Constipation in babies
Newborn Constipation
Constipation is a condition which involves passing of hard, pellet-like stools that may cause pain or bleeding in the rectal area. Newborn or infant constipation is the most common concern among parents which is usually addressed by a pediatrician. The condition is generally marked by infrequent hard and dry stools which are difficult to pass and in severe cases can even cause a tear in the rectal wall, resulting in bleeding. There are various factors that may contribute to newborn constipation like excessive cow's milk, a diet low in fiber, insufficiency of fluids in the body, etc.
Apart from these, another cause for infant constipation is infrequent bowel movements due to passing a large, hard and painful bowel. Basically it is a viscous cycle, wherein the child holds back painful, hard bowels, making them large and hard, causing more pain while passing which eventually leads to constipation. However, the good news is that most cases of newborn constipation are not severe and so can be treated easily. Learn more on baby care and constipation in babies.
Treatment for Constipation in Newborns
The first step in newborn constipation treatment is to determine whether your baby is actually suffering from the problem or not, as it is not abnormal for newborns to pass stools infrequently. If the baby is passing loose and watery stools, irrespective of how frequent they are, one need not worry about constipation in the baby. Hence, constipation does not occur in newborns until the baby starts passing hard, dense and painful stools. However, when such condition occurs one can resort to the below given newborn constipation home remedies.
- One of the most simplest and natural ways of curing newborn constipation is to breastfeed the baby. Breast milk contains natural laxatives that ease the bowel movement and reduces the chances of having constipation. Read more on breastfeeding.
- Newborn constipation can be treated by increasing the baby's fluid intake. Especially if your baby is formula-fed, making the baby drink one extra bottle of fluid can provide relief from constipation.
- One can change the feeding schedule, i.e. giving smaller concentration of baby formula and increasing the baby feeding frequency throughout the day will allow the body to digest better and ease the bowel movements.
- Another newborn constipation treatment is to make certain dietary changes in the baby's diet. Foods that may increase the risk of having constipation like cow's milk, bananas, yogurt, cheese, cooked carrots and other baby foods that are low in fiber should be avoided. However, in place of cow's milk, soy milk can be a better alternative.
- Try making healthy changes in your infant's diet by introducing foods high in fiber like pureed pears and prunes, barley cereals, etc. Apart from these, feeding the baby small amounts of prune juice mixed with breast milk or formula milk are effective newborn constipation remedies. Learn more on prune juice for constipation in infants.
- Try massaging the baby's stomach in the clockwise direction and rotating the baby's legs like a bicycle as it stimulates bowel movements and can cure newborn constipation.
- One can also try using some rectal laxatives like glycerin suppositories, liquid glycerin or flax oil, by mixing one tsp of these laxatives with the formula or inserting a suppository when the baby shows signs of going to the bathroom. However, it is better to ask a pediatrician before using them.
Read more on:
- Infant Constipation Remedies
- Baby Constipation Remedies
These were some simple, yet effective newborn constipation treatment options which can be tried if your child is suffering from constipation. However, if constipation persists despite these dietary changes and is accompanied by other symptoms like vomiting or irritability, immediately consult a pediatrician.
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