What Would Cause an 11 Month Baby to Get Constipated

Read time: vii minutes

What to Know nearly constipation for babies and toddlers

• Know the symptoms of constipation
• Understand why constipation happens at these ages
• Learn common dietary treatments for constipation

Constipation in children is defined every bit having fewer than two bowel movements per calendar week and/or difficulty passing stools that are pocket-size, hard and dry.ⁱ Simply every kid is unlike. Pay attention to any seems regular for your little one, because any deviation from your babe's "normal" can exist unpleasant.

What causes constipation?

Inadequate hydration is the likely constipation culprit, forth with eating a nutrition low in fiber.

It is important for babies and toddlers to drink enough fluids to continue their bodies properly hydrated and bowels moving regularly.² And when increasing the amount of fiber in your kid'southward nutrition, information technology is of import to keep increasing the amount of water to help process the added fiber.

How much fluid does your family need? Read more than here: Hydration to Prevent Constipation for the Family

Is my baby constipated?

Salubrious babies under 6 months are unlikely to experience constipation because they receive adequate hydration and nutrients from breastmilk or formula or a combination.

Remember that it's very mutual for your infant to grunt, strain, and plough red while passing stool since their abdominal muscles are all the same weak so they must work harder to have a bowel move. Equally they become older and their muscles get stronger, they'll be able to pass stool much easier!

Reasons babies under vi months may get constipated:

• Incorrect grooming of formula. Always make sure to add h2o first, so the formula pulverization afterward, so that babe is getting enough fluids and to ensure the formula is non concentrated.
• Intolerance or allergy. Certain proteins in formula may cause constipation if your baby is non tolerating them well. And while rare, a breastfed baby may experience constipation if allergic to some of the foods mom is eating.^{3, 4}
• Solid foods before 4 months. Adding cereal or other solid foods before baby is 4 months one-time may too create constipation and other issues.

Contrary to pop belief, recent studies take found that formulas with iron do not necessarily crusade more constipation than formulas without iron.^{v, 6}

What are the signs of babe constipation? ^seven

• Excessive fussiness
• Spitting upward more than usual
• Unusually hard stools, sometimes with blood
• Straining for more than 10 minutes without passing stool
• Having considerably fewer bowel movements than normal

Will starting solids crusade constipation?

Firmer, less regular bowel movements are common in one case your little i starts solid foods (likely around vi months). This is because the digestive track needs fourth dimension to arrange to digesting.  Think almost it this way: solid foods 'in' equals more solid poops 'out'!  Notation that some straining during bowel movements is normal, as babies still have weak intestinal muscles.

Is my toddler constipated?

In one case in toddlerhood, constipation can occur if your child holds in his stools. The longer the stool stays in the colon, the harder it becomes since the body continues to blot fluids from it.  As more stool gets backed upward, the colon stretches, making it more than difficult for the colon to then push the stool out.

Some children filibuster passing stool because they don't want to stop playing, others feel embarrassment or stress about using the bathroom, while sometimes stool-withholding stems from fear of a painful bowel movement.¹

What are the signs of toddler constipation? ¹

• dry, difficult stools with pain upon passing
• blood streaks along the outside of the stool
• intestinal pain with hard and infrequent stools
• swollen or bloated intestinal
• pellet sized stools passed with straining or grunting
• standing on tiptoes and rocking back and forth
• clenching buttocks muscles
• making dancelike movements
• stool or urine in underwear

Although constipation is more common in toddlers than babies, most cases aren't serious and more often than not final a short amount of time. Even though virtually cases aren't unsafe, information technology is important not to ignore symptoms or exit constipation untreated because it can lead to more serious wellness bug (such every bit fecal impaction, anal fissures, and rectal prolapse).

How do I help my infant with constipation?

Formula

When preparing formula, add together water first and so the powder to ensure baby is getting enough fluids. If constipation is consistent fifty-fifty with correct preparation of formula, speak with the pediatrician about additional signs that your little i may not exist tolerating the formula well.

Fifty-fifty though research indicates that iron in formula may not cause constipation, all babies are different. If you experience this is the cause, telephone call the pediatrician before switching to a low -atomic number 26 formula, as iron is important for growth and development.

Breastfeeding

While a baby having an allergy and intolerance to the foods you lot eat is not common, it's as well not unheard of.  If you are breastfeeding and are concerned about your baby reacting to foods you are eating, contact the pediatrician for more information.

You lot can also reach out to our team of registered dietitians and lactation consultants for free to discuss how to alter your diet if that is what your pediatrician recommends. They're here to help on our live chat from Monday – Fri 8am-8pm (EST), and Saturday – Sunday 8am-4pm (EST).  Chat them here.

Learn more: Constipation in Breastfed Children

If needed, a small amount of 100% prune, apple, or pear juice may be added to formula or breastmilk equally long equally babe is older than four weeks. The general recommendation is to give 1 oz per day for every month of life up to 4 months. For example, a 3 calendar month one-time would be immune to accept three oz per day.⁷

Exist sure to hash out with your dr. before providing your babe with juice. Note that juice is non recommended for infants younger than 1 yr old at whatever other time.

If these dietary changes do non work, or if you lot are at all concerned, call the pediatrician.

How practice I help my toddler with constipation?

Continue your child hydrated

Keeping your kid well hydrated will assistance forestall and alleviate constipation. Choose water as the main source of hydration and limit drinks such as fruit juices (and no juice under the age of 1). And remember that in addition to fluids, fresh fruits and vegetables tin can also contribute to proper hydration.

Include lots of cobweb in your child'southward diet

The recommended amount of fiber for toddlers (children i-3 years old) is virtually xix grams of fiber per day.⁸ For babies six months and upward, just aim to introduce veggies and fruit, in the texture your little one can handle, multiple times per 24-hour interval.

Include lots of vegetables, fruits, beans, and whole grains in your kid's nutrition to help encounter this goal.

Examples of foods with cobweb include apples and pears (proceed the skin on for added fiber), berries, prunes, sweetness potatoes, peas, broccoli, beans, oatmeal and whole grain bread or pasta. Yous can't go wrong with vegetables and fruits so offer a diversity daily. The goal is ane fruit or veggie at each meal and snack.

For reference, half a loving cup of cooked beans has about 6-9 grams of fiber, 1 pocket-size apple with skin has nigh 3 grams of cobweb and half a cup of broccoli or greens has most 3 grams of cobweb.

Check the nutrition facts console on whole grains to determine the corporeality of cobweb they provide.

Learn more virtually how much fiber is needed and where to go it:  Why Fiber Matters for Babies, Tots, and Mama, and Including More Whole Grains In Your Daily Diet

Avoid too many depression cobweb foods

Examples of foods that are either low in or don't have any cobweb include cheese, chips, ice cream, white breads and refined grains (such as white rice), and many candy foods. Endeavor swapping out low fiber foods for those high in fiber.

Endeavor probiotics

Probiotics, or good for you gut bacteria, may also be helpful in relieving constipation.^{9, 10, 11} Try adding yogurt or other foods with added probiotics to your trivial one's daily eating design.

Breastmilk contains both probiotics and prebiotics, which take been shown to be beneficial for gut health in people of all ages. Research on formulas with prebiotics shown that they may lead to amend stool consistency and frequency in infants.¹² So if your babe struggles with constipation and all other dietary changes have non helped, choosing a formula with prebiotics may be beneficial.

Larn more than nigh probiotics here: Probiotics 101

Massage your baby

The "I love you lot" massage for babies and toddlers can be helpful in reducing constipation, abdominal hurting, bloating, and gas.

Read Babe massage: Benefits and techniques for all the details.

Encourage your child to move his bowels

When potty training, ask your child oftentimes if he needs to use the bathroom and visit the bathroom regularly even if your kid does not enquire to go. Assistance your child feel comfy using the bathroom in places other than your own abode.

If constipation persists, contact your healthcare provider

If your child is experiencing persistent constipation for 2 weeks or constipation accompanied by fever, vomiting, blood in stool, swollen belly or weight loss you should contact your kid'south pediatrician.

Practice not apply treatments such as mineral oil, stimulant laxatives, or enemas without consulting your child'due south pediatrician.

Let's Chat!

We know parenting frequently ways sleepless nights, stressful days, and countless questions and confusion, and we want to back up y'all in your feeding journey and beyond. Our Happy Baby Experts are a squad of lactation consultants and registered dietitians certified in infant and maternal nutrition – and they're all moms, likewise, which means they've been there and seen that. They're here to help on our free, live chat platform Monday – Fri 8am-8pm (EST), and Saturday – Sun 8am-4pm (EST). Conversation At present!

Read more most the experts that help write our content!

For more than on this topic, cheque out the post-obit articles:

Hydration to prevent constipation for the family unit

Why fiber matters for babies, tots, and mama

Include more whole grains in your daily diet

Baby massage benefits and techniques

Probiotics 101

Sources

1. NIH National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Difinition & Facts for Constipation in Children. Engagement accessed 29 June 2021. https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-data/digestive-diseases/constipation-children/definition-facts
2. American University of Pediatrics. Constipation in Children. Accessed 29 June 2021. https://www.healthychildren.org/English/wellness-issues/weather/abdominal/Pages/Constipation.aspx
3. Tabbers Grand, DiLorenzo C, Berger M, Faure C. Evaluation and Treatment of Functional Constipation in Infants and Children: Show-Based Recommendations from ESPGHAN and NASPGHAN. JPGN 2014;58: 258-274. Accessed 29 June 2021. https://www.naspghan.org/files/documents/pdfs/cme/jpgn/Evaluation_and_Treatment_of_Functional.24.pdf
4. Syrigou EI, Pitsios C, Panagiotou I, Chouliaras G, Kitsiou S, Kanariou Chiliad, Roma-Giannikou E. Food allergy-related paediatric constipation: the usefulness of atopy patch exam. Eur J Pediatr. 2011 Sep;170(9):1173-8. Accessed 29 June 2021. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21347849/
5. American Academy of Pediatrics. Iron Fortification of Infant Formulas. Pediatrics July 1999, 104 (1) 119-123. Accessed 29 June 2021. https://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/104/i/119
6. Singhal A, Morley R, Abbott R, Fairweather-Tait S, Stephenson T, Lucas A. Clinical safety of fe-fortified formulas. Pediatrics. 2000 Mar;105(three):E38. Accessed 29 June 2021. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10699140/
7. American University of Pediatrics. Infant Constipation. Accessed 29 June 2021. https://www.healthychildren.org/English language/ages-stages/baby/diapers-clothing/Pages/Infant-Constipation.aspx
8. NIH National Institute of Health. Nutrient Recommendations: Dietary Reference Intakes (DRI). Accessed on 29 June 2021. https://ods.od.nih.gov/HealthInformation/Dietary_Reference_Intakes.aspx
9. Kamiński M, Skonieczna-Żydecka M, Łoniewski I, Koulaouzidis A, Marlicz Westward. Are probiotics useful in the treatment of chronic idiopathic constipation in adults? A review of existing systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and recommendations.Prz Gastroenterol. 2020;15(2):103-118. Accessed 29 June 2021. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7294971/
10. adeghzadeh M, Rabieefar A, Khoshnevisasl P, Mousavinasab N, Eftekhari Grand. The effect of probiotics on childhood constipation: a randomized controlled double blind clinical trial. Int J Pediatr. 2014;2014:937212. doi: ten.1155/2014/937212. Epub 2022 Apr 9. Accessed 29 June 2021. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24812563/
11. Bu LN, Chang MH, Ni YH, Chen HL, Cheng CC. Lactobacillus casei rhamnosus Lcr35 in children with chronic constipation. Pediatr Int. 2007 Aug;49(iv):485-90. Accessed 29 June 2022 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17587273/
12. American Academy of Pediatrics. Probiotics in Infant Formula. Accessed 29 June 2022 https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/baby/formula-feeding/Pages/Probiotics-in-Infant-Formula.aspx

edwardsworgalenly.blogspot.com

Source: https://www.happyfamilyorganics.com/learning-center/toddler/constipation-in-older-babies-and-toddlers/#:~:text=Inadequate%20hydration%20is%20the%20likely,hydrated%20and%20bowels%20moving%20regularly.

Share this post