Constipation: how to relieve baby?

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At Biostime, we explain everything about infant constipation and give you tips to relieve your baby.

Baby constipation: how to relieve it?

Just like sleep and feeding, your baby's bowel movements can become a source of worry for parents when things don't go as expected. Has your baby not had a bowel movement for several days, or are their stools very hard, and you're concerned? You should know that constipation in babies is quite common! To prevent or treat it, it's important to know how to identify it properly. And that's exactly what we're going to do in this article, by giving you all the keys to relieve your baby when they're constipated!

Important notice: breast milk is the ideal and natural food for every infant: it is best suited to their specific needs. If an infant formula is used, when the mother cannot or does not wish to breastfeed, it is important to strictly follow the preparation and use instructions and to follow medical advice.

What is infant constipation?

Constipation is simply less frequent bowel movements associated with difficulty during evacuation. While for adults, normal transit is considered when bowel movement frequency is between twice a day and once every three days, for babies, it's a bit different¹. Indeed, there isn't really a regular bowel movement pattern in babies.

During the first month, babies usually have a bowel movement after each feeding. However, breastfed babies, being less prone to constipation, may only have a bowel movement once a week² because breast milk is very digestible³, and that's perfectly normal!

When the mother cannot or does not wish to breastfeed, it is estimated that formula-fed babies are constipated when they have fewer than 2 bowel movements per week or have difficulty passing them⁴.

What are the causes of infant constipation?

The causes of disrupted digestion in babies can have several origins (5 ):

A change in diet : the start of weaning, a change in infant formula, insufficient water or fiber intake…

Taking certain medications that have a constipating effect;

Changes in daily life : starting nursery, moving house… All of this can disrupt transit;

Toilet training : an episode of constipation is sometimes observed if the learning is too early or if the child is afraid of having a bowel movement.

What are symptoms 1 ?

Your baby is having fewer bowel movements than usual;

The stools are small, hard, dry and resemble small beads;

The stools are large and painful to pass : your baby cries or arches their back;

Bloating and stomach aches sometimes relieved by passing gas and lying on their stomach.

How to treat and relieve constipation in babies?

Is your baby constipated and you're wondering what to do to help? Here are some tips to relieve their discomfort:

Massage his tummy clockwise several times a day and move his legs as if you were pedaling him 6 ;

Keep your baby well hydrated : if you are breastfeeding, make sure you drink at least two liters of water a day and offer extra feedings to keep them well hydrated . If your baby is formula-fed because you cannot or do not wish to breastfeed, you can offer them small amounts of low-mineral water between meals, starting from 6 months.

If your baby has started weaning , you can increase the fiber in their diet 1 ;

Physical activity plays an undeniable role in proper bowel function. So let your baby crawl and toddle around the house !

If constipation persists and your baby is fed infant formula, the pediatrician may advise you to change formulas and switch to one with less casein, which tends to slow down transit 6. This is particularly the case with infant formula based on goat's milk 7 *.

*Biostime SN-2 Bio Goat formulas are not suitable in case of allergies to cow's milk proteins.

If your child's constipation persists over time and/or causes them significant discomfort , consult a healthcare professional who can determine the cause and suggest a suitable solution.

Share your stories!

Is your child prone to constipation? What have you done to relieve it? Do you have any tips to share to help them achieve more comfortable bowel movements? Let's help each other by sharing our experiences, questions, and concerns at contact@biostime.fr or via private message on Instagram @biostimefr.

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