 by Lyn Lomasi, Staff Writer When an infant has constipation, it can cause discomfort, and sometimes pain as well. Giving a baby medications to relieve constipation may not always be a preference or a choice. I have always preferred natural relief over medication when possible, especially when it comes to infants. These all natural ways to relieve constipation that are based on my own experiences as a mother, as well as research I've done over the years. Signs & Symptoms of Infant Constipation Symptoms and signs of infant constipation may include crankiness, no bowel movements for hours or longer, clenching fists, or small and hard bowel movements. The type of treatment a baby is given will depend on the infant's age. Warning About Using Corn Syrup in Young Infants If your baby is under 2 months of age and experiencing constipation, the pediatrician should be consulted on what to do. Some have been known to use corn syrup (or Karo syrup) as an all natural treatment for infants with constipation. According to information found on theMayoClinic website, this is not recommended and may not be safe. All Natural Ways to Relieve Infant Constipation Water - This may seem like a logical treatment. However, since infants don't typically drink water, it may not be a first thought. As long as an infant is over 2 months of age, try 2-4 ounces of water once or twice a day somewhere between feedings. Do not replace a feeding with water. Fruit Juice - If water does not seem to relieve infant constipation, another all natural way to try is fruit juice. Just as with the water, offer a baby over 2 months 2-4 ounces once or twice per day, in addition to regular feedings. If a baby will drink it, I've found infant prune juice to work the best. Light Tummy Rub - Gently rubbing an infant's tummy is also an all natural way to relieve infant constipation. Even if it doesn't relieve the constipation, it may calm and soothe the baby. Light Back Rub - If the tummy rub doesn't work, lie the baby on the stomach and gently rub the infant's back. Baby Fruit - If a baby is old enough (at least 4 months) and accustomed to spoon feeding, you might try feeding him or her a baby fruit, such as prunes, peaches, or pears a couple times per day. If these all natural ways to relieve infant constipation do not seem to work, it is best to contact your child's pediatrician for advice. Also, pay attention to your infant and look for other symptoms that may warrant a visit to the doctor. Some of these signs can include vomiting or crankiness that cannot be soothed. -- Note that the author is not a licensed medical professional. The above is provided for informational purposes. Always consult a licensed medical professional for any advice pertaining to health matters. *I originally published this content via Yahoo Contributor Network | |
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 by Lyn Lomasi, Staff Writer
Diaper rash is a very common ailment among babies. There are so many different remedies out there. But there’s no need to waste time researching and buying any of them. As an experienced nanny and mom of many, I found the most effective cure for diaper rash was also the simplest one. Step One: Bath Time with Specific Soap As soon as you notice a sign of diaper rash, give your baby a lukewarm bath with a very mild, fragrance-free moisturizing soap. I prefer homemade soaps. But of course, not everyone feels like making homemade soaps. Health food stores usually have similar choices. Look for those with the least amount of ingredients, that have no fragrance, and that contain mostly moisturizers. Step Two: Air Dry Once your baby is done with the bath, pat the skin dry gently, with no rubbing. Then, place him or her on a towel to air dry with an open diaper underneath, in case of an accident. If your baby can play, provide some toys for entertainment. Leave the baby like this as often as possible until the rash is gone. The air helps keep moisture away from the affected area and should feel good on the rash. You will likely notice your baby is much happier without the diaper, for this reason. Step Three: Homemade Powdering If the simple air dry technique isn’t working, try making a homemade powder. Never use over-the-counter powders, as they contain talcum, fragrance, and other ingredients that can cause or worsen diaper rash. Talcum is also bad for your baby’s lungs. To make the homemade powder, simply heat up some plain, unbleached flour in a saucepan. Test the temperature and when it’s warm, but not too hot for baby, sprinkle the flour onto the baby’s skin and on the open diaper. Be careful not to allow the baby to inhale the flour. While it is less harmful than talcum powder, it is still not ideal for your baby to inhale it. Extra Tips I recommend never using the over-the-counter diaper rash treatments. With many babies, these can cause more problems than they resolve and are full of harsh chemicals. If the above advice isn’t working, it’s possible your baby may have a yeast infection, rather than diaper rash. It causes similar symptoms and looks similar. Yeast infections are extremely common in baby girls, due to the moisture from the diapers. Your pediatrician can prescribe medication safe for your baby, if this is the case. Switching from disposable to cloth diapers can help alleviate diaper rashes, especially frequent ones. The cloth helps your baby’s skin breathe easier. Disposable diapers also have chemicals and other harmful materials that may be causing your baby’s skin to get irritated. *I originally published a version of this elsewhere (no longer published there). |
Staff Authors
About Lyn
Lyn Lomasi's Founder & Community Manager of Write W.A.V.E. Media, which
spotlights writers for existing work, as well as encourages expression
while earning. Along with her amazing business & life partner, Richard Rowell, Lyn manages a freelance writer team.
She’s your content superhero to the rescue! Lyn's been writing web content for years & rescuing civilians from boring text since the age of three. SEO, custom content, web design, & other content nightmares are her dream come true! Lyn formerly acted as Community Manager & Advocate at Yahoo! Contributor Network, where she assisted writers with community, editing, technical, & other issues. Her work’s featured all over the web. From parenting, energy usage, pets, homelessness, to reducing waste & more, Lyn’s committed to saving the Earth as a whole. For the self-made momtrepreneur, sustainability is a way of life and a labor of love. She’s raising her kids and pets in Colorado. Facebook: Lyn Lomasi Twitter: @LynLomasi About Richard
Richard
Rowell is a freelance blogger and creative writer who writes on a wide
array of topics including marketing, positive thinking, writing advice,
and more.
He is a staff writer and co-owner of the Write W.A.V.E. Media Network, contributing to various sites in the network, such as Article Writer for Hire, Life Successfully, and Write W.A.V.E. Media itself. Today, Richard focuses on producing high-quality content to help clients become thought leaders in their respective fields. He is also happy to coach anyone who wants to become a better writer, and is open to help anyone critique, edit and proof their work. He loves cats, music, and giraffes. Twitter: @richardarowell & @thewriterrich Facebook: Richard Rowell Archives
July 2016
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