How to tell if your baby is constipated. Why do babies get constipated? General treatments

Irregular bowel movements in babies can cause parents quite a lot of worry and anxiety. Constipation in infants can cause crying and fussiness, as it may be accompanied by gas, difficulty defecating, and pain.

Children under one year of age most often suffer from constipation, after all, their digestive system is not yet formed.

For many parents, the problem of constipation in a newborn is frightening, because everyone knows about the danger associated with the body's ability to reabsorb toxins found in the intestines. But before treating constipation in a baby, you need to clarify the symptoms and establish the causes that caused it.

What is considered constipation in a newborn?

Constipation in a newborn is a delay in stool for 1.5-2 days. Normally, infants up to three months should have stool 2-4 times a day, and closer to one year - it occurs 1-2 times a day.

Due to the fact that the intestines of babies are not yet sufficiently developed, they may not cope well with their functions - digestion and absorption of food, as well as the removal of toxic and unsold products. If a child does not have stool for more than a day, it means that food is moving very slowly through the intestines and the child is constipated.

In fact, every newborn has slight constipation, and this should not worry parents too much, because with proper nutrition, usually everything quickly returns to normal.

Retention of stool for a day or two may be an occasional episode. Ideally, a baby's number of bowel movements during natural feeding should coincide with the frequency of feedings. In children under one year of age, constipation is considered to be the absence of bowel movements during the day. Constipation is also commonly referred to as bowel movement, which is accompanied by the child straining, crying and restlessness.

What causes constipation in newborns?

Constipation can be caused by various factors.

• The most common reason is transition from breastfeeding to artificial feeding. When artificial feeding, you should discuss with your doctor the possibility of using fermented milk mixtures, which improve the digestion process. At the age of four to six months, it is advisable to introduce mixtures with oatmeal broth, purees and juices into the diet of artificial babies.
• The reasons may also be functional, e.g. newborn is teething or he suffered an infectious disease.

However, in a healthy newborn baby, constipation should not last too long.

• Baby's nutritional pattern may also affect stool. Babies who eat only formula or mother's milk may have constipation caused by a lack of plant fiber. Constipation usually goes away completely after complementary foods in the form of fruits and vegetables are introduced.
• It is known that even weather conditions can affect a baby’s stool. Many children experience changes in their bowel movements in hot weather; bowel movements may be absent for up to three days. The frequency and volume of bowel movements is also affected by malnutrition, and constipation may be accompanied by weight loss. In this case, the child may have stool once every few days - this is unacceptable. You need to try to ensure that your baby’s nutrition is varied and nutritious.
• Insufficient physical activity can also cause constipation in newborns. Therefore, it is advisable to do gymnastic exercises with your baby before each meal. To do this, you need to put the baby on his back and alternately press his legs to his tummy, and then lower them. You can perform the “bicycle” exercise - alternately raise your legs with your knees bent.
• Constipation may be caused by feeding problems– lack of food, early introduction of complementary foods, improper regimen and monotonous diet.
• Premature birth and problems for the mother during pregnancy may also cause constipation due to disruption of the baby's intestinal flora.
• In addition, lactase deficiency, lack of body weight and rickets can be the cause. A doctor will help you find out the true cause.

Treatment of constipation in a newborn

Successful treatment depends on timely consultation with a doctor. You need to act comprehensively and not rush.

You should not try to solve the problem of constipation in a baby with the help of laxatives, because they suppress the bowel movement reflex and lead to the loss of protein and potassium, and reduce the tone of the intestinal muscles.

It is important to remember that medications that are suitable for adults are not intended for children. Therefore, under no circumstances should you give your baby your own pills to treat constipation. Medicines must be prescribed by a doctor and depend on the cause of constipation. And if it was caused by any disease, then first of all you need to cure it. Therapeutic cleansing enemas should also be prescribed by a doctor.

When treating, it is best to use a set of measures.

• You can do it yourself for your baby tummy massage and encourage physical activity. You need to perform a massage after eating, making circular strokes in a clockwise direction with a warm hand. Most children love to have their belly rubbed. This way, you will improve your baby’s digestion and relieve him of discomfort.
• If constipation in a newborn is accompanied by increased gas formation and cause colic, you can give your baby dill water or baby fennel tea. Even if stool irregularity does not cause concern to your baby, do not ignore it. Long-term constipation can cause diathesis and intestinal dysbiosis.

