Infant Constipation Remedy - Baby Constipation Relief

Infant constipation means hard and infrequent stools. It does not mean grunting or straining. How often your infant should have a bowel movement depends on if your child is breast fed or bottle fed. Before you determine the best remedy, you should first determine if your infant is really constipated.

The colon works to maintain the body's fluid balance. The colon achieves this by removing water from the stool and eliminating waste. Waste is eliminated in the form of stool. Stools are formed as water along with nutrients and salts are absorbed by the colon. If stool remains in the colon too long, too much water is absorbed, leaving it dry and hard.

Infant

Breast fed infants are never technically constipated because the milk is easily absorbed by the baby and used. What is left is stool which is loose, curd-like, seedy and mucus. Breast fed stool do not have a foul smell. Exclusively breast fed infants can go several days between movements.

Infant Constipation Remedy - Baby Constipation Relief

When you notice your infant groaning, straining and making funny faces as he makes a bowel movement, your infant is not constipated. This is because the baby has not learned to control their abdominal and anal muscles to relax and expand when making a bowl movement. Once you introduce solids or formula, constipation may be become an issue.

Constipation in formula fed infants is very common. Infant formula is not as well digested as breast milk and more residues are left in the colon. Because formula takes longer to digest, the residue builds up, too much water is absorb and the stool becomes hard and pebble-like. It may be difficult and uncomfortable for your infant to pass. In this case straining and groaning may occur. Formula fed infants should have a bowel movement every 1-2 days.

If your infant is constipated here are some helpful remedies:

* Gently massage your infant's tummy. Stop if the baby seems to be in pain.

* Rotate the legs in a 'bicycle" movement. This causes the stomach muscles to move and stimulate the colon.

* Fruit Juice: Offer your infant a few ounces of fruit juice (apple, prune) until the bowels are moving.

* Try a gentle rectal exam. Insert a lubricated thermometer or Q-tip about a quarter inch into the rectum and wiggle it around. This really works so be prepared for what comes out.

* Karo syrup: Add about two teaspoons to formula. Corn syrup draws more fluid into the intestine, which makes stool less hard. Be sure not to give too much because diarrhea can occur

* Liquid Glycerin Suppositories for Infants: suppositories work by increasing water in the stool.

* For infants on solids offer prunes, peaches, pears, plums, apricots and peas. They make stools softer.

When to contact the doctor:

* If your infant cries while straining

* Constipation remains a persistent problem

* The number of wet diapers decreases each day

* Blood in stool or bleeding from anus

* Abdominal pain

* Reduced Appetite

Infant Constipation Remedy - Baby Constipation Relief

Kaaryn Walker is the editor of http://www.nomoreconstipation.com a website providing information on causes, symptoms and relief from constipation. To learn more about remedies for constipation in infants, adults, and seniors visit No More Constipation.

Baby Gas - My Baby Has Gas What Is The Best Baby Gas Relief?

All babies and infants have gas; some babies have more gas then others. It is normal but it becomes a problem if your baby is bothered by it and is in a lot of pain. Of course you want your baby to be happy and content.

Why Can Baby Gas Cause Pain?

Baby

Babies are born with a very immature gut. Most experts agree that for the first thirteen weeks, the newborn digestive system is literally just learning to function. Newborns also lack the benevolent bacterial flora (probiotics) that develop over time to aid digestion. Gas can create gas pockets that get trapped in the upper and lower intestines. The gas acts like a cork and built-up pressure causes painful bloating and swelling of the stomach.

Baby Gas - My Baby Has Gas What Is The Best Baby Gas Relief?

What can you do to help ease your baby`s gas pain?

Burping -

Make sure you burp your baby frequently while feeding; this will reduce the amount of air in your baby`s stomach. Burping is good but it will probably not help your baby totally get rid of the gas. There is gas created in the intestines during your baby`s normal digestion. The burping will not get rid of this gas.

