The problems of proper digestion concern all, without exception, parents of newborns. Loving mom and dad carefully monitor how the baby eats and poops, and unexpected failures - loose stools or constipation - literally lead the parents into a panic state!
When is delayed bowel movement constipation?
The concept of constipation in an adult and in a baby is significantly different, so the mother should know what signs signal this problem and why it occurs in order to deal with it in a timely manner.
If a small child has no stool during the day or has certain difficulties with bowel movement, then we can talk about constipation.
The total number of daily bowel movements directly depends on the age of the baby and his nutrition. At first, it can reach 10 times a day, but as you grow older, this amount decreases significantly.
Very often, in newborn babies, the number of bowel movements is equal to the number of meals. Moreover, this option is considered the most ideal. In practice, most of the breastfed babies poop no more than 2 times a day by the age of 1 month, and the artificial and mixed-fed babies walk "big" only once a day. Moreover, in infants, the stool is more liquid, and feeding with a mixture leads to the formation of thicker and even hard feces.
The "correct" consistency of normal newborns' stool is mushy. In all other sealed variants, it is believed that the child has a tendency to constipation.
Lack of bowel movements during the day or bowel movements that do not occur daily may be an individual feature of the body for a particular child, and not a signal of constipation.
In infants, during the first 6 weeks after birth, bowel movements occur in small portions repeatedly throughout the day. Normal stool during this period of life is quite liquid, without an unpleasant odor, with white curdled lumps of mother's undigested milk.
A 4-month-old baby has excessively dense feces, severe difficulty with stool or a complete absence of it is considered constipation.
Usually, in a 6-month-old baby, these problems are normalized naturally, and the baby walks "big" only once a day. This is due to the fact that the baby's gastrointestinal tract has become more mature, digestive enzymes are produced by the baby's body in much larger quantities than immediately after birth. However, if the baby seems to poop regularly, but each bowel movement is accompanied by certain discomfort or even pain for the baby, he is capricious and cries loudly, then there is a high probability that he is constipated.
Signs of constipation:
- stool less than once a day
- lack of appetite
- bloating
- sleep disturbance, general anxiety, moodiness
- gaziki with the smell of rot
- dense feces streaked with blood
What causes constipation in babies?
The causes of all types of constipation in infants can be very diverse, among them:
- inactivity of the baby
- improper diet, certain irregularities in the diet of a nursing mother, products from the "forbidden" list: flour and confectionery products, thick fatty broths from homemade meat, high-fat cheeses, nuts
- "Hungry constipation", which occurs due to a lack of milk in the mother, when the body of the baby completely absorbs all the food that comes in
- abrupt end of breastfeeding and transition to adapted formulas
- changing the usual brand of infant formula to another with artificial feeding
- Feeding newborns with iron-fortified milk formulas
- physiological problems of bowel function - lack of muscle tone (this problem is diagnosed by a neurologist)
- high fever, colds or infectious diseases
- treating the mother or baby with antibiotics, antispasmodics, anticonvulsants, and other medications that cause constipation
- early introduction of complementary foods, intestinal immaturity
- lack of fluid in bottle-fed newborns
- intestinal dysbiosis
- an allergic reaction to animal protein if the child is fed with cow's milk porridge, and not with special adapted mixtures
Symptoms of constipation in a nursing baby
- Absence of stool accompanied by an obvious desire to empty the bowels.
- An excessively hard consistency of feces, often in the form of dense balls, giving pain to the little one.
- Lack of gas, "stone" tummy. If the baby is active, does not worry, eats well, he regularly and without problems leaves gas drinks - this is normal. If his tummy is hard, gas does not go away, he is capricious and crying, then this is a symptom of intestinal problems.
When should you worry?
Garden of Life's Most Popular Vitamin Supplements for Kids Review
How can Earth Mama products help young parents to care for their babies?
Dong Quai is an amazing plant that helps keep the female body young
Vitamin complexes, probiotics, omega-3 from the Garden of Life company, designed specifically for pregnant women
The causes of constipation in each case should be established by a children's doctor, who will also give clear recommendations for their elimination. The task of the mother is to fulfill them unconditionally and consistently.
If the baby eats mother's milk, and does not walk "in a big way" for several days, but the general state of health is normal, then it is too early to sound the alarm. Perhaps the baby's body "wants" to see if its intestines can accumulate a certain amount of feces, sufficient for bowel movement.
Usually, problems with bowel movements are normalized already in 3-month-old babies.
Particular attention should be paid to constipation in very tiny newborns, since they may have so-called organic constipation, which requires immediate surgical intervention to eliminate.
Algorithm of actions of parents
If you see that the baby cannot poop, is pushing, crying restlessly, his face turns red, then you can use the following techniques to alleviate his condition:
- Massage your tummy: stroke it clockwise with a warm palm.
- Lay the baby on the back and, taking it by the legs, do the "bicycle" exercise - it perfectly stimulates the intestines.
- Turn the baby over on its tummy - this exercise stimulates the intestines well.
- Fill a large bath with pleasant warm water and organize a joint reception of water procedures, try to relax and calm your baby, breastfeed him.
- If the baby continues to push hard and to no avail, try lubricating his anus with baby oil or petroleum jelly - this will help him poop.
If these techniques did not help the baby to empty the intestines, you can try to stimulate him mechanically:
- Liberally lubricate a cotton swab with baby cream, gently insert its tip into the anus and slowly turn it clockwise several times. Put a diaper on your baby and lay it on your tummy.
- If the first method does not bring results, then use a special glycerin candle, which you need to buy at the pharmacy. To empty the baby's intestines, insert 1/3 of the suppository into the baby's anus.
- A good result is obtained by using an enema with water or chamomile broth. A cleansing enema is given only with cold or chilled liquid - this stimulates bowel movement. Warm water will not cause a bowel movement, but will be absorbed through the rectum into the general bloodstream.
If the actions of the parents did not lead to success, then you need to urgently seek help from the children's hospital, since in this case the child may have severe intestinal obstruction or atonic constipation, which only doctors can cope with.
If the problem of bowel movement for your baby has become regular, then you cannot do without a medical examination and consistent treatment in this situation. Talk to your pediatrician for advice on a mild laxative that is approved for use in infants.
Therapy for persistent delayed bowel movements with pharmaceuticals in newborns is the same for breastfeeding, formula feeding and mixed feeding.
How to avoid constipation?
To do this, you need to carry out simple preventive measures:
- regularly do gymnastics to the baby, pay special attention to exercises for the tummy
- try to notice which exercises are helping your baby
- lay the crumbs on your stomach for a few minutes every day
- if the toddler is artificially or mixed feeding, do not forget to give him baby drinking water
- a nursing mother of a baby should eat fresh and dried fruits every day - dried apricots, prunes, figs and other foods rich in calcium
- for a 6-month-old baby, puree and prune juice should be in the diet every day
- avoid overheating and dehydration of the child
- if the baby has a tendency to constipation, then you can drink it with a decoction of raisins, which is easy to prepare: pour a spoonful of raisins into a thermos and pour a glass of boiling water
Diet of a nursing mother
If the problem of constipation in a baby has become obvious to you, then you should carefully review your own diet. Be sure to eat foods containing coarse fiber. Beets, green apples, dried apricots, pumpkin, prunes should be regularly in the diet of a nursing mother.
Try to solve the problem of constipation in the toddler with affordable means - do gymnastics, give him water, prepare fresh vegetable and fruit food for a 6-8 month old baby with your own hands. All these simple tools can make your baby's health stronger, and your life much happier.
From the video presented, you will learn how to properly massage a baby with colic or constipation.
19.03.2017
How to help a baby with constipation - almost all parents have encountered this problem. So what do you need to know about constipation in newborns so as not to be caught off guard? In this article, we will look at the most necessary information that can be useful in practice.
In infants, constipation is quite common, especially in the first months of their life, since the intestines are not yet properly debugged, not stable. Starting from the very first days, breastfed babies go to the toilet up to 8 times a day in accordance with the number of feedings, and artificial people - up to 4 times. Gradually, as you grow older, the number of bowel movements decreases. It should also be borne in mind that this process is a very individual phenomenon. Not all babies are emptied daily. Since at this age the child is under constant supervision of adults, it will not be difficult for them to notice any changes in the frequency and quality of the child's stool, taking into account the individual characteristics of their baby.
Constipation symptoms
If more than 1 and 2 days have passed since the last emptying, and at the same time the baby's appetite and sleep have disappeared, he constantly screams, is irritated or straining for no reason, grunts heavily, jerks his legs, pulls them to the tummy, bends, and the tummy has become more dense, swollen and, as it were, hardened, which means the baby has constipation. At the same time, feces are also subject to changes, they become more viscous and thicken. When a child cannot go to the toilet, he is faced with unpleasant internal pain sensations that give him anxiety, which is externally manifested in his behavior. He sleeps poorly, refuses food, constantly cries and is capricious, which in turn leads to disruption of sleep and the rhythm of life of his parents. In such situations, moms often resort to folk remedies at home, but they can be unproductive.
If the frequency of recurrences of constipation is high, you should definitely consult with your pediatrician in order to accurately determine the cause of the problem, and, taking it into account, take further active steps to help your baby.
Types of constipation in infants
Organic constipation (Hirschsprung's disease) is a rather rare phenomenon associated with congenital pathological abnormalities in the structure and functioning of the infant's intestines, which is found even in the maternity hospital. Simply put, a child cannot and does not know how to poop. The problem of such constipation is solved only by surgical intervention.