Contents:

Where to start solving the problem of constipation in a child under one year old?

Not in all situations when parents say or think that the child is constipated, the child actually suffers from constipation.

In a number of cases, what parents call “constipation” and for which they undertake intensive treatment is a completely normal phenomenon that does not require any intervention.

On the other hand, some parents, judging by themselves or from the experience of other parents, believe that hard and rare stool in their child is a normal phenomenon due to heredity and do nothing, while the child really needs help.

To truly understand whether your child is constipated and needs treatment, carefully review the following recommendations.

How can you tell if your child is truly constipated? What should you pay special attention to?

Typically, parents are concerned about the following phenomena, which are interpreted as “constipation”:

• Stool consistency - The child produces too dense (hard) stool
• Stool frequency - the child rarely walks in a big way
• Condition of the child during defecation - the child is very restless, cries, grunts and apparently has significant difficulty in defecating.

Of the signs presented above, only the first sign ( formation of dense and dry feces), regardless of how often it is observed and how the child feels, it is an undeniable sign of constipation.

Thick stool can be passed quite easily (small pellets similar to “sheep poo”) and quite often (almost every day), but despite this, it remains a sign of constipation.

Second and third signs ( too infrequent stool And restlessness or visible straining of the child during bowel movements) may be a sign of constipation only in situations where they are associated with formation of dense feces or when, in addition to these signs, there are other symptoms of illness (any signs that make you think that the child is unwell).

In cases where an apparently healthy child with a good appetite rarely walks around or behaves restlessly, but only during bowel movements and at the same time he has soft feces, there can be no question of constipation.

You can finally answer the question of what to do about constipation in your child by studying the recommendations below:

The most important questions in solving the problem of constipation in a child under one year old

When faced with the problem of constipation in a child under one year old, pay attention to the following questions:

The child has rare constipation(episodes of normal stool significantly outnumber episodes of hard stool)

• Rare cases of constipation are completely normal and can occur from time to time in all healthy children.
• Usually, rare constipation is not associated with any serious intestinal diseases and does not require seeing a doctor.
• Rare episodes of constipation usually do not require any special treatment and can only be resolved through first aid measures, which will be described below in the Treatment section.

Frequent constipation(when episodes of hard stools outnumber episodes of normal soft stools or when the child has prolonged episodes of hard stools)

• Frequent cases of constipation should be considered abnormal and a possible sign of a serious illness
• Frequent constipation can cause changes in the structure of the child's intestines (acquired megacolon) and cause fecal incontinence (encopresis)
• A child with frequent episodes of constipation should be seen by a doctor.

Regardless of how often a child experiences constipation, try to assess the child’s general well-being using the following criteria:

• How, in general, does the child behave? Can we say that he is restless, irritable, has no interest in the events happening around him, is too sleepy, does not play much?
• How does a child develop? Have you noticed that he is behind in height or weight?
• Have you noticed a certain lag in the child’s mental development?
• What does the child look like externally? Does his skin and hair look dry and flabby? Does he have a skin rash?

Children with rare episodes of constipation, not associated with any serious diseases, usually look completely healthy and develop well.

Children with frequent constipation on the contrary, may suffer from some serious diseases that manifest themselves not only with constipation, but also with other symptoms that create the impression of a “sick, apathetic child.”

If your baby is capricious, cannot sleep, or has weak legs, there may be several reasons. One of them is constipation in a newborn. Let's find out why it occurs, what symptoms accompany it and, most importantly, what safe remedies will help cope with it.

Signs of constipation in babies

Constipation in newborns is very common and you should not be alarmed. After all, a small organism is just beginning to configure all its organs to work, it is debugging its body. It is easy to determine this condition by the following signs:

1. The absence of feces for 2 days is already constipation;
2. The feces are dry and compacted. Typically, children have liquid stool, similar to a homogeneous paste. Sometimes large elements are found in it if the foods that the child has eaten are not digested. Dryness does not indicate a lack of fluid in the body.
3. Anal irritation. As a rule, this is observed with repeated constipation, if it lasts 2 weeks or more, the baby experiences redness of the skin around the anus. Irritation and itching appear. