Massage to overcome baby constipation

FROM TIME TO TIME, your baby may suffer from constipation. Massaging her abdominal area can be an effective way of both relieving and preventing this.The massage can be done when she is fully clothed, but is more effective if she is naked.Allow at least one hour after a feed before performing the strokes shown here. For this massage sequence, lie your baby on her back with her feet nearest to you.
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
❖ NO STOOLS
A constipated child will frequently strain to pass a stool, but does not always achieve it.
❖ HARD STOOLS
When a stool is passed, it is hard, often resembling a solid pellet.
❖ CRYING
A hard stool can be painful to pass, so babies often cry just before and while passing a stool.
❖ TIME LAPSE BETWEEN STOOLS
If your child has not passed a stool for over three days, it is possible that she is constipated. It is normal for babies and young children to pass stools three times a day, and also normal not to ‘go’ at all for up to three days, and sometimes even
longer if they are being breast-fed.
❖ STRAINING
Although it is a sign of constipation, ‘straining’ is not always a reliable indicator, as babies often go red in the face when pushing out a stool.
If your child strains when passing a stool, then passes a soft, wellformed one, she is not constipated.
THINGS TO TRY
Besides abdominal massage, there are other options you should consider to relieve constipation or to prevent it from occurring:
❖ PLENTY OF FLUIDS
Make sure your baby is drinking enough fluids. Freshly-squeezed orange juice can help to move the bowels. Give your child two to four fluid ounces of diluted orange juice a day. Squeeze some oranges, strain the juice and dilute it to a ratio of
one part orange juice to four parts boiled and cooled water.
❖ A HEALTHY DIET
Does your baby’s diet include all she needs to prevent constipation? Up to four months, she should have breast or formula milk and juices. From four months, give her baby rice, cornmeal, pureed fruit and vegetables and stewed dried fruit.
From six months, introduce cereals, pulses and other grains gradually. Fibre and fluids help prevent constipation, but do not omit fat from the diet. Ask your
health visitor for advice if necessary.
❖ SENSIBLE ADVICE
Constipation can be a common problem with babies and young children. If it occurs, it tends to be recurring.Your doctor or health visitor will be able to give you
useful advice and support in coping with a constipated baby.