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Baby Laxatives

Babies tend to become constipated which can be extremely painful for them as the stool becomes hard and firm. Daily diet is very important for babies because they are in development stages and certain foods can cause complications. Babies need to be able to empty their bowels effortlessly and comfortably. They do not need to go through constipation pain, stress, and irritation in their first years of life.

There are many different reasons for baby constipation and it depends on the baby’s lifestyle and what they are being fed. The causes can be divided into various categories as stated below.
Babies that are up to six months old can have a decrease in bowel movements. Usually babies that are on a normal cycle will have a few bowel movements a day, but in some rare situations, there might be two to three weeks between each bowel movement. This might create the need for baby laxatives if the baby seems irritated, or if they look like they are uncomfortable, and in pain. Some babies that are breast-fed will have numerous bowel movements and the stool can sometimes be of a yellowish colour.
Babies that are four months or older will begin a new diet of more solid foods.

The amount of bowel movements will reflect on what the baby is being fed. It is common for babies at this age to go through a period of constipation as they adjust to the new daily diet of more solid foods. They may have bowel movements a few times a day, or every two to three days. Constipation occurs as the baby’s body tries to digest and become familiar with more food nutrients. As the baby is fed an increase in solid foods, they might experience dehydration. The baby should always have liquids to assist in the softening of the stool.

Bottle-fed babies tend to be constipated more than breast-fed babies because the formula milk is much more difficult for the baby to digest. The stool will become more firm and thick, and the colour of the stool is more green than yellow.

Breast-fed babies do not experience constipation as much as other babies or formula fed babies. This is because the breast milk digests through the system easier and at a faster rate. The breast milk also helps make the passing of stool less stressful for the baby. A breast-fed baby usually has a great amount of healthy ‘good’ bacteria that develops in their large intestine. This type of bacteria helps break the proteins down in the system and makes bowel movement effortless and the stool soft.

Some other causes of constipation can include:

• Certain high protein foods
• Weight concerns in the baby
• A medical condition

When a baby is constipated, it can be the beginning of many more bouts of constipation and other painful complications. The baby might start to avoid passing the stool because it is painful. This can become serious as the baby’s internal system will absorb water from the stool, therefore making the stool become even harder. The baby might experience cracks or rips around the anus area which can cause bleeding and pain.

A parent can help the baby with their constipation by keeping them active, giving them baths, or massaging their little stomach in a gentle fashion. When massaging the stomach use clockwise circles and add cream or baby oil to make it more comfortable for the baby. Parents or care takers should NEVER put anything into the anus to stimulate the stool. This can cause severe damage and further complications. When the baby becomes older (around 5 months) the parents can begin to introduce fiber rich foods into their diet. This will help move the stool easily through the intestines. If the constipation remedies do not seem to helping then parents should consult with their general practitioner for advice on baby laxatives, or colon cleanses.