Infant constipation

It is the difficult or infrequent expulsion of stools, which are usually hard and scarce. It is usually accompanied by discomfort and pain when defecating. Each child has a different bowel rhythm, so it may be normal to have bowel movements three times a day or every three days.

Causes of constipation in infants

The use of artificial milk formulas can cause constipation more often than babies who are breastfed. Constipation is a common problem in infants who eat little fiber and many dairy products.

If the child has very marked constipation and abdominal swelling, other diseases that can cause it, such as hypothyroidism, must be ruled out.

However, the most common causes of constipation in infants are low fiber in the diet and family predisposition. It is what we call functional or idiomatic constipation (there is no disease that produces it) in which several factors intervene: diet, genetics, removal of the diaper or the beginning of nursery school.

Symptoms

The most common symptom is pain when defecating and abdominal discomfort. In the most extreme cases the abdomen can be swollen and hard.

Constipation can lead to certain complications in infants such as abdominal pain. In cases of fissures, during defecation the child has pain and blood can be observed in the stool; the fear of defecating because of the pain it causes can make constipation worse.

Treatment

The most important part in treating constipation is diet. The Pediatrician recommends a diet rich in fiber and drinking a sufficient amount of fluids.

The sources of fiber are fruits and natural juices with pulp (not packaged), vegetables and legumes. There are also fiber-fortified infant cereals.

If the constipation improves with the diet there is no need to give any laxative treatment. The child may also be helped by circular massages on the abdomen.

If there are anal fissures, they must be treated with an anti-inflammatory ointment.

Laxatives should never be given to a child without a Pediatrician's prescription.. Anal stimulation with sticks or glycerin suppositories are widely used by parents but their use must be very exceptional.

It must be taken into account that to treat constipation correctly, effort and patience on the part of the parents is required since the improvement is not usually immediate, and in addition the treatment must be maintained for a long time, since constipation tends to persist until the adult life.

When to go to the pediatrician

• If the child feels severe pain when defecating.
• If the infant does not have a bowel movement for more than three days.
• If you have blood in your stool.
• Little weight gain.