Should you give your baby prune juice for constipation? Does it work for baby constipation? When can a baby have prune juice? How to make prune juice for baby constipation? Well, I know as a mother this question must be puzzling up your mind. Don’t freq out!! just be relax.
Prune juice is known for laxative properties, and it works best to relieve constipation. It can be given to babies in the form of prunes puree (R) or prunes juice to treat constipation.
In this article, in the end, you will have a fair share of information about what you are not aware of the benefits of prune juice for infant constipation.
How To Spot Baby Constipation?
Lets us overlook some of the symptoms of baby constipation:-
- fear or avoidance of bowel movements
- pain or straining during bowel movements
- liquid or claylike substance in your child’s diaper or underwear between bowel movements
- fewer than three bowel movements per week for a non-breastfed baby
- stools large in diameter
- abdominal pain
- excessive crying along with hard stools
[Read: Irritable Bowel Syndrome In Children]
How Does Prunes Work For Baby Constipation?
Well, prunes juices are great for babies who are having a problem with constipation. Prunes are nothing both dried plums. Prunes juices are high in sorbitol content (R) in it which helps to fight the problem with constipation.
The prunes juices are rich in substances which has laxative and diuretic properties. If your child is over 1 year old, it’s generally safe to give them prune juice in small amounts to relieve constipation.
Prunes juices are also rich in iron, potassium, and other key and important vitamins. It is also reliable and safer than using medications in order to get rid of constipation in babies.
The very brownie point of prune to care, babies constipation is that it doesn’t have any harmful side effects on babies.
When Can A Baby Have Prune Juice?
As per the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends giving solid prunes only after the baby is six months old when he can have other solid foods such as fruits and vegetables.
If your child is over 1 year old, it’s generally safe to give them prune juice in small amounts to relieve constipation. However, prune juice is not recommended for infants younger than 1year old. (R) Talk to your baby’s pediatrician before giving any juice.
[Read: Foods To Relieve Constipation In Kids]
How Much Prune Juice To Give Baby For Constipation?
The amount of prune juice to be given to the babies all depends upon the age of the baby. But as per the AAP recommends giving no more than an ounce (30ml) of undiluted 100% prune juice every day to a month-old, constipated baby.
As the baby grows, the ounces of juice per day becomes equivalent to the baby’s age in months. Therefore, a two-month-old gets two ounces a day, a three-month-old gets three ounces, and so on up to six months.
For babies under 6 months dilute 1 tablespoon of prune juice in 2 to 3 ounces of water. You can begin also with 3 ounces and work down to 2 that will help the baby to get used to the taste of the juice.
Solid prunes can be integrated into the standard baby diet as finger foods. You can start with a couple of tablespoons of sliced prunes and increase it to four tablespoons once the baby is nine months old
How Long Does Prune Juice Take To Work For Baby Constipation?
The effects vary from one to another baby. For some of the babies, it takes several hours to produce bowel movement whereas for some it takes only a few minutes for the baby constipation.
However, the time frame doesn’t take any longer than 12 to 24 hours. That is the reason prune juice for newborn helps a lot in leading to the bowel movement
Some babies respond better than others. Give prunes to the baby until you see improvement in the little one’s bowel movements. Before giving the prune juice do refer to a pediatrician.
Side Effects Of Prune Juice For Baby:
Well, everything has its own pros and cons. Similar way excess prune juice has a negative effect on the baby as the prune juice is rich in laxative. So it may be harmful to the digestive system of the baby.
It can also cause diarrhea which as a result leads to watery bowel movements. So as I said above before you give prune juice for newborns do refer to a pediatrician.
How To Make Prune Juice For Baby Constipation?
The prune juice recipe for baby are as follows- it can be in two forms
Prune Puree:
For this, you have to-
- Soak the desired quantity of pitted prunes in warm water till they turn tender.
- Sieve out the prunes and transfer them to a blender. If you intend to make the puree thinner, add some water during the blending process
Prune Juice:
For this, you have to-
- Boil five cups of water, add one cup of pitted prunes to it and soak the prunes for about 12 hours.
- After 12 hours, the boiled water cools down, so transfer the water along with the prunes into a blender and blend them.
- Run the blended prunes through a sieve to remove solid particles. It should make about a liter of prune juice, which you can dilute by adding some water. You can also add some apple juice or pear juice as both relieve constipation. Once prepared, store the juice in an airtight container.
Prune juice is a healthier option for baby constipation. Prune juice can be also introduced as a baby first finger food. Prune juice is known for laxative properties, and it works best to relieve constipation. It can be given to babies in the form of prunes puree or prunes juice to treat constipation.