Different ways of holding your baby -

Hold your baby with one hand, with his back against your stomach. With your free hand hold your baby`s one leg up so his/her knee is against his/her stomach. This will help your baby.
The football hold - hold your baby with face down resting her/his chin in your hand, on your forearm with baby`s legs straddling your elbow. Gentle pressure placed on your baby`s stomach can help baby`s gas.

Massage - Rub from ribcage to diaper one hand after the other, 15 times. Then bend baby`s legs to her/his stomach, count to 15. Then rub your baby`s stomach in a clockwise motion, 15 times. Bend baby`s legs to her/his stomach, count to 15. You can repeat this up to 3 times a day.

Bicycle move - Lay your baby on her/his back and move her/his legs like a bicycle. Make sure your baby lays on something soft and comfy.

Over-stimulation can sometimes cause baby gas. Do not over-stimulate your baby, it is OK to say no to visitors (even if it is hard). Sometimes some quiet and peace is all your baby need to decrease the degree of gassiness and fussiness.

Baby Gas - My Baby Has Gas What Is The Best Baby Gas Relief?

If you feel that above is not helping your baby, try Gripe Water. Get the 100% natural, no side effects gripe water, that ease and relief infant and baby gas. For more information on gripe water and which gripe water to use visit Help Me And My Family.

Anna L is a successful freelance writer and the owner of http://www.helpmeandmyfamily.com, a site for awesome parents that wants to be even better.

Infant Constipation Remedy - Baby Constipation Relief

Infant constipation means hard and infrequent stools. It does not mean grunting or straining. How often your infant should have a bowel movement depends on if your child is breast fed or bottle fed. Before you determine the best remedy, you should first determine if your infant is really constipated.

The colon works to maintain the body's fluid balance. The colon achieves this by removing water from the stool and eliminating waste. Waste is eliminated in the form of stool. Stools are formed as water along with nutrients and salts are absorbed by the colon. If stool remains in the colon too long, too much water is absorbed, leaving it dry and hard.

Infant

Breast fed infants are never technically constipated because the milk is easily absorbed by the baby and used. What is left is stool which is loose, curd-like, seedy and mucus. Breast fed stool do not have a foul smell. Exclusively breast fed infants can go several days between movements.

When you notice your infant groaning, straining and making funny faces as he makes a bowel movement, your infant is not constipated. This is because the baby has not learned to control their abdominal and anal muscles to relax and expand when making a bowl movement. Once you introduce solids or formula, constipation may be become an issue.

Constipation in formula fed infants is very common. Infant formula is not as well digested as breast milk and more residues are left in the colon. Because formula takes longer to digest, the residue builds up, too much water is absorb and the stool becomes hard and pebble-like. It may be difficult and uncomfortable for your infant to pass. In this case straining and groaning may occur. Formula fed infants should have a bowel movement every 1-2 days.

If your infant is constipated here are some helpful remedies:

* Gently massage your infant's tummy. Stop if the baby seems to be in pain.

* Rotate the legs in a 'bicycle" movement. This causes the stomach muscles to move and stimulate the colon.

* Fruit Juice: Offer your infant a few ounces of fruit juice (apple, prune) until the bowels are moving.

* Try a gentle rectal exam. Insert a lubricated thermometer or Q-tip about a quarter inch into the rectum and wiggle it around. This really works so be prepared for what comes out.

* Karo syrup: Add about two teaspoons to formula. Corn syrup draws more fluid into the intestine, which makes stool less hard. Be sure not to give too much because diarrhea can occur

* Liquid Glycerin Suppositories for Infants: suppositories work by increasing water in the stool.

* For infants on solids offer prunes, peaches, pears, plums, apricots and peas. They make stools softer.

When to contact the doctor:

* If your infant cries while straining

* Constipation remains a persistent problem

* The number of wet diapers decreases each day

* Blood in stool or bleeding from anus

* Abdominal pain

* Reduced Appetite

Infant Constipation Remedy - Baby Constipation Relief

Kaaryn Walker is the editor of http://www.nomoreconstipation.com a website providing information on causes, symptoms and relief from constipation. To learn more about remedies for constipation in infants, adults, and seniors visit No More Constipation.