Functional constipation is more common associated with stool retention. The problem of such constipation can be solved both with drugs and non-drug means (massage, enema, beet juice). For the correct choice of the method of treatment, it is necessary, first of all, to timely and correctly establish the cause of constipation.
Causes of constipation
The digestion of a baby directly depends on the composition and quality of mother's breast milk, that is, on what and how a woman eats. Excessive consumption by a nursing mother of foods such as meat, rice, baked goods, tea, coffee and others can provoke constipation in a baby. The mother's diet should be approached carefully and selectively, with some restrictions. She should eat more foods containing plant fiber. In addition, if the mother took antibiotics, the newborn has a violation of the microflora, which can also cause difficulties in defecation.
Lack of milk when breastfeeding
The child's body, tuned in to digest the required amount of food, in case of not receiving it due to the lack of milk from the mother, gives a reaction in the form of constipation.
Changes in the baby's diet
Often with a change in baby food, for example, when switching from breastfeeding to formula, the baby's digestive system does not have time to rebuild and gives out malfunctions in the form of constipation.
Too early or incorrect introduction of complementary foods into the infant diet
Often mothers are in a hurry to give their child a taste of ordinary adult food, which causes disturbances in the child's digestion. Pediatricians recommend the introduction of complementary foods to babies no earlier than six months of age. Sometimes, after the baby reaches the appropriate age, mothers overdo it with the amount of complementary foods. The children's digestive system cannot cope with such a volume of new food.
Lack of water in the child's body
Lack of water is most often experienced by children who are bottle-fed. Also, in hot weather, the child's level of sweating may increase, which, in turn, can lead to dehydration and hardened stool. To avoid problems with difficult emptying, babies should be provided with an adequate and regular supply of moisture to their body throughout the day. In the summer, it is necessary to humidify the air in the room.
Teething in children
This natural, inevitable, but such a painful process is often accompanied by side accompanying symptoms, such as a decrease in immunity, an increase in body temperature and even constipation.
Child's hypodynamia
Constipation can be triggered by the inactivity of a small person, in order to avoid which parents should definitely do physical exercises with their babies. In such cases, it is useful for children to crawl on their tummy more.
Psychosomatic disorders
Stool retention in infancy can also be caused by disturbances in the psycho-emotional state of the child, for example, during prolonged separation from the mother.
Serious illnesses
Constipation in infants can be a symptom of diseases such as dolichosigma or lactase deficiency, therefore, if a child encounters this problem, it is strongly recommended to see a doctor.
How to help a child at home with constipation
Laxative is contraindicated in newborn babies! First of all, you should consult with a specialist.
Do not neglect the opportunity to talk with your pediatrician, who knows exactly what to do at home if the baby is constipated, and will give you tried and tested advice. Many doctors are not supporters of drug treatment of constipation in very young infants, but they can advise from drugs - "Dufolac" based on lactulose, which can be taken from the moment of birth, and in the future - "Bifidumbacterin" and "Linex" with the content of beneficial bacteria - probiotics to restore healthy intestinal microflora. There are safe and effective non-medicinal products that you can use at home.
Massage for constipation
Massage helps with mild constipation. First, the belly of the little one needs to be warmed up with a warm towel. The rule for performing such a massage: gently stroke the baby's tummy with circular smooth movements clockwise, lightly pressing on it; do not make strong and abrupt movements! You can also very gently and gently cuddle the baby to you. The warmth of a mother's embrace has a very beneficial effect on the psycho-emotional state of the child. Also, in combination with massage, you can do several physical exercises with children's legs, such as scissors or a bicycle.
After such mechanical influences, gases will leave the child's intestines, and the long-awaited relief will come. Massage is an excellent preventive measure to get rid of stool retention in the future and improve the functioning of the baby's intestines in general. Before starting a massage, you should also consult a doctor so as not to damage such fragile and not yet sufficiently strengthened children's organs. It is better if the first massage is performed by an experienced specialist and shows you how to do it properly.
Beet juice
Also, with mild constipation and as a prophylactic agent, beetroot juice can help, which well improves the functioning of the children's digestive system, but with a painful and prolonged stool retention, it may be ineffective. In addition, this remedy can only be used if the child is already familiar with adult food.
Enema
One of the common parenting misconceptions is that the enema is the panacea for constipation. This is not true! An enema should be used only as a last resort and only with the permission of the doctor. At first glance, such an effective remedy has only a short-term effect, while washing out the natural microflora from the child's intestines with the help of water, which aggravates the problem in the future. When using an enema, relapses of constipation will be repeated in the future. True, there are neglected situations when one cannot do without an enema.
In such cases, hands are thoroughly washed, a small enema (No. 1) is taken, filled with warm boiled water to a volume of 25 ml. The tip of the enema tip is lubricated with sterilized vegetable or vaseline oil using a cotton swab and very carefully inserted into the baby's rectum by 3-4 cm. You should first release the air from the enema. Water is released into the intestines very gradually, gently. After you remove the tip with one hand, the other should hold the baby's buttocks compressed for 3-5 minutes so that the water does not flow out. Such a procedure will lead to quick emptying and relief of the baby's intestines. Sometimes in difficult cases, as a last resort, they resort to using candles made of glycerin, butter or vegetable oil at the end of the pipette, which irritate the walls of the intestinal sphincter and soften the stool.
Prevention
Regular prevention of constipation will save you from the need to treat this problem in the future. The following recommendations will help you with this:
- carefully monitor the nutrition of the baby and nursing mother, giving preference to light, but nutrient-rich foods (fruits, vegetables) and avoiding harmful foods (fatty, sweet).
- do not be lazy and regularly give your offspring a light and gentle massage without strong and abrupt movements after the next meal. This will not only stimulate the peristalsis of the baby's intestines, but will also increase the general tone of the growing organism and will contribute to its physical development. You can invite a specialist to carry out the massage, but do not forget that the gentle tactile touch of the mother also brings significant benefits for maintaining the mental health of the baby.
- periodically let your child drink small amounts of beet juice. Attention: this can be done only after the child has become acquainted with the food of adults, otherwise you will provoke an even more serious disorder of the child's fragile intestines.
If you have not passed the problem of constipation in infants, do not panic, do not resort to self-treatment, show the baby to the doctor. In order to find the right treatment, and not harm the child even more, it is necessary to know exactly the cause of stool retention. It is also not worth delaying the solution of the problem, since untimely getting rid of constipation can lead to poisoning with food decay products and intoxication of the body.
One of the problems that parents of newborn babies have to face is stool disorder in the child. How to recognize whether this violation is constipation or an individual feature of the baby's body? Why does this ailment develop? What should parents do if they suspect constipation? You will find the answers to these questions in the article.
Recognizing constipation in a newborn baby
Before diagnosing a baby, parents should pay attention to some indicators.
Normal consistency it is considered if the baby's feces are soft, and at the age of a month they have a mushy consistency, at an older age (2-3 months and older) they take shape in geometric shapes.
Stool color changes according to how his food changes. So, the color of the feces of a newborn baby is yellow, but with the introduction of complementary foods, it gradually acquires brown in different shades.
The degree of difficulty in emptying the intestines by the child is determined quite simply - the child should not push hard, should not express anxiety and, moreover, cry.
What are the main criteria by which you can suspect the occurrence of an illness?
- Bowel emptying less than 1-2 times a day.
- The process is accompanied by anxiety, the child cries every time.
- The kid does not feel well, refuses to eat, sleeps anxiously.
- The tummy of the newborn is hard and distended, there are no gases (do not come out).
- The appearance of vomiting uncharacteristic for a child.
- During bowel movements, the baby pushes and grunts strongly, his efforts are ineffectual.
- The feces become dense and tight, traces of blood appear on them.
- The baby has a fever, he clearly looks unhealthy.
- Other, uncharacteristic signs for a newborn baby.
Whether a child has constipation or not is diagnosed on the basis of several symptoms, taking into account the characteristics of his body and the type of nutrition of the baby.
Causes of constipation in infants
What are the most common causes of constipation in infants?
- The negligent attitude of the mother to her diet (occurs with breastfeeding).
- Insufficient flow of fluid into the baby's body with nutrition.
- Violations in the diet of the child.
- An allergic reaction to any component, accompanied by inflammatory processes in the intestine.
- Taking medications: antibiotics, anticonvulsants, antispasmodics, diuretics.
- Congenital diseases: These are relatively rare when considering all cases in the total mass of newborns.
In addition, constipation can be triggered by other factors.
Babies exclusively fed breast milk may have:
- congenital disorders in the development of the intestines;
- metabolic disease;
- lactose deficiency.
Constipation in mixed-fed babies can occur for various reasons.
- With the introduction of infant formula into the child's diet.
- With the change of one type of mixture to another.
- With the introduction of unadapted nutrition (juices, purees, cereals, whole cow or goat milk) into the child's diet.
Stool problems in fully breastfed babies are possible in different situations.
- If for some reason the infant formula did not fit the baby , an allergic reaction to some components of the mixture.
- Dosage irregularities when preparing formula for feeding - too thick consistency.
How to treat persistent constipation in babies?
Medicines
Before "rushing" to treat constipation, it is necessary to diagnose it. And only a doctor can do this as accurately as possible. All other cases can be regarded as parental assumptions.
If there is no exact diagnosis that confirms the presence of constipation, then it is best not to experiment with medications. Although you can buy some medicines in your home medicine cabinet that are harmless for babies.
Such drugs include glycerin suppositories, microclysters for newborns and syrups based on lactulose.
And now in more detail ...
- There are baby glycerin candles on sale , but for some reason it is quite problematic to buy them, they are not sold in all pharmacies. Therefore, for a newborn, you can take a large one, having previously divided it into 4 parts. In one step, you must use ¼ part of the "adult" glycerin suppository. The baby's bowel movement should occur within an hour after its introduction. If this does not happen, you need to urgently consult a doctor.
- The most common lactulose laxative is Duphalac ... He is prescribed from the first days of life. Dosage for newborns - 5 ml. per day. To normalize the stool, they take it for a long time, sometimes up to a month. Duphalac should be given to the baby with great care, since there are a number of contraindications.
- Microclysters for eliminating constipation in newborns allowed only as an emergency measure, since their regular use can provoke addiction. "Microlax" is a drug approved for use in nursing infants. The main component of Mikrolax is glycerin. Microclysters are available in 5 ml tubes, but for newborns in most cases ½ dose is sufficient. After administration of the drug, bowel movement should occur within 15-20 minutes. The use of other microclysters is allowed only from the age of two.
Folk ways to deal with constipation
Eliminating constipation in newborns with the help of folk remedies is not the most suitable solution to the problem.
Most of the folk methods are associated with the use of decoctions of medicinal plants that stimulate the work of the gastrointestinal tract, which absolutely should not be given to babies.
- However, dill water will help get rid of the disease without consequences. , which will not only ease the condition of the crumbs with colic, but also contribute to the speedy bowel movement. Children under two months old are given 1-2 teaspoons of dill water before each feeding, from three months - 3, from four months up to 3 tablespoons of dill water can be given, from six months already ¼ glass. You can prepare dill water yourself at the rate of 1 teaspoon of dill seeds per 1 glass of water, you just need to boil and wait until it cools.
- Pharmacy product "Plantex" - the same dill water, but does not require cooking, the drug is simply diluted in warm water.
- The introduction of vegetable oil or petroleum jelly will help to empty the intestines. ... The volume should not exceed 15 ml and should be injected using a pipette.
- Another effective method can be an enema with chamomile broth. ... But, again, referring to Komarovsky, I would like to say that before giving the baby an enema, you need to try to put a glycerin candle - this is the safest and most effective way to solve the problem.
Video Dr. Komarovsky about constipation in newborns
Massage as a way to eliminate the problem
Other ways or methods of preventing constipation in newborns
You can try to solve the problem in the simplest ways.
- If the baby is breastfed , then mommy needs to analyze her diet and exclude those foods that can provoke constipation. Since all children develop according to their own unique scenario, the foods in the mother's diet that provoke constipation can be individual in each case.
- In case the baby is on mixed or artificial feeding , it is necessary to ensure that he receives a sufficient amount of liquid.
- Don't experiment with formula milk ... If the mixture is not suitable for the child, then it is better to entrust the doctors to choose the right one, and not to use the trial and error method on a crumb.
- Don't rush to introduce complementary foods too early - the baby's intestines may not yet be ready to process incoming substances. There are certain recommendations for the introduction of complementary foods, there are developed schedules for its introduction - and they should be followed.
In most cases, constipation in newborn babies is a nuisance that can be dealt with with minimal parenting effort. However, the best way to prevent constipation is to prevent constipation.
But, if this trouble happened in the life of your baby, then the most reasonable action would be to consult a doctor who will recommend the most optimal ways to eliminate the ailment from the life of the baby.
A problem such as constipation occurs frequently. Not all parents know how to properly behave in this case. The well-known children's doctor E. O Komarovsky recommends that young mothers not worry, but more closely monitor the condition of the child. Before taking any measures, you need to know exactly what symptoms are accompanied by Komarovsky believes that it is not always necessary to treat the baby with a rare emptying of the intestines. In most cases, it is enough to adjust the nutrition and daily routine of the child. This is what Dr. Komarovsky teaches young parents.
Constipation in infants
In medicine, it is believed that a baby up to three months must empty the intestines two to four times a day. And constipation is called a condition when there is no feces for more than two days. But here everything is individual. Sometimes it happens that a breastfed baby completely assimilates mother's milk. And he has a bowel movement every 3-5 days. Before panicking and giving the baby medicine, the mother needs to find out what symptoms accompany constipation in the baby. Komarovsky says that if the baby is developing well and gaining weight, is cheerful and sleeps normally, and bowel movement does not cause unpleasant sensations in him, then a rare chair is normal. You can talk about the disease when, in addition to constipation, the child has other symptoms: gas formation, pain, bloating, loss of appetite. In addition, it is very important to pay attention to the condition of the stool. In infants, it should be mushy, soft, yellowish. If the child has constipation, the stool will be dark in color, with an unpleasant odor, and hard.
Constipation symptoms
When do parents need to take action? It is believed that a child has constipation if the following symptoms are observed:
Causes of constipation
Only a doctor can tell if a child is sick or if such a bowel movement is normal for him. Therefore, for any deviations in the behavior of the baby, you need to contact the pediatrician. After all, before treating a baby, you need to know what caused his constipation. This condition can be triggered by many factors:
- pathologies of intestinal development, for example, Hirschsprung's disease;
- various inflammatory and infectious diseases, colds;
- violation of intestinal microflora;
- taking certain medications, especially antibiotics;
- an allergic reaction to cow's milk and certain other foods.
In such cases, only a doctor can treat constipation in infants. Komarovsky advises mothers to take some measures on their own if rare emptying is caused by other reasons:
- lack of breast milk, while the so-called "hungry" constipation appears;
- the wrong diet of the mother, because everything that the woman ate goes into her milk;
- lack of water, which helps to remove feces;
- the transition from breastfeeding to artificial feeding, since up to 4 months mother's milk not only feeds the baby, but also protects against diseases;
- the introduction of complementary foods, in this case, the child's intestines with constipation may react to unfamiliar food;
- changing the milk formula, which may contain a component that is intolerable to the baby;
- overheating the child with too warm and dry air, which causes dehydration;
- the stresses and worries of the baby due to the change in the environment, his fear when he is left alone.
Stool norm in newborns
After birth, for some time, the work of all organs of the child is getting better. In the first three days, the baby comes out with black-green plastic-like feces - meconium. Then, up to one and a half months, the baby poops as many times as he eats - 8-12. His stool is mushy, yellowish in color, with a sour odor. But up to 3 or 4 months, the child's intestinal functions have not yet fully formed, many enzymes and beneficial bacteria are absent. Therefore, it often happens at this time Komarovsky urges parents not to panic, but to try to establish nutrition for a nursing mother or consult a doctor about the choice of milk formula. Normally, a child who is breastfeeding should poop 4-5 times a day. And in artificialists, bowel movements happen less often - 1-2 times. Moreover, the feces should be soft, mushy.
Constipation in infants while breastfeeding
A child who feeds on mother's milk may not poop for up to 3-4 days. It is considered normal if the baby is not worried about anything, if he is cheerful and cheerful, sleeps well and gains weight. This means that breast milk is suitable for him and is well absorbed. Only in rare cases does a real constipation appear in a baby Komarovsky believes that measures need to be taken if the baby is not gaining weight, is restless and crying. But before using any medication, you should definitely consult your doctor. In most cases, you can fix the problem simply by changing your mom's diet.
What rules should a woman adhere to in order for a child to have regular bowel movements?
But even if the mother observes all the rules, sometimes there is constipation in a baby while breastfeeding. Komarovsky believes that this is due to a lack of water. He recommends that in hot weather, supplement the baby with clean water or a decoction of raisins. But it is undesirable to use a bottle with a nipple for this, so that the baby does not get used to it. You can drink a child from a spoon or a special drinker, but you can give a little one water from a syringe without a needle.
Constipation in infants with artificial feeding
If, when breastfeeding, mothers rarely encounter real problems in emptying the baby's intestines, then with artificial people this happens more often. What to do to prevent constipation in a bottle-fed baby? Komarovsky recommends following these rules:
Constipation after introducing complementary foods
Komarovsky recommends feeding the baby only with breast milk for up to 4-5 months. If the mother has enough of it, then the baby will receive everything he needs. Very often, constipation occurs in infants with the introduction of complementary foods. Komarovsky advises, in order to prevent this, to start not with egg yolk or fruit juices, but with vegetable puree or dairy-free porridge. After a while, the baby's nutrition needs to be varied so that he receives a sufficient amount of dietary fiber. Therefore, vegetable soups and mashed potatoes, cereals, especially not ready-made, but made by their mother, are very important in the diet of children. After 7-8 months, the baby should be given coarse bread, fresh fruits and vegetables.
Sometimes it happens that a baby appears constipated after Komarovsky advises in this case to give or mashed prunes, pumpkin, raisin broth. It is advisable to include these foods in the diet if the baby is already 6 months old. Food for a child should be prepared immediately before use, it is undesirable to boil it well. If you follow these rules, you can prevent constipation in babies.
What to do
Komarovsky gives some advice on how you can help your baby. After all, it is not always possible to immediately consult a doctor. But every mother is able to alleviate the child's condition. And only if these measures do not help, you must definitely contact a medical institution. So what if the baby is constipated? Komarovsky recommends the following methods:
It is necessary to call an ambulance or see a doctor as soon as possible if the child has the following symptoms:
- abdominal pain, gas, bloating;
- decreased appetite, refusal to eat;
- impurities of blood appear in the feces;
- frequent vomiting;
- the baby's feces and urine are dark, with an unpleasant odor.
What medications can be used for infants with constipation
It is not recommended to give any medicine to babies without consulting a doctor. Even the safest and most approved drugs from birth can harm the unformed intestinal microflora of the child. Therefore, only in extreme cases is it recommended to use medications to cure constipation in infants.
- It is best to use preparations containing lactulose. This is the safest laxative. is a prebiotic. It stimulates the production of beneficial bacteria in the intestines and helps to flush out feces. The following preparations containing lactulose are recommended: "Duphalac", "Normase", "Portalak", "Lizalak" and some others. For starters, it is best to give these medicines in a reduced dosage. And if you need a long-term admission, you should definitely consult a doctor.
- To reduce gas formation in the intestines, doctors prescribe the following drugs to babies: Espumisan, Plantex or Sub-Simplex. They help relieve cramps and gently flush out gas to relieve bloating.
- Komarovsky considers glycerin suppositories to be the best remedy for constipation in infants. Children are very rare on sale, but you can use ordinary ones as well. One candle needs to be cut in half lengthwise and then across. There are four parts. With one piece of candle, with clean hands, you need to smooth out all the edges and carefully insert it into the baby's anus. Gently pinch his buttocks and hold for a little. Such a candle will help soften the stool and gently bring them out.
How to give an enema to a baby
Many believe that this is the only way to treat constipation in babies. Komarovsky recommends using an enema only in extreme cases. Their frequent use flushes beneficial bacteria from the intestines and weakens its tone. How to do an enema for a baby?
- Take a rubber bulb with a soft tip, it should be up to 60 ml.
- Usually, chamomile decoction is used for babies. It should be at room temperature. Too warm water is immediately absorbed through the intestinal wall.
- Lay the baby on its side or back. Lubricate the anus and the tip of the enema with baby cream.
- Squeeze the pear a little to remove air from it. Gently insert the tip no more than a couple of centimeters into the baby's intestines. If you feel resistance, you can't push.
- Slowly release the water without using force. The process of intestinal contraction takes place in waves, so if you feel resistance, you need to wait a little. Pull out the enema.
- Squeeze the baby's buttocks and hold it for a couple of minutes.
But ready-made microclysters, which are sold at the pharmacy, are more convenient to use and safe for the child. For example, you can purchase "Mikrolax". But do not do them often to prevent addiction.
Folk remedies for constipation
Many mothers try to help their child with recipes that their grandmothers used. They push a piece of soap, a cotton swab smeared with petroleum jelly or a thermometer into the baby's anus. So in the past, constipation in an infant was often treated. Komarovsky warns parents against using such funds. He believes that over the child. In addition, such funds can injure the mucous membrane, cause irritation in the anus and further exacerbate the problem.
From folk remedies, the doctor prefers decoctions that help remove gases. It is best to brew dill seed, anise, or fennel. Komarovsky considers very useful.In addition to the laxative effect, this drink enriches the body with potassium, which is very important for the normal functioning of the intestines. There is a wider choice of remedies if a baby is 6 months old with constipation. Komarovsky recommends giving your baby juice, broth or puree of prunes, including foods rich in fiber in the diet.
Prevention of constipation
Everyone knows that a problem is better prevented than looking for ways to cope with it. Doctor Komarovsky says a lot about constipation in infants, but the main thing he focuses on is that you need to establish proper nutrition for the baby. How should you act to prevent constipation?
- A bottle-fed baby should get enough water.
- If the baby feeds on breast milk, then the mother needs to drink at least 2 liters of liquid and eat foods rich in potassium.
- Put the baby on the tummy more often, ideally for 5 minutes each time before feeding.
- Regularly do gymnastics with the child: raise his legs, bend them at the knees, exercises on a gymnastic ball are useful.
- It is necessary to give the baby a light tummy massage, it helps to relieve muscle spasms and reduce gas formation.
- The baby should not be overheated.
- The food of babies who are already receiving complementary foods should not be highly heat-treated and very soft.
You yourself need to treat constipation in infants only if it is the only symptom. And when the baby is experiencing abdominal pain, he has increased gas production and has no appetite, an urgent need to consult a doctor.
Stool patterns in babies vary from child to child in the same way as in adults. What is normal for your child may be different from what is normal for another. Most children poop once or twice a day. For other babies, it may take 2 to 3 days or more before normal bowel movements develop.
Bowel function will change dramatically over the course of a child's life. At times, these changes may indicate that the baby is constipated.
Constipation is a condition of the body when stools are not as regular as usual. The feces are plentiful, and going to the toilet is painful. Sometimes the stool may be loose, but it can also mean constipation in the baby.
A child who consumes exclusively may not defecate every day. Often, almost all of the nutrients are absorbed. This is very common. Infants fed formula milk can have up to three to four bowel movements per day.
However, normal bowel movements (peristalsis) vary greatly in healthy children. It depends on the type of milk, on the introduction of coarse fibers into the food and on what specific foods are consumed.
Understanding possible signs can help parents detect a potential threat of its occurrence before difficulties with emptying become a big problem.
Constipation in an infant can be identified by several symptoms:
You may notice that the child is crossing his legs, grimacing, stretching out, squeezing his buttocks, or spinning in a chair. It may look like the toddler is trying to have a bowel movement, but instead, he is actually trying to hold on to stool.
If left untreated, constipation can worsen and cause various complications. The longer the stool remains inside the sigmoid colon and rectum, the harder and drier it becomes, the more difficult and painful it is to empty the intestines. Your child may be holding back their bowel movements due to pain. This creates a vicious circle.
Constipation in children is usually not a serious condition. However, chronic constipation can lead to complications or signal an underlying medical condition.
Show your child the doctor if constipation persists for more than two weeks or if the following symptoms are present:
- loss of body weight;
- blood in the stool;
- bloating;
- vomit;
- Painful cracks in the skin around the anus (anal fissures)
- prolapse of the intestines from the anus (rectal prolapse).
Do not give your baby a laxative or suppository without first talking to your doctor.
The attending physician should do the following to determine constipation:
- Collect complete information about the medical history. The specialist will ask about past illnesses, nutrition and physical condition of the child.
- Do an examination, which will most likely include a digital examination of the child's rectum to check for abnormalities, cracks, or hard stools. Stool found in the rectum can be tested for blood.
Extensive research is carried out in more severe cases of constipation. Diagnostics consists of several procedures:
Depending on various factors, your doctor may recommend what to do if your child is constipated. These can be procedures or certain drugs.
- Children's glycerin suppositories Glycelax®. Can be used to soften stools in children from three months of age. The suppository softens the feces, stimulates the child's rectum and helps to empty it. Glycelax® suppositories are specially designed for children: the dosage and size are designed for the child's body.
In case of constipation in a child, it is necessary to put one candle a day. Do not use suppositories regularly, because the child will develop a reflex to the act of defecation only after suppositories.
- Fiber preparations. If your child is not getting a lot of fiber from their diet, adding fiber supplements can help. However, the child must drink plenty of water daily for these drugs to work well. Check with your doctor to find out which dose is right for your baby's age and weight.
- Laxative or enema... If a one-month-old baby is constipated due to a build-up of stool creating a plug, the doctor may suggest a laxative or enema to help clear the stool. These drugs include polyethylene glycol and mineral oil. Never give a child a laxative or give an enema without a doctor's instructions and instructions for the correct dosage and use.
- Hospital enema. Sometimes the baby may have such severe constipation that he must be hospitalized for a short time in order to receive a more thorough (siphon) enema that will cleanse the intestines.
How to treat constipation in an infant at home?
In addition to making changes in diet and regimen, different approaches can help relieve constipation in children at home.
Here are some tips on what to do when your baby is constipated:
Never use soap for constipation. It acts aggressively on the rectal mucosa, leading to erosion and local inflammation, which will only aggravate the situation. In addition, the soap bakes mercilessly, causing severe pain to the baby.
If a child has constipation for more than two weeks, the parents are more likely to seek medical attention. If necessary, the baby will be referred to a specialist in digestive disorders (gastroenterologist). He will tell you in more detail how to treat constipation in infants.
Here's some information to help you prepare and know what to expect from your doctor.
You can prepare by following a few important steps:
Write down questions to ask your doctor. There are certain key questions to ask your doctor:
- What is the most likely cause of my child's symptoms?
- Are there any other reasons?
- What kind of research does my child need?
- How long can this go on?
- What treatments do you recommend?
- How to help a newborn with constipation?
- Do I need to make changes to my child's diet?
- Should we visit another specialist?
- What to give a baby for constipation?
- Is there an alternative to the medication you are prescribing?
- Can this problem be treated without medication?
Your doctor may ask you a few questions. You need to be ready to answer them. Your doctor can clarify the following information:
- When did the child first show signs of constipation?
- Were these symptoms persistent or occasional?
- How serious are the symptoms?
- What, in your opinion, improves the condition of the child?
- What makes the baby's condition worse?
- Do you see blood in your stool or diaper?
- Does the child strain during the act of defecation?
- Does the baby have a hereditary predisposition to digestive problems?
- Has the child started taking any new medications or changed the dosage of the current medications?
- Can you describe the experience of potty training your child?
Since every child has a different bowel function, check out the conditions for a normal bowel movement for a baby. Pay attention to the usual stool size and consistency. This will help you and your pediatrician determine when constipation occurs and how serious the problem is.