Constipation in a 2 month old baby

The article was consulted with Specialist II Chung Thi Mong Thuy - Pediatrician - Neonatologist - Department of Pediatrics - Neonatal, Vinmec Central Park International General Hospital.

Constipation is one of the problems parents need to take care of their children. In which, 1/3 of cases of constipation in children need the intervention of a pediatrician.
Causes of constipation in babies can be due to the baby not getting enough milk, lack of water or the mother switching from breast milk to formula milk that is not suitable for the baby's sugar, or milk allergy... One Some gastrointestinal malformations also cause constipation in children. Therefore, to overcome constipation in a 2-month-old baby, it is necessary to find the cause to help the child grow and develop better.

Breastfed babies often have easy bowel movements, many times a month, the number of bowel movements decreases, and the stools become thicker. At 2 months of age, breastfed babies have a bowel movement frequency of 1-2 times/day, stools are soft, crushed, mustard flower color, sour smell. In formula-fed babies, bowel movements may be less frequent, stools may be more solid and smelly.
Constipation in infants is when the child has a bowel movement less than 3 times a week, with dry, hard stools, the child has difficulty passing, the child has to push a lot or the child is in pain even refusing to go to the toilet every time. born.

Most babies who are exclusively breastfed will experience less constipation than formula fed babies because breast milk is easier to digest. However, constipation in breastfed babies can still occur, the main cause is that the baby sucks less, does not drink enough milk the body needs, leading to increased water reabsorption, causing dehydration. In some cases, the mother's diet is too strict, low in fiber can cause constipation for the baby.
In the remaining cases, formula-fed babies are more likely to experience constipation. In addition to the above-mentioned causes, children with constipation can be caused by diseases that cause constipation or children are taking medications that cause side effects. Mother's nutrition also affects children's bowel movements.

To overcome constipation in infants, the following methods can be applied:
Increase the amount of water in the child's body by increasing breastfeeding. Breast milk is easy to digest, so if the baby is fed enough, it will both help replenish the amount of water and help the digestive system work more smoothly. If the mother does not have enough milk, the baby can be fed several times. Besides, mothers also need to increase the intake of green vegetables and fruits to better excrete in breast milk. If constipation in formula-fed babies, parents and caregivers need to mix formula according to instructions, avoid thickening that can cause constipation in babies. Besides, parents also need to be careful in choosing the right type of formula milk for the baby's digestive system. Massage helps stimulate bowel movements, making it easier for your baby to have a bowel movement by gently rubbing the baby's belly in a clockwise direction, or doing the baby's foot pedal movement. When constipation in infants causes difficulty in defecation, causing the child to strain and not be able to pass, parents can use a soft cotton stick dipped in vegetable oil or honey to stimulate the child's anal area, helping the child bowel movements are easier, but this stimulation should not be repeated. In cases where the above methods have been applied but the constipation is not overcome, or the child does not gain weight, or has abnormal signs such as abdominal distension, vomiting, anorexia, fussiness, fever... Parents should take their children to medical facilities with pediatric specialties for timely diagnosis, detection and treatment.
Constipation in a 2-month-old infant can occur in both breastfed and formula-fed infants. There are several ways to help with your child's constipation. However, if applied but found ineffective, parents should take the child to see a doctor to find the cause and have appropriate and timely treatment.

Pediatrics department at Vinmec International General Hospital is the address chosen by many parents to examine and treat common diseases in children such as: constipation, otitis media, infectious fever, pneumonia in children. young,... With modern equipment, sterile space, minimizing the impact as well as the risk of disease spread, a team of leading specialists with rich professional experience will help with the examination and examination. It is no longer a concern for parents.