Babies who are only breastfed usually rarely experience constipation or difficulty defecating. This is because breast milk helps facilitate the digestion of the baby. Even so, unlike the case when babies begin to recognize solid foods, constipation can be a problem that must be faced. So, you must be smart to choose foods to prevent constipation in infants. Then, what are the foods that cause constipation?
Various foods that cause constipation in infants
1. Rice cereal
It is not surprising if the cause of constipation in infants is due to eating too much solid food. One of the solid foods that is often given to babies is rice cereal. Unfortunately, these foods can cause constipation due to low fiber.
However, you might be able to try jam and oatmeal cereal, because these foods contain more fiber. If necessary, add a small amount of plum juice to cereals to provide a more delicious flavor while helping to prevent constipation.
2. Banana
Bananas are often used as a complementary food for breast milk because in addition to its soft texture, this one fruit also has a sweet taste so many babies like it. Unfortunately, bananas are one of the causes of constipation for some people.
However, this only happens if you give a baby banana that is not perfectly cooked. Yes, raw bananas can cause constipation because they contain a type of starch that the body cannot digest. So, make sure the banana your little one will give you is fully cooked, huh.
3. Dairy products
If consumed in large quantities, dairy products, such as milk, yogurt, ice cream, or cheese can cause constipation. It is not certain whether this occurs because of milk itself or even a combination of these two things.
However, the high fat content and low fiber in dairy products can slow down the digestive process and trigger constipation. Not only that, the lactose content in milk is believed to cause flatulence or spasms.
This also applies to infants who consume formula milk. The reason is, if your baby drinks formula milk, there is a possible cause of constipation that he experiences comes from one of the protein components in formula milk.
Consult your doctor whether one of the ingredients in formula milk consumed is the cause of constipation or not.
Some tips you can do to prevent constipation in babies
For constipation in infants not to occur, make sure you always provide a menu of foods that are rich in fiber, such as vegetables and fruits.
This is because fiber-rich foods tend to be easier to digest and better to maintain intestinal health and facilitate bowel movements. Choose hard-soluble fiber derived from wheat and dark green vegetables, because the quality is more dense so it makes it easier for the intestines to move the intestines.
In addition to the types of good food, also complete the needs of children with sufficient water consumption. Therefore, to overcome this, invite children to drink more water. But remember, water cannot replace the role of breast milk.