Navigating constipation with our children, or ourselves, can be incredibly challenging and is also incredibly common. In this blog, I’m going to share possible causes for constipation and foods that can support any symptoms.

So first of all, what’s expected when a baby begins on solid foods?

When a baby begins on solid foods, there are many significant changes that take place in their digestive system, and so of course too, these changes impact their elimination patterns. Parents should expect to see a difference in the colour, consistency, odour and frequency of their baby’s stool. The frequency of a bowel movement also changes and generally becomes more regular than before starting on solid foods.

How do we know if a baby is constipated?

Constipation is one of the most common concerns when it comes to a baby’s elimination patterns. So how do we know if a baby is constipated or if their digestive system is just adjusting to solid foods? Well, the most critical factor is actually the consistency of a baby’s stool. With constipation, the stool is dry, hard, pebble or pellet-shaped and is difficult to pass. Parents may also observe:

• Fewer than three bowel movements a week (ideally once a day +)

• Smears on nappy from stool that isn’t fully released

• Passing excessively foul-smelling gas

• A hard and/or distended belly

• Loss of appetite

What about straining and grunting?

It is really common for babies to strain, grunt or get red in the face leading up to, or during, a normal bowel movement. So long as these are accompanied by a soft stool, this is not necessarily a definitive sign of constipation. It may be that their digestive system is still adapting to the transition of solid foods. Although some red-faced straining can be normal, we don’t want to see babies in discomfort, irritable or crying when attempting to pass a stool.

So what are some possible causes of constipation?

• Starting solids too quickly - Replacing milk with too much solid food too quickly can overburden their delicate system, leading to constipation.

• Baby is refraining from passing a stool - It’s a big transition for babies to move from soft, runny stools when having breast or formula milk to denser, firmer stools having solids. This can lead to some babies refraining from passing stool as the sensation and feeling is new for them.

• Constipating foods - Offering baby too many constipating foods such as banana (unripe), rice and rice products (like baby cereal), cooked apples, toast (and all refined white flour foods), pasteurised dairy products (especially cheese) can lead to constipation.

• Iron-fortified foods - Iron supplements and foods that are fortified with iron (to know if a food is, check the ingredient list), commonly contribute to constipation.

• Food sensitivity - Constipation can be a symptom of food sensitivity or food intolerance. Please ensure to work with your favourite healthcare professional for support with identifying these.

• Gut bacteria - The amount and diversity of beneficial bacteria in a baby’s gut directly influences the rate at which stool moves through their colon.

• Family history - A family history of chronic constipation can increase a baby’s risk of being prone to constipation.

• Formula - Sometimes switching to an alternate brand will relieve a baby’s constipation.

What natural remedies are available for constipation?

I love a food-first approach, so will always recommend starting here. Some foods that can alleviate or prevent constipation are: prune, plum, peach, pear, nectarine, mango, cherries, healthy fats, soaked chia seeds, fennel tea.

Focusing on baby’s gut health is also an integral step of managing constipation. So naturally adding in a baby-specific probiotic powder can be supportive, alongside probiotic-rich foods, such as sauerkraut, kefir and yoghurt.

I love supporting parents with natural remedies and solutions for constipation, so if this is something you are navigating, please send me an email here.