Suggest A Stool Softener For An Infant Having Hard Stool And Constipation

Posted on Mon, 14 May 2018

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Mon, 14 May 2018 Answered on

Thu, 18 Jan 2024 Last reviewed on

Question : My 9 months old boy stool become very hard and he is finding very hard to pass it out. Could you please suggest any food or medication to make stool little soft.

Answered by Dr. Diptanshu Das (3 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Fluid intake and fruit intake needs to be increased

Detailed Answer:

Hi,

Constipation in a child of this age is most likely to occur due to less intake of water. Increasing the fluid intake should resolve the issue. If it does not, you need to increase the intake of fruits and fiber rich foods.

Fiber rich food items include:
* Apples, pears, parsnip, berries, raspberries, kumquats, guavas, squash, oranges, passion fuit, avocado, blackberries, pomogranate, currants, persimmons, kiwi fruits, figs, bananas, blueberries, cherries, apricots, strawberries, tangerines, papaya, mangoes, pineapple, plums, litchi, grapes, watermelon
* Broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, lettuce, brussels sprout, carrots, leafy vegetables and spinach, amaranth, artichokes, green peas, collard greens, XXXXXXX sweet potato, okra, fennel, eggplant/brinjal, sweetcorn, beets, turnip, asparagus, onions
* Legumes, beans, lentils, chickpeas, celery, soybean, navy beans, cranberry beans, french beans
* Whole grains, quinoa, brown rice, millets and oats, squash and pumpkin seeds, seasame seeds, dried coconut, almonds

I do not think that any medication is needed.

Feel free to write back.

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T