Constipation in the baby

Constipation in the baby is the difficult or infrequent passage of stool. In breastfed babies it is a very rare occurrence. It is more common in babies fed with

The bowel rhythm can be very different from one baby to another. There are babies who have a bowel movement every day and others every two or three days, both babies having a normal bowel habit. The Pediatrician will always have to assess it.

Do not think about constipation if an infant under six months of age makes a lot of effort to defecate (turns red, lifts legs, and pushes) but does not cry when defecating. It is a normal situation for the young infant.

Symptoms

Defecation is painful, infrequent (more than 4 days without defecation), the abdomen is swollen and we see the baby upset.

It is frequent that, as a consequence of constipation, the baby presents some anal fissure that makes defecation painful and ringworm of the stool with thin blood.

Causes of constipation in the baby

• Poor preparation of the bottles (very concentrated, that is, adding more scoops of powdered milk than recommended).
• Diet low in fiber and fluids.
• Diet changes (when solid foods or artificial milk are introduced).
• Family predisposition (genetics; the father or mother also suffers from constipation).
• Anal fissure (the baby refuses to defecate because it hurts).
• Intestinal problems: congenital megacolon.
• hypothyroidism

In 90% of cases, constipation is of unknown cause, without a justifying cause. It is called functional constipation.

Treatment of functional constipation

It should be primarily a dietary treatment. The bottles must be prepared correctly; If the baby begins to have a diversified diet, make it rich in fiber.

Offering your child water throughout the day to ensure good hydration can help them to have an easy bowel movement.

In the most serious cases, laxatives, suppositories or enemas prescribed by the pediatrician will be used.

When to consult the Pediatrician

• The baby cries when he has a bowel movement.
• There are streaks of blood in the stool.
• If the stool is delayed more than three or four days (and it is not your usual rhythm).
• If there are doubts about how to treat constipation.