Oranges are known for their antioxidant and Vitamin C properties. The fruit has so many nutritional properties that helps in boosting your immunity too. Orange juice for baby helps in relieving constipation to a great extent. Orange juice can be introduced to babies from an age of 10 months in small amounts. If you are a mother who is often concerned about her baby’s constipation, this article will resolve all your queries to relieve constipation in babies quickly.
Common Causes for Constipation in Babies
Babies suffer from constipation when it is difficult for them to pass stools. In the first month, most babies have bowel movements for at least once a day. Irregular bowel movements can also cause discomfort in babies. At times, your baby may face difficulty in passing stools. They may cry or strain themselves during bowel movements. However, this doesn’t mean that they are constipated. Hard stools could also cause strain in babies. Here are some common causes for constipation in babies.
- Not eating foods rich in fibre
- Not drinking enough water or fluids
- Not using the toilet frequently
- Some underlying disease in the bowel
It should be noted that breastfed newborn constipation is not a common occurrence. Switching from a liquid diet to semi-solid foods could be the underlying reason behind constipation.
How to Use Orange Juice for Baby Constipation
Oranges are acidic in nature and leave a burning sensation when consumed. Thus, it is advisable not to introduce oranges to your baby before 10-12 months of age. Do talk to your baby’s paediatrician before introducing them to oranges.
During the early stages of development, infants suffer from irregular bowel movements. This is because there is not enough amount of fibre introduced in your baby’s diet. Orange juice for baby helps in relieving constipation by improving bowel movement. For babies below the age of one, it is not advisable to feed your toddler with orange pulp.
When using orange juice for baby, make sure that you strain the pulp completely before giving it to your baby. Check for any seeds before juicing or blending the orange. Don’t be tempted to buy packaged juices for your baby as it contains many preservatives and artificial colours. Packaged juice also reduces the nutritional value of the juice. Watered down orange juice for baby’s constipation is a safer and more effective way of providing relief to your toddler.
How to Prepare Orange Juice for Baby Treating Constipation?
There are a few healthy recipes that mothers can prepare with orange juice to relieve constipation. Giving orange juice to your toddler 3-4 times a week can help in improving bowel movement. Make sure that your baby isn’t sensitive to citrus fruits. Give orange juice to your baby for 1-2 days to see how your baby responds to it and then slowly increase the quantity. Here is how you can use orange juice for baby constipation below the age of one:
1. Diluted orange juice for baby constipation
Take a teaspoon of orange juice with some cooled down boiled water. Boiled water will ensure that your baby is consuming a pure and germ-free mixture. Combining orange juice with cooled down boiled water will help in diluting the acidic taste of the orange juice. You may give this solution to your baby once to twice a day to relieve constipation.
2. Orange and honey juice
If you want to give your toddler orange as a part of a liquid diet, prepare a tasty orange juice for your baby. For this purpose, take 2 oranges and blend them in the juicer. After straining the pulp, add half a cup of water and a bit of honey for taste. If your baby is sensitive to acidic food, this tasty orange juice will sweeten the taste and make it easier for your baby to consume. Divide this juice into two portions, one in the morning and the other in the afternoon or evening.
3. Orange and prune juice to help baby pass stool
Another way to prepare orange juice for your baby’s constipation is a combination of diluted orange juice and prune juice. Take one portion of orange and prune juice and use three portions of water. The infusion of orange and prune juice relieves constipation at a faster pace. However, the combination may be a bit heavy on your baby’s digestive system. Ask your doctor once before giving this formula to your baby.
4. Orange sherbet
For making orange sherbet, you will need one apple and one orange. Blend the orange and apple together and strain the pulp. Add half to one cup of water to dilute the mixture. The amount of water you add is dependent on your baby’s resistance to the taste of the juice. Apples are rich in both dietary fibre and sorbitol. Both these nutrients help in relieving constipation. Thus, a combination of apple and orange juice gives your baby quicker relief from constipation.
How to know if your baby is constipated?
Sometimes parents may miss out on the signs of constipation. Most infants have their own schedule for bowel movement. However, if your baby is being fussier than usual or not eating properly, it could be due to constipation. Here are some ways mothers can know whether their baby is constipated or not:
- Facing problems in passing stools.
- Blood passing through stools.
- Infrequent bowel movements, i.e. less than four bowel movements a week.
- Pain in the abdomen.
- Being very fussy and facing discomfort because of not being able to pass stools.
Precautions to Be Taken While Giving Orange Juice for Baby’s Constipation
During the early months of your baby’s growth, you need to pay careful attention to your baby’s diet. After 6 months of age, when your baby starts adding semi solid foods to its diet, you need to make sure that your baby is prepared for this transition. Many parents have the recurring question, is orange juice safe? Orange juice does have some allergic properties that could affect your baby. However, with the necessary precautions, you can ensure that your baby doesn’t have any reaction to the orange juice. Here are some precautions you must take while giving orange juice for baby’s constipation:
- Your baby may have a reaction to oranges if introduced too early. Some babies suffer from rashes in the mouth and diaper rash due to the acidic nature of oranges.
- Always give your toddler orange in a diluted form.
- Do not offer more than 120 ml of orange juice a day.
- The best time to give your baby orange juice is during the morning. Never give your baby orange juice before bedtime.
- Always give your baby orange juice in a Sippy cup instead of a bottle.
- Too much of orange juice may affect the enamel of your baby’s milk teeth.
- Do not use previously cut fruits for making the orange juice. Always use fresh oranges.
Many doctors may not encourage giving your baby juices at an early stage. However, if your baby has begun having solid foods, you may give them orange juice as well. Oranges are a natural way for babies to relieve constipation. It prevents them from being dependent on laxatives from such an early stage. Mothers can now say goodbye to their baby’s constipation in a healthy and natural way.