How to cure constipation in babies

Just like adults, occasional constipation affects children and infants. So when babies are constipated, what should parents do to avoid discomfort and cause digestive problems later on?

To determine if an infant is constipated, it is important that you know what normal infant stools look like. The frequency of your baby's bowel movements can vary from day to day and every baby is different, but most babies will have a bowel movement for the first few weeks of life.
Then, after about 3 to 6 weeks of age, breastfed babies will usually have fewer bowel movements, even some babies only once or twice a week without being constipated. This is because breast milk produces almost no solid waste that needs to be eliminated from the digestive system.
Formula fed babies tend to have bowel movements once a day or every other day and have a larger stool volume than breastfed babies.
In terms of consistency, a normal infant's stool should be soft, like peanut butter. An infant's bowel movements infrequently, straining, or whining during bowel movements do not mean that the child is constipated if the stools are soft.

Constipation in babies is not common, you can suspect that your baby is constipated if your child has the following signs:
The child has difficulty passing stools, the stool is shaped like a small ball. Children may arch their backs or cry when it is difficult to have a bowel movement. Remember that babies often strain to have a bowel movement. If your baby has soft stools after pushing, he may not be constipated. Your baby's bowel movements are less frequent than usual.

Constipation is rare in infants, especially when they have not yet eaten solid foods. Constipation is more common when you start giving your baby solid foods. The texture and frequency of bowel movements will vary depending on your baby's age and what she's been eating lately.
Constipation can occur in children with specific medical conditions, such as spina bifida, Down syndrome and cerebral palsy, or as a side effect of many medications.
In rare cases, infant constipation can be caused by a pre-existing condition, such as Hirschsprung's disease, hypothyroidism, or cystic fibrosis. Contact and consult your doctor if you suspect your child is constipated due to any of the above reasons.

Infants with constipation should be carefully evaluated by a pediatrician. Poor suckling leads to dehydration and constipation, so it's important to assess your baby's weight and feeding habits.
If your baby is constipated after starting solid foods, adding some of the following foods to the diet is also a way to help babies with constipation, and it is important to consult a doctor to build a healthy diet.
Drinking water: Make sure that your baby gets enough fluids every day. If your baby is over 6 months old, give him some water in a small cup with his meal. However, this cannot replace breast milk or formula. Fruit juice: Drinking pure fruit juices such as apple or pear juice can help, loosen stools and relieve constipation. These juices contain sorbitol, which acts like a natural laxative. Certain fruits and vegetables: Once your baby has solid foods, offer pureed foods like pears, peaches, and peas. Eating these fruits is also a cure for infant constipation because they contain more fiber than other fruits and vegetables. Cereal for babies. Try giving your baby a wheat, barley, or multi-grain infant cereal after he's been eating solid foods. These three types contain more fiber than rice cereals.

A few baby constipation tips:
Help relax the bowels by giving your baby a warm bath. Massage your baby's tummy gently in a clockwise direction, making a circular but firm motion from the navel outward. lightly. Lay the child on his back and gently move his or her legs similar to a 'bicycle' motion. If dietary changes don't help your child's constipation, the doctor may use infant glycerin suppositories, which are placed in the child's rectum.
These suppositories are used only when necessary and under the guidance of a doctor, should not be abused. Do not use mineral oil, enema, constipation medication, or any stimulant laxative to treat infant constipation.
If you notice any of the following unusual signs and symptoms, take your child to a medical facility immediately for a check-up:
Vomiting Fever Fatigue Poor weight gain Anorexia Stomach upset Blood mixed in Stool Small changes to your diet can help relieve constipation, such as drinking more water and foods high in fiber. If these dietary changes do not improve constipation in your child, contact your pediatrician for adequate treatment and care.
If you apply many different measures, but the infant's constipation still does not improve, you should take the baby to a medical facility for early examination, to avoid this situation prolonging and seriously affecting the health of the baby. baby's health. Parents can contact or go directly to Vinmec International General Hospital for neonatal pediatricians to consult and examine.