If babies have difficulty pooping, this does not always indicate constipation. In other words ,the baby’s difficulty in pooping should not immediately bring constipation to mind.
The number of times babies poop during the day can vary. This number can vary from several times a day to once every three days. So, how do we know if the baby is constipated?
To explain this topic, let ‘s first answer the question of what are the symptoms of constipation in babies. Then let’s find answers to the questions of why babies become constipated and then what to do if the baby has constipation ..
We can examine the issue of constipation in infants under three headings:
Symptoms of Constipation in Infants
- Stiffness in the abdomen
- Loss of appetite
- Stinky poop
- Crying and restlessness
- Pain before pooping, irritability
- Dry, hard and clumpy stools
Why Do Babies Get Constipated?
There may be more than one reason why a baby is constipated. We can list them as follows:
- Feeding formula instead of breast milk: Breastfed babies are less likely to have constipation. This is because breast milk is easier to digest. Breast milk contains a hormone called motilin. This hormone increases the bowel movements of babies, causing them to poop more frequently, and thus constipation is less likely to occur in breastfed babies. Therefore, even when you cannot be with your baby, express milk using a breast pump. Store the expressed milk in brest milk storage bottles or milk storage bags under suitable conditions.
- Transition to solid foods: When babies are introduced to solid foods, they become constipated more often because their intestines cannot digest these foods immediately. During this period, babies may experience changes in the frequency and hardness of their stools, which will pass over time.
- Fiber-poor diet: When transitioning to supplementary food, babies’ diets should include plenty of water and high-fiber foods to reduce the risk of constipation in babies. For example, pureed or mashed apples, carrots, apricots, raspberries, strawberries.
- Drinking less water: Another way to prevent constipation in babies is to give them plenty of water and feed them watery foods. Giving babies 30-60 ml of boiled and cooled water will help them to defecate. Drinking plenty of fluids makes stools soft and easy to pass, while dehydration causes hard, dry and difficult stools.
What should you do if your baby is constipated?
What can be done in case of constipation in infants:
- Make circular movements with the baby’s legs. This helps the poop to move along the intestines.
- Massage the baby’s tummy, starting at the belly button and working outwards, clockwise and counterclockwise . If you notice that the baby is uncomfortable, stop and try again later.
- A warm bath can help the baby to pass stool more easily. It can also help to massage the baby’s tummy during the bath.
- Applying cream or petroleum jelly to the outside of the anus can also make it easier for the baby to poop.
If you think your baby is constipated, you can consult your doctor. Constipation in infants can also be a sign of diseases such as food allergy or food poisoning. In more serious cases, it can also be a symptom of a metabolic disorder or a congenital disease. Therefore, constipation in infants should be taken seriously and you should consult your doctor if the condition persists.