Infant Constipation
Constipation affects both young and old. This article discusses a number of
topics related to infant constipation, including chronic constipation in
infants and infant constipation remedies.
Constipation in Babies
Infant constipation can be quite common and is usually attributed to the
same causes as adult cases, including dietary choices, improper fluid intake,
illness or medication. Stools that accumulate in the intestine become difficult
to pass. For babies, this discomfort is even harder to take than an adult who
can better understand why they do not feel well.
Breast-fed babies rarely experience constipation over those who are
bottle-fed with formula. This is because newborns have an easier time digesting
breast milk than formula. An infant’s large intestine can break down more of
the proteins in breast milk, making for easier stool passage. Breast milk also
contains more motiline, a hormone that stimulates bowel movement. Breast-fed
babies have stools that appear yellow while bottle-fed babies have thicker,
greenish stools.
Just because newborns may not have a bowel movement for several days or even
a week, it does not mean that they should be diagnosed with infant
constipation. Babies up to six months old have varying frequencies to their
bowel movements regardless of whether they are breast-fed or bottle-fed. The
average tends to be about four times a day within the first few weeks and
declines to about two stools each day by the age of two.
The Beginning of Infant constipation
After six months, babies are typically introduced to semi-solid foods and
are eventually weaned off breast milk. When an infant reaches one, formula
tends to stop and milk is introduced along with a regular diet of food. Once
this happens, bowel movements become more regular and tend to be similar to
those of an adult.
Constipation in babies tends to occur with the introduction as solid food.
It takes time for their intestines to adapt to the additional nutrients.
Infants can also experience a faster rate of dehydration, which also
contributes to infant constipation.
Symptoms of Infant constipation
Some of the symptoms that accompany infant constipation include:
- Stomach ache
- Diarrhea
- Soiled underwear
- Hard stools
- Refusal to go to the bathroom
- Loss of appetite or not eating much despite being hungry, which
frequently happens with children who withhold bowel movements
Holding back a bowel movement happens quite frequently with infants who do
not understand why they should let it pass. Signs to look for in your child
are:
- Squatting
- Crossing legs
- Clenching buttocks
- Rocking
- Showing a red face
Infant constipation Remedies
Left untreated, chronic constipation in infants can occur, causing great
distress. To ensure that severe constipation in infants is not a diagnosis for
your child, there are a number of treatments that can be easily implemented.
Constipation in babies has to be handled differently than an adult who can
simply increase their intake of fiber, fruits, vegetables, and water. It is
best to first consult your pediatrician before using any infant constipation
remedy, particularly if your baby is less than one-year old.
Here are some tips on treating infant constipation:
- If your baby is bottle-fed, make sure that you are filling the bottle
first with water and then mixing the proper amount of formula per the
instructions on the can.
- Pay attention to what kinds of solid food should be introduced at what
age. Quantity is also important. Too many green vegetables or high fiber
cereals are not good for babies. Gradually introduce new foods into their
diet.
- Try to introduce water as a daily habit at a young age versus sugary
fruit juices or colas.
- Relax your baby with a gentle stomach massage, using baby oil or cream in
a clockwise motion from the naval outwards, or a warm bath.
- Consult your pediatrician and get guidance on any type of medication that
can be prescribed. Do not use any type of medicine independent of the
doctor’s advice.
- Lay your baby on their back and move their legs as if they are riding a
bicycle, which creates a movement that can stimulate a bowel movement.
While food is usually the reason for infant constipation, there may be rare
cases where there is a more serious disease that has yet to manifest itself. If
your baby is not gaining weight or if it has other symptoms, consult your
pediatrician as soon as possible. |
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