When you have a little one dealing with digestive discomfort, you may not know how to soothe their pain. You may be pleased to learn that there are baby foods that help with constipation!
Babies with constipation can be fussy, restless, and have a poor appetite. Foods that relieve constipation and help babies poop include things like prunes and sweet potatoes. Parents can often give these baby foods to their constipated baby and see results within a few days.
Our list contains healthy foods suitable for infants and older babies that can be made into delicious recipes! These tasty foods to help baby poop are easy to prepare and will help get things moving quickly.
Constipation Signs & Symptoms
Parents questioning what to feed a constipated baby is somewhat common. Things like teething and constipation can go hand and hand. There are also a variety of foods that make babies constipated and a baby can be constipated after starting solids. As you can see, constipation in children isn’t unheard of.
Constipation can strike at any time and occurs when your little one isn’t able to easily pass stool or gas. Common signs include:
- Hard, pebbly stool
- Straining to pass stool
- Blood in stool
- Swollen or distended stomach
- Irritability
- Difficulty sleeping
- Poor appetite
- Clear signs of pain or distress
Just because your baby doesn’t poop daily or what you consider a lot does not mean they are constipated. [1] Soft stools that pass easily every four to five days can be considered normal. If you are concerned about your baby’s bowel movements, talk to your child’s doctor.
What Foods Cause Constipation in Babies?
While there are plenty of high fiber foods for baby constipation there are also foods that have the opposite effect, causing constipation. What foods cause constipation in babies? Here are the most common:
- Pasta. Processed grains and gluten can be constipating for children. Babies with gluten sensitivity are especially sensitive.
- Rice Cereal. Rice is binding and can make it difficult to pass stool. Rice may also cause gas. Some parents offer rice cereal as first food, but an alternative that helps with constipation will be oatmeal instead of rice.
- Green Bananas. Unripe bananas, which are often green in color, have a lot of starch. The high amounts of starch contribute to constipation (and not to mention, surprise purple poop commonly seen in babies first introduced to bananas).
- Cheese. Cheese or dairy products can be especially binding and lead to constipation in babies.
- Baby Formula. Some baby formulas may lead to constipation. Finding the best formula for your child can help reduce digestive upset.
Finding out what things trigger your baby and either avoiding them or offering them infrequently is key.
You may be interested in: Can Babies Have Maple Syrup?
15 Baby Foods That Help with Constipation
You will notice that most of these foods have one thing in common: fiber. High fiber baby foods are great for both preventing and relieving constipation. Whole vegetables and fruits often contain fiber and other constipation-reducing properties.
As a bonus, high-fiber food for babies can easily be incorporated into great-tasting recipes.
#1 Prunes, a Classic Constipation Fighter
Prune baby food for constipation or simply plain prunes for baby constipation are excellent remedies. Prunes are simply dried plums, both of which are great baby foods to relieve constipation. They are plentiful in fiber, which helps to pass stool. They are also rich in vitamins and protein and have a sweet flavor!
#2 Peas Keep Stool Soft and Moving
Another “P” food, peas are great at keeping your child regular. They are also one of the first foods for infant constipation that can be offered to children as young as six months. Their blend of soluble and insoluble fiber helps to keep stool moving.
#3 Pears Can Help Your Baby Poop
While applesauce for constipation isn’t a great choice, “pear-sauce” is an excellent remedy! Pears have high amounts of fiber that can make going to the bathroom much more comfortable for your baby. They are also sweet and delicious when ripe. If ripe enough you may not even need to cook them; simply mash them up!
#4 Peaches Are Rich in Soft Stool Promoting Sorbitol
Peaches are a yummy treat and something you can turn to if you’re looking for baby food that’s good for constipation. They have fiber, vitamins, and minerals. Just make sure to leave the skin on as that is where most of the nutrients are!
#5 Beans Promote Regular Bowel Movements
We all know the song, “beans beans the magical fruit, the more you eat the more you toot!”. But did you know that beans are one of the best foods for a constipated baby? Beans contain more than 10 grams of fiber per serving (one cup). They possess both soluble and insoluble fiber to help keep food flowing through your baby’s intestines.
#6 Broccoli is Rich in Fiber to Ease Bowel Movements
Broccoli is yet another fibrous vegetable that can help keep your little one’s digestive tract moving. It’s also perfect for making finger foods for your kiddo! However, when considering this food for constipation in your baby, know that it can cause gas. It is best to offer it in moderation and can be made into a puree and added to other foods.
#7 Sweet Potatoes Are Full of Fiber to Ease Stool Straining
Sweet potatoes are a great choice for your baby’s first food. They are also awesome at making the stool soft and easy to pass. Many babies love sweet potatoes and enjoying them in moderation can help prevent them from becoming constipated.
#8 An Apple a Day to Keep Constipation Away
Considering apple juice for baby constipation or applesauce? It is better to stick with a simple apple. The nutrients found in apples, like sorbitol, fiber, and fructose are all beneficial for your child’s digestion. Also, the water content of apples can help keep things moving smoothly.
#9 Avocado Has Necessary Soluble and Insoluble Fiber
Avocado for babies’ constipation is a great choice because they contain soluble and insoluble fiber. Having both types makes them excellent at preventing and treating constipation. Not to mention avocado’s healthy fats and nutrients are healthy for your baby!
#10 Spinach Helps Stool Pass
As a leafy green veggie, spinach is bursting with fiber and as we know this is necessary for bowel movements that are soft and easy. Spinach is chock full of magnesium too, another digestive nutrient that can help push things through the colon. If your child is averse to vegetables, check out this guide on creative ways to make your kid eat veggies.
#11 Nuts Fiber Content Wards Off Constipation
The fiber found in nuts can help ease constipation in your child. Some of the best digestion-boosting nuts are pecans, almonds, and walnuts. However, take care when giving nuts to your little one. Follow your doctor’s guidance and blend them into nut butter if that is more suitable for your child’s age and development.
#12 Figs Are a Natural Laxative
If you’re looking to help flush out your baby’s colon, try dried figs! Perhaps the best baby food for constipation if you want fast results, figs can help relieve your child with just a few servings. Full of fiber and vitamin B6 figs are a powerhouse for your little one’s digestive system.
#13 Apricots Are Full of Dietary Fiber That Fights Constipation
Dried apricots are another member of the dried fruit family that is rich in fiber and sorbitol, two things that help treat and prevent constipation. They are also soft and delicious so your child will enjoy eating this constipation remedy!
#14 Papaya Can Prevent Hard Bowel Movements
Papaya is known to possess an enzyme called papain. Commonly it is used as a meat tenderizing agent but it is also excellent for digestion as it helps to form soft, easy-to-pass stools. Loaded with fiber and having a high water content, papaya is a great choice for little one’s straining to poop.
#15 Water for Soft, Regular Stools
While not really a food, if you are wondering what can I give my baby for constipation you cannot overlook water and liquids. Drinking enough fluids helps food move through your digestive system. It keeps stool soft and easy to pass. It also helps the digestive tract flush out toxins.
Not sure when babies can drink water and how much to consume? Children six to twelve months should have 4-8oz of water a day. Some parents resort to traditional herbal remedies like gripe water to resolve constipation problems in children but in the end, water is still the best fluid.
Feeding Your Constipated Baby – Recipes to Try
While the listed foods above are perfect for treating constipation, you can also combine them into delicious, digestive-friendly recipes! Give these tasty dishes a try.
Pear, Prune, and Clove Puree by babyfoode.com
- 3 medium pears
- 4 dried prunes without pits
- 1 cup hot water
- 1 pinch ground cloves
Core and cut up your pears. Steam them in a steamer basket over 2 inches of water in a pot on the stove until tender. Add the prunes to the hot water and let sit for 10 minutes. Drain the prunes and pears. Add them to a blender or food processor with the cloves and blend until smooth. Small amounts of water can be added to reach your desired consistency.
Blueberry Constipation Smoothie by yummytoddlerfood.com
- 1 cup plain kefir
- ½ cup frozen mango
- ½ cup frozen blueberries
- ½ cup zucchini or baby spinach
- 1 tablespoon avocado or coconut oil
- 1 tablespoon chia seeds or hemp seeds
Add all ingredients to a blender and blend until smooth. Serve immediately.
Prune, Apricot, and Ginger Oatmeal by buonapappa.net
- 1 cup old fashioned oats
- 1 pear
- 2 dried prunes
- 2 dried apricots
- 3 cups water
- 1 Tbsp vanilla extract
- 1 pinch fresh ginger
In a medium pot add oats, prunes, and apricots to boiling water. Simmer until water is absorbed, about 30 minutes. Add chopped pear and cook for 5 minutes. Add vanilla and ginger if desired. Blend with an immersion blender to reach desired consistency and chunk size. Cool and serve warm.
Kick Constipation to the Curb!
We hope you enjoyed our list and found it useful in finding what baby foods help with constipation. These foods can be used in moderation to both treat and help prevent difficult bowel movements. Remember to always serve food appropriate in size and texture for your child’s age.
If you have any anti-baby-constipation foods, share them on Pinterest at @babyjourney0183!
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