cute babies

ALWAYS OBTAIN THE CONSENT OF YOUR CHILD'S DOCTOR BEFORE INTRODUCING NEW FOODS, JUICES OR WATER TO YOUR BABY.

• If your baby is eating rice cereal, try switching to an oat, barley or mixed grain cereal (note: these may not be suitable if your baby is under 6 months of age). Alternatively, learn more about introducing easily digestible avocado or sweet potato as suitable alternative first foods.
• Mix the cereal with a little prune juice, or give him fruit juice diluted with cooled, boiled water. Try 1oz of juice in 4oz of water initially - if this doesn't help, try diluting the juice with 2oz of water. Offer this diluted juice every morning and evening, until the stools soften.
• Add pureed fruits or vegetables to his cereal.
• Offer other foods that help soften stools - these include pears (a gentle but effective option that we recommend trying first), peaches, apricots, plums and peas.
• If baby is bottle fed, offer him cooled, boiled water to prevent dehydration, particularly in warm conditions.
• If baby is breastfed, increase the frequency of feeds.
• Massage baby's tummy gently, in a clockwise direction, starting at his navel and moving outwards.
• Give him a warm bath - this will make him feel relaxed (if he enjoys his baths!) and you can continue the massage technique to "get things moving" and relieve discomfort.
• 'Cycle' baby's legs - this exerts gentle pressure on his intestines by moving the muscles in his tummy. Simply put him on his back, hold his legs and turn them gently, but quickly, in a cycling motion.
• If hard stools have caused tears to baby's anus, alert his doctor and use Vaseline to protect his delicate skin.