Orange Juice For Baby Constipation

If your baby has ever experienced constipation, it may have left you wondering how to help. Orange juice for baby constipation has long been hailed as a remedy for ridding a baby of constipation, but is it effective? We’ve set out to answer this question and more in today’s post about whether or not orange juice should be used to treat baby constipation. 

Orange Juice For Baby Constipation

Is Orange Juice Good for Constipation?

So, is orange juice good for constipation? 

Technically? Yes. 

Orange juice is good for constipation because it contains fiber which is great for helping bowels to move. If you aren’t able to get the full benefits of an orange itself, then orange juice – without added sugar – is a great alternative to keeping your bowels in check. 

With this in mind, it is also important to remember that there are a great number of juices that aid in constipation. In some cases, certain juices may be even more effective than orange juice. 

Can You Give a Baby Orange Juice?

Although orange juice is a great way to boost your fiber intake and to get your bowels moving, it isn’t such a great idea for constipation in babies.

Note that if your baby isn’t at the age when he or she is able to consume solids, then orange juice is not an option at all. Babies that are 6 months and under fall into this category.

On the flip side, even if your baby is eating solids, it still isn’t a great idea to give your baby orange juice, especially in large amounts. In fact, many pediatricians recommend holding off on all fruit juice until your baby is at least one year old. This is because the sugary and often acidic nature of the juice may upset your baby’s sensitive digestive system.

Orange Juice Toddler Constipation

If you wish to give your toddler orange juice to help with his or her constipation, that is perfectly acceptable. This is because your child is over the age of one and is likely able to consume orange juice without major complications. 

Still, there are several juice options that may be even more effective at moving your child’s bowels than orange juice. Some options include blueberry juice, pear juice, and prune juice. 

If you do decide to give your toddler orange juice, try diluting it with water. Doing so will make the juice less potent and your toddler can consume more of it without having any irritating effects on his or her digestive system. 

Orange Juice For Babies

Is Orange Good For Babies?

When it comes to the question of whether or not orange juice is good for babies, it’s best to understand the answer through the lens of age and nutrition. 

Orange juice is loaded with antioxidants, folate, and Vitamin C making it a wonderful and healthy drink to consume. Nevertheless, while the benefits of orange juice are many, the truth is that many babies simply cannot handle orange juice, especially under the age of six months. 

Because orange juice is acidic and can be irritating if given to a baby before his or her first birthday, we recommend not giving your baby orange juice until he or she is at least one year of age.

Watered Down Orange Juice Baby

Should watered-down orange juice be given to a baby? Again, we wouldn’t recommend it. 

Even in its diluted state, orange juice can still prove too much for baby digestive systems to handle, especially if your child is under the age of six months. 

If you must have your baby try orange juice, first make sure that your baby is at the age when he or she can eat solids. Never give orange juice to a baby that is younger than six months. 

Moreover, you must be sure to dilute the orange juice with water at a 1:1 ratio, or, if you’d prefer, give your baby only a teaspoon of orange juice every hour or so to see if it helps move his or her bowels. 

How Much Orange Juice Do You Give a Constipated Baby?

As mentioned, if you still plan to give your solids-ready baby orange juice, you may want to start with a teaspoon of orange juice every hour or so to see if that helps with constipation. 

Another option is to try boiling some water, cooling it, and then mixing it with an equal amount of orange juice. Specifically, you’ll want to do half an ounce of water with half an ounce of orange juice. Allow your baby to drink this and assess whether or not it helps with his or her bowels over the 24 hours that follow. 

What Age Can I Give My Baby Orange Juice?

The age at which you can safely give your baby orange juice is one year and up. Even then, you’ll want to watch how the orange juice affects your baby. 

Many parents note that acidic foods, including orange juice, lemons, and tomato sauce, can instigate diaper rashes in their children and even cause rashes around the mouth. 

If you notice rashes or that your baby has an upset stomach soon after eating acidic foods, you will want to hold off a few months before having your baby try that food again. 

Also, if you notice that your baby is only fussy at certain times and you’re left wondering “Why do babies get fussy in the evening?” the answer could be that they are in pain due to what they’ve been fed and that is their only way of communicating it.

Can a 1 Year Old Drink Orange Juice?

Yes, a 1-year-old may drink orange juice, but don’t overdo it. 

By now you know that orange juice is highly acidic and can cause your child stomach issues, but it is also important to bear in mind that doctors recommend that children have no more than 4 oz. of juice each day in addition to water, milk –breast milk or otherwise – and meals. 

Thus, orange juice should never be consumed in excess or used as a replacement for meals.

Orange Juice For Babies 6 Months

If your baby has started eating solids and you want to try giving your baby orange juice, we would advise against it. 

The acids in orange juice can prove too much for babies this age. Nevertheless, if you want your baby to try orange juice, you may give them a teaspoon or so of it. Or you try diluting it with water first. 

If you notice that your baby doesn’t respond well to the orange juice, you should stop giving it to them. Wait until he or she is at least one year old before trying again. 

Signs to look for that orange juice may have irritated your baby’s digestive system or skin are:

• excessive gas
• pulling up of the legs
• fussiness
• sudden onset of diaper rash 
• unexplained rashes around the mouth

Is your baby fussy while feeding bottle? If so, this is another sign that your baby’s digestive system may be upset. You’ll need to investigate further, even if you aren’t feeding your baby fruit juice. 

Orange Juice For 6 Month Old Baby For Constipation

Orange juice isn’t recommended for babies ages 6 months. But it also may not be the most effective method to relieve constipation in babies in the first place.

If your baby is eating solids, give them peas, beans, kiwi, blueberries (halved), or yogurt when trying to move your baby’s bowels. 

Raisins and prune juice also can work, but you will need to be careful with these too. The high sugar content in them both could end up causing your baby’s constipation to grow worse instead of better. 

What kind of juice can I give my baby for constipation?

Doctors often recommend pear, prune, apple, and blueberry juices for constipation. Do not give orange juice, pineapple juice, and other acidic juices as long as your baby remains under one year.

How can I stimulate my baby to poop?

How to Relieve Constipation in Babies Quickly

The best way to relieve constipation in babies is two-fold. 

First, make sure that your baby is well-hydrated. Perhaps your baby is old enough to eat solids.. Then you may give water along with his or her daily feedings to help flush his or her bowels. 

If your baby isn’t old enough to eat solids and is breastfed, you may find that increasing the amount of breast milk you give to your baby can also work to flush your baby’s bowels. 

If your baby is over the age of 6 months or is a toddler that struggles with constipation try the following: 

• Feed your baby peas, kiwi, blueberries, pears, and beans.
• Try giving your baby oatmeal.
• Give your baby a few tablespoons of plain sugarless yogurt that has been pureed with fruit to improved the taste. Do not add honey to the yogurt.
• Increase water intake.
• Steer clear of excessive dairy.
• Replace refined grains with whole grains including brown rice, whole-wheat pastas and whole-wheat breads. 

Orange Juice For Baby Constipation May Not Be the Best Option

All in all, despite the many benefits of orange juice, the truth is that orange juice may not be the best option for constipation, especially when it comes to babies. Instead of orange juice, you may consider giving babies that are eating solids a few tablespoons of yogurt or try feeding them beans, peas, or blueberries to help move their bowels. If your baby’s constipation doesn’t seem to clear up on its own, be sure to speak to your local pediatrician for more advice. 

Lynn

Lynn is a freelance writer, a wife, and a mother of two beautiful kids. Lynn started Infant Empire with the aim of making parenting easier for fellow mums and dads. She believes the parenting tips provided here will be of great help to all parents.