Constipation in babies is thought to be a common symptom of a developing digestive system, but that doesn’t mean it will resolve itself. You should always talk to your public health nurse, pharmacist or GP if your baby is showing signs that they are constipated. This will ensure they get a correct diagnosis, and if they are suffering from constipation, you get the necessary advice to manage it.
Constipation treatment will depend on its severity, which your healthcare professional can assess. However, there are a few practical tips you can try to ease the symptoms – these vary depending on whether your baby has been weaned or not.
Constipation relief
Get things moving
Relieving your baby's constipation
Non-weaned babies
- Give cooled boiled water between normal feeds to keep your baby hydrated, but don’t dilute their feed.
- For babies who are formula fed, don’t over-concentrate or dilute their formula milk. Read the instructions on pack carefully to make sure it’s made up correctly. You could also ask your public health nurse, GP or pharmacist about suitable specialist formulas for the dietary management of constipation.
- Gently move your baby’s legs in a bicycling motion.
- Carefully massage their tummy to help stimulate their bowels.
- Speak to your public health nurse, pharmacist or GP about other nutritional solutions available.
Weaned babies
- Give them plenty of water with and between meals and try sitting with them to make sure they drink it.
- Never force them to eat food if they do not want to. You don’t want to turn mealtimes into a negative experience for them.
- Encourage them to eat fruit and vegetables. This can boost the amount of fibre they’re getting and help keep their digestive system healthy.
Never force them to eat food if they do not want to.
Persevering with constipation treatment
It’s really important that you find a solution that offers constipation relief for your baby as, the longer your child is affected, the more time it will take for them to get back to normal. Treatments can take up to a week or two to take effect, so perservere for this long, then contact your public health nurse, pharmacist or GP if there is no success.
Remember, if you need to talk to somebody about your baby’s constipation, our expert careline team are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for support.
Next steps
- Talk to your public health nurse , pharmacist or GP about the best constipation remedies for your baby.
- Start the constipation treatment as soon as possible and see if it has a positive effect on symptoms.
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Important notice
Breastfeeding is best for babies and provides many benefits. It is important that, in preparation for and during breastfeeding, you eat a varied, balanced diet. Combined breast and bottle feeding in the first weeks of life may reduce the supply of your own breast milk, and reversing the decision not to breastfeed is difficult. The social and financial implications of using an infant formula should be considered. Improper use of an infant formula or inappropriate foods or feeding methods may present a health hazard. If you use an infant formula, you should follow manufacturer’s instructions for use carefully – failure to follow the instructions may make your baby ill. Always consult your doctor, midwife or health visitor for advice about feeding your baby.