Baby Constipation Relief: At-Home Techniques to Help Your Gassy, Fussy Baby

By Jesse Lillejord

Baby Constipation Relief: At-Home Techniques to Help Your Gassy, Fussy Baby

Is Your Baby Constipated, Gassy, or Extra Fussy?

Few things are harder than watching your baby struggle with tummy discomfort.

Whether your baby hasn't pooped in a few days, seems unusually gassy, or is simply more irritable than normal, digestive discomfort can impact sleep, feeding, and overall happiness.

The good news? There are several gentle techniques you can try at home to help encourage better movement through the digestive system.

Why Babies Get Constipated

Babies experience tremendous growth during their first year.

As they develop head control, start tummy time, roll, sit, crawl, and eventually walk, their spine and pelvis are constantly changing.

These developmental milestones can sometimes create additional tension through the low back and pelvis. Since the nerves that help regulate bowel function travel through this area, tension can occasionally contribute to digestive sluggishness.

This is one reason many parents notice constipation or increased fussiness during growth spurts.

1. Football Hold Sacral Pumping

This is one of our favorite techniques for helping babies relax their low back and pelvis.

How to do it:

  • Hold your baby in a football hold.

  • Support their head with your elbow.

  • Support their bottom with your hand.

  • Gently pump their pelvis up and down.

This movement helps improve mobility through the pelvis and may encourage better digestive movement.

Click here to be taken right to this stretch in our HOME TECHNIQUES video on YouTube :

2. The "I Love You" Tummy Massage

This classic massage follows the natural path of the colon.

How to do it:

  • Lay your baby on their back.

  • Use three fingers.

  • Trace an "I" up the right side three times.

  • Trace an "L" across the belly three times.

  • Trace an upside-down "U" three times.

  • Finish with gentle downward strokes on the left side.

The left side is where stool exits the body, so this can be especially helpful for encouraging movement.

Click here to be taken right to this stretch in our HOME TECHNIQUES video on YouTube :

3. Glute Massage for Pelvic Floor Relaxation

The pelvic floor plays an important role in bowel function.

Gentle massage through the glute muscles may help stimulate the pudendal nerves and encourage relaxation.

How to do it:

  • Place your baby on their tummy.

  • Use your thumbs to gently massage the center of the glute muscles.

  • Apply enough pressure to engage the muscles without causing discomfort.

Click here to be taken right to this stretch in our HOME TECHNIQUES video on YouTube :

4. Piriformis Stretch

The piriformis muscle connects the sacrum to the hip.

How to do it:

  • Place one finger into the glute area.

  • Gently move your baby's leg out to the side.

  • Repeat on both sides.

You may notice one side feels tighter than the other.

Click here to be taken right to this stretch in our HOME TECHNIQUES video on YouTube :

5. Knee Drives

Knee drives help improve mobility through the hips and pelvis.

How to do it:

  • With your baby on their tummy, gently bend one knee.

  • Bring the knee forward toward the hip.

  • Repeat on both sides.

Click here to be taken right to this stretch in our HOME TECHNIQUES video on YouTube :

6. Knee Compressions for Gas Relief

This is often a parent favorite because you can sometimes hear gas moving immediately.

How to do it:

  • Lay your baby on their back.

  • Bring both knees toward the belly.

  • Compress gently.

  • Move slightly right and compress.

  • Move slightly left and compress.

  • Finish with a sweeping motion from right to left.

Click here to be taken right to this stretch in our HOME TECHNIQUES video on YouTube :

7. Figure Four Stretch

The figure four stretch helps improve hip and pelvic mobility.

How to do it:

  • Bring one ankle across the opposite thigh.

  • Gently compress.

  • Repeat on both sides.

Older babies often tolerate this stretch better while sitting upright in a parent's lap.

Click here to be taken right to this stretch in our HOME TECHNIQUES video on YouTube :

When Should You Seek Additional Help?

If constipation becomes a recurring issue, especially during growth spurts, it may be helpful to have your baby evaluated.

At Chiro for Moms, we assess pelvic mobility, spinal movement, muscle tension, and overall nervous system function to help support your baby's comfort and development.

Need More Support?

If your baby is struggling with constipation, gas, reflux, or overall tension, schedule an appointment with our team. We specialize in gentle chiropractic care for babies, children, and mothers.

 

Medical Disclaimer: Educational purposes only. Always consult your pediatrician regarding persistent constipation, feeding concerns, or changes in your baby's health.

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