Expert Answer: "Can I give Baby Hepar Water if he is constipated?" »

This mother whose baby has difficulty passing stool wonders: “My 2-month-old baby has been constipated for a few days. I was advised to give him Hepar water but I don't know if it's a good idea. What do you think ? »

The first months with Baby are a source of constant questions, especially about transit, which can be very variable. It's not easy to see an infant squirm and feel his embarrassment at not having a bowel movement. What to do in case of baby constipation? Should you prepare your bottle with Hépar water as we can sometimes read? Should we give him pure Hepar water?

Why is Hepar water said to be good for constipation?

Hépar water has a magnesium content of 119mg/l. It is therefore richer in magnesium than other mineral waters (we consider that water is rich in magnesium when it contains more than 50 mg/l). This mineral salt has an effect on accelerating intestinal transit and may be good in case of constipation.

Can you give Hepar water to babies?

If Hepar water can help adults and children over 3 years old to have a bowel movement, it is not suitable for toddlers. In fact, unlike other waters, there is no mention of “water for preparing baby bottles” on Hépar bottles. The other waters usually used for infants are much less rich in magnesium (Evian water, for example, contains 26mg/l). You can give magnesium-rich water to an infant, but in moderation, because this type of water is very mineralized. It should not be abused because of side effects such as diarrhea.

When is a baby considered constipated?

In general, a breastfed baby has a bowel movement at every feeding and a bottle-fed baby usually every day or 2 days, 3 days maximum. If after 4 days nothing happens, it is recommended to consult a pediatrician.

Paediatrician Raphaella Stern's response

In case of constipation, it is said to drink plenty of water. But before 6 months, we avoid giving pure water to Baby, except in cases of extreme heat. He hydrates with breast milk or a bottle. However, you can drink it yourself if you are breastfeeding! Mother's milk constipation is common, there are periods when the baby will have a bowel movement after each feeding, alternating with periods of constipation.

If you have to give Hepar water to your infant, it will be exceptionally and by mixing it with infant milk when you prepare his bottle. But above all, make sure that you use the right dose of powdered milk because it can affect transit: a level measure for 30 ml of water, neither more nor less!

If you feel any discomfort in your Baby, prepare a bottle with half the Hépar water and half the water you normally use. Do not do this every bottle (one in two) and not for more than 2-3 days.

In any case, if after 4-5 days, your baby has not had a bowel movement, contact your pediatrician, who will ask you questions in order to eliminate signs of medical emergencies, and may possibly examine if necessary. In case of artificial breastfeeding, there are specialized transit accelerator milks (for example with reduced casein content).

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