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Honestly, no parent is at peace when the baby is passing hard stool or struggling with defecation. It is even a bigger problem if you’re not sure of the right formula to switch to for comfortable defecation.
Fortunately, there are a few amazing formulas available that will help your child to bowel soft poop just within a couple of days. In this guide, we’ll take a look at the best formula for constipation to help make the work easier for you.
Top 5 Best Formula for Constipation in 2020
What we love most about this formula is the fact that it is exclusively formulated for constipated babies. It is a mixture of digestible proteins and probiotics that promotes the formation of soft stools.
Since the proteins are digestible, the baby will poop several times in a day without screaming and straining. Plus, there are no gassy or stomach issues like it is the case with lactose-based formulas.
There are Omega 3 DHA, and choline essential for brain development; vitamins blend for immune support and a host of 30 other nutrients for healthy body growth.
The formula is a whole diet with all the nutrients the baby needs for the first year. The whole container has a total of 81.6 ounces of formula milk powder.
Pros
- Digestible proteins
- Soft and regular bowel
- No gas and stomach pains
Cons
- Taste may be weird
Instead of lactose, the Gerber Good Start is formulated with soy that helps in averting gas and fussiness that is highly associated with lactose-based formulas.
Soy is easier to digest by the underdeveloped tummies so the baby will not get constipated. In addition to soy, there is DHA that helps in healthy brain and eye development.
The formula also contains whole ingredients such as real veggies, grain and fruits to nourish your child from the word go. No cow milk or GMO ingredients are included in the formula.
It mixes well without clumping or feeling sticky. The flavor is excellent as well to suit the choosy babies.
Manufactured for babies between 9 and 24-months, this formula is designed to be tolerant to the tiny tummies while providing all the nutrients for healthy growth.
Pros
- Mixes well without clumping
- The flavor is great
- Affordable formula
Cons
- We wish the container was larger
The formula is nutritionally whole with thoughtfully selected ingredients of high standards. No artificially modified hormone is included in the formula.
Constituting the formula is DHA, OptiGRO, Vitamin E, Lutein and other special nutrients also present in breastfed milk to support the growth of brain, eye, immune system and overall body development.
All the ingredients are easy to digest for potentially constipated babies. Not to mention that the number one trusted formula does not require preparation like it’s the case with powdered baby formulas.
If you’re looking for a ready to feed formula for constipation, then this Similac formula will be a favorite choice. It tastes great and most babies will enjoy it while drinking.
Pros
- Complete diet with every nutrient
- No fussy or stomach upsets
- No preparation is needed
Cons
- Expensive when compared to powdered formulas
The Similac formula is designed with all the nutrients the baby needs for healthiest growth. Within the formula is every nutrient the baby needs from when they’re born up to when the baby is 1-year after birth.
The infant formula is made with Lutein, Vitamin E, DHA, OptiGRO and other nutritious ingredients for normal body growth.
DHA is crucial for eye and brain growth while probiotic is responsible for soft and normal poop. There are GMO ingredients incorporated in the baby milk formula.
The formula mixes easily and is very gentle in the tiny tummies. It does not form gas bubbles nor make the baby to be colicky, constipated or to spit up. The price is also affordable when compared to local stores.
Pros
- Has all the requirements for the baby’s growth
- No colicky or gas issues
- Price is best
Cons
- Can is small
The package is comprised of 6-20-ounce cans of milk powder. The formula is a blend of Omega 3 DHA and MFGM which is a fat protein blend apparently present in a mom’s breast milk.
The fat protein blend has clinically been tested to lessen colic, gas, crying and fussiness within 24-hours. Recent clinical analysis has also found MFGM in formula milk to be responsible for cognitive support like the breast milk.
The complete nutrition also includes iron which is gentle than cow milk. There are probiotics as well for digestion and immune support amongst other nutrients inspired by breast milk.
We like how the formula is simple to prepare and the fact that the baby does not get constipated or gassy after feeding. The proteins present are simple to digest and there are no genetically engineered ingredients integrated within the formula.
Pros
- Gentle on tummy like breastfed milk
- Easy to digest
- No GMO ingredients
Cons
- A little costly
Considerations When Choosing a Formula for Constipation
Digestible Ingredients
Typically, babies get constipated since their digestive system is not able to handle the hard formula contents. For that reason, make sure the formula is closest to a mom’s breast milk for easy digestion.
Hydrolyzed proteins and soy are the easiest to digest. Stay away from cow milk, lactose and protein-based formulas if the baby is easily constipated after consuming. You can also look at reviews of users to see if the formula is gentle.
Available Nutrients
You need to make sure the formula will meet all nutritional needs for healthy growth. Lutein, DHA, Vitamin E and OptiGRO are the most crucial for important development milestones.
What Causes Constipation? Overview
Baby infant formula is not as simple as the breast milk. It is harder to digest since it does not contain dietary fibers apparently found in moms’ breast milk to aid in soft bowel.
The digestive system of infants is not well developed as well so, the formula contents may take long to get into gastrointestinal tract leading to constipation.
For new moms, taking long to bowel doesn’t necessarily means your baby is constipated. A formula fed baby can go one to three times for every couple of days which is quite normal. Breastfed babies may bowel once even after five days.
Also, getting red on face when pooping may be normal if the stool is apparently soft. However, if the bowel is hard, large or looking like pellets, that’s a sign of constipated baby. The baby is also constipated if the stool is difficult and painful to pass.
Signs That You Should Switch to a Different Formula
Mucus or Blood on Stool: The baby may get constipated if s/he is allergic and intolerant to lactose, cow milk and proteins present in the formula. During those moments, the baby may be crying and expressing abnormal discomfort when passing stool.
For that reason, you may switch to soy, hypoallergenic, lactose-free or hydrolyzed proteins-based formula. Unfortunately, some babies are also allergic to soy formula, but it has been proven to be better than cow milk or lactose-based formula.
How to Prevent Constipation in Babies
Before you switch to a different formula, it is advisable to consult a pediatrician to confirm to you if the baby indeed is suffering from constipation. From there:
- Seek advice on possible remedies or formula that may work well if the baby is actually constipated.
- Most babies will get constipated after introduction to solid foods. Fortunately, high fiber foods have been proven to address this issue by keeping the baby hydrated.
- Reduce the amount of constipating food. If you’re switching the baby from breast milk to solid foods, reduce hydrating foods such as carrots, rice, bananas amongst other seemingly constipating diets.
- If the baby is dehydrated, the body will not have sufficient fluids resulting in difficult bowel. You may try a few ounces of natural juice from apple, pear or prune for a couple of weeks if the baby is 8-months and above after birth.
- Make the baby active. You can do this by stretching the baby’s legs when laying on the back. Most inactive babies have constipation issues since the blood may not be circulating accordingly to the digestive parts.
- Rub the belly area gently and feel if there’s some firmness. Massaging the belly will help ease constipation if the belly is hard.
If it is a medical issue, although rarely, the doctor will advise on next steps to take to address the disorder. In most cases, it will signal a metabolic issue, digestive problem or anatomy disorder.
Wrapping Up
For new parents, it can be difficult to arrive at the best formula for a constipated baby. Enfamil Reguline Constipation Formula is the best formula for constipation in our opinion. What’s great about this formula is the probiotic and iron blend that Enfamil confirms as helpful in digestion.
Arriving at the best formula will keep you peaceful- knowing your baby will enjoy the diet and still have a comfortable time during defecation.