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2020-01-21 10:32:56
Compared to adults, babies
may go a longer time between bowel movements and it’s perfectly normal. Breast
milk is highly nutritious and it may happen that a baby’s body absorbs almost
all of it, leaving a few to go through the digestive tract.
Baby constipation is not
common but when it appears, it might be complicated to detect it as your baby won’t
be able to tell you when he/she’s having trouble pooping. For parents, this
kind of situation can be confusing. If your infant seems to be in pain or you
have any worries, call your doctor.
However, there’s very little basic facts you can keep in mind in order to help you understand how it affects
your baby.
-
Hard
or pellet-like bowel movements
-
Bowel
movements that appear difficult to pass, causing your baby to arch his or her
back or cry
-
Infrequent
or less frequent bowel movements
-
More
than three days since the last stool
-
Lack
of appetite
-
Firm
belly
-
Spitting
up more than usual
Don’t forget that each baby
is different, some may have a slower (but completely normal) gut and then won’t
go very often. It also varies depending on his/her age and what he or she is
eating. Babies are still developing and their abdominal muscles are weaker
which can also explain less regular bowel movements.
A first-line treatment that
may be recommended by a pediatrician is using home remedies. Indeed if a baby
is constipated some easy and natural tricks may solve the problem.
1. Exercise
Exercise for babies but also
adults, speed up digestion and stimulate bowel movements. In some cases, your
baby may not be walking or crawling yet, you can still help him or her to
exercise in order to solve constipation.
Leg bicycles gently your baby
may be helpful. While they are lying on their back move your baby’s legs just
like he or she was riding a bicycle.
2. Warm Bath
A warm bath will relax your
baby’s abdominal muscles and help him or her to stop straining. It may as well
relieve discomfort relating to constipation.
Your pediatrician may also
recommend a Sitz bath for your baby. Usually, adults use it to help relieve
pain in their bottom or around their private parts by sitting in warm water.
3. Dietary
Babies only breastfed won’t
generally get constipated very often but it can still happen. If that’s the
case, you might want to consider changing up your diet. Your baby might be
sensitive to something you’re eating.
For formula-fed babies, parents
may want to try a different type of formula. Always consult a pediatrician
first before switching to a gentle or dairy-free formula.
If your infant is already
eating solid foods, it might be wise to introduce foods that are good sources
of fiber. Fruits and vegetables can also help stimulate the bowels move