Diet for Constipation

Recommendations:

Babies
Babies who are breast-fed usually do not experience constipation, bottle fed infants often do. Dietary changes that may help alleviate constipation in infants are as follows.

1. Offer one to two ounces of apple or prune juice from the bottle or by spoon.

2. Babies who have advanced to solids may be offered more fruits and vegetables or small amounts of bran sprinkled on top of cereal (about one teaspoon).

3. Babies age birth to six month should receive most of their fluids from breast milk or formula.

Toddlers
Older babies and toddlers diets should start to reflect the recommendations of the food guide pyramid.

Offer fruits and vegetables with chunkier textures (as opposed to strained). Begin to offer more whole grain breads and cereals as your child begins to tolerate a wider variety of foods. Be sure your child is drinking adequate amounts of fluid, pay attention to this as formula or breast milk feedings decrease.

Children and Teens
The food guide pyramid is an excellent guide for choosing an appropriate diet. Choose whole grains, and plenty of fruits and vegetables. Bran cereals can help as do prunes and prune juice. Adequate fluid intake (8 to 10 cups a day) is also important in preventing constipation. Fluids other than water are acceptable in children because they require calories for growth.

Fluid requirements vary for children based on their size, activity level, and temperature. To assure adequate fluids offer water, milk, juice and other beverages often, more frequently during exercise and in extreme heat.

PERSISTENT (LONGER THAN ONE OR TWO DAYS) OR FREQUENT EPISODES OF CONSTIPATION SHOULD BE REPORTED TO YOUR HEALTH CARE PROVIDER.