30 Indian Home Remedies for Constipation in Babies, Toddlers | Baby Constipation Home Remedies

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

How can I tell my baby/child is constipated?

In the initial months, potty patterns and frequency change frequently. It depends on whether the baby is breastfed or formula fed. Breastfeeding babies may poop several times a day or 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 easily identify the underlined problem. 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 for detailed information and recipes for constipation in children.

1. Leg Bicycles and massaging (0 Months +):

Massaging the tummy and bicycle legs helps relieve gas and regulate bowel moments. It's an excellent 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 clockwise.
• 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.

2. Warm Bath (0 Months +):

3. Applying Asafoetida/ Hing: (6 Months+)

 

 

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 the baby.

How to do:

• Take a pinch of good quality asafoetida/Hing, apply it on the baby's belly button, and give a gentle massage to relieve 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 a few drops of castor oil in your hand and gently apply it around the anal area, which loosens the skin and helps in easy bowel movement.
• Castor oil can be given orally to older kids by mixing food.

P-Fruits - Baby Constipation Home Remedies:

 

6. Prunes (6 Months +):

Prunes are your first friend for relieving baby constipation. It works well to regulate the bowel. Give prunes as puree, juice, or as such, depending 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 help alleviate a child's constipation. Give pear as puree, mashed, chopped, or 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 prevent and treat constipation. Dietary fiber in plums helps to help water the stool. Give plum as puree, mashed, chopped, or juice according to baby's age and preference. Check plum juice recipe here for babies.

10. Peaches: (6 Months+)

Peach or peach juice can help prevent or reduce constipation. Offer peaches as puree, mashed, chopped, or juice according to baby's age and liking. Check peach juice recipe here for Babies and Kids.

Fluids & Juices -Baby Constipation Home Remedies

 

11. Warm water (6 Months+) :

Warm water helps to flush the body to get working again. It works best when you give warm water in 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 are known for their medicinal purposes, especially as it works great for constipation. The thymol present 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 should be given for their respective ages.

13. Pineapple Juice (10 Months+):

Pineapple juice is a great remedy for preventing and treating constipation by regulating the digestive system. To relieve constipation, kids can take ½ cup of pineapple juice, preferably along with breakfast in the morning. Check out pineapple juice recipe here.

14. Orange Juice : (10 Months+)

Orange juice is another natural home remedy that helps with constipation as it's full of fiber. A constipated kid can take ½ cup of orange juice with the pulp along with breakfast. It helps stimulate 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 to treat constipation. The combination of water and lemon acts as a natural lubricant and stimulates a bowel movement. Take a glass of water and squeeze 1 tablespoon lemon juice into 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 helps regulate bowel movements. Add 1 teaspoon 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 ½ cup of boiled water and add 1 teaspoon of brown sugar to it. Mix well. Offer this to your kid 2-3 times a day!

 

Dry Fruits, Nuts, and Seeds -Baby Constipation Home Remedies

18. Raisins (6 Months+):

Raisins/dry grapes are natural laxatives that 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 preparing dry grapes water here.

19. Dates(8 Months +):

Dates are another good laxative as they are rich in fiber which helps bowel movement. Take 3 dates and wash them properly. Soak them overnight in water and thoroughly mash them the next day morning with your hands. Mix the mashed dates with ½ cup of warm water/ milk and give your baby.

20. Figs (8 Months +):

 

Figs are consumed as a natural remedy to cure constipation. They are rich in fiber content and can help promote regular bowel movements. Figs can be given in dried or ripe forms to treat constipation. Soak a dried fig overnight in water for small babies and mash well the next day. Mix it with milk or water, and 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 them overnight and offer the juice the next day morning to the constipated baby. Mashed or pureed Dried apricots can also be added to any baby food.

22. Walnuts: (8 Months+)

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

23. Flax Seeds: (8 Months+)

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

Whole Grains - Baby Constipation Home Remedies

24. Oatmeal (8 Months+):

Oats and oatmeal work great for constipation as they have soluble and insoluble fiber. Cooked Oats can be given as porridge or conveniently to relieve 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 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, an excellent dietary fiber source that 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 - Baby Constipation Home Remedies

27. Gouva (8 Months+):

It is a natural remedy for constipation, the richest source of dietary fiber, and an excellent laxative. Depending on your child's age, it can be offered as a puree, mashed, or sliced. I prefer to give it in the morning and at breakfast to treat constipation.

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 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 an excellent source of soluble fiber, making 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 introduced to solids, including fiber-rich foods in their daily diet helps fight constipation and helps to loosen up the stools. Also, it regulates bowel movement if taken daily. 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 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; 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 is 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 if your baby/child has chronic constipation.
• Before you try any recipes, 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.

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