salt or sugar for babies below one year.
• Always check with your pediatrician before including any food in your baby’s diet.

Photo Credit:

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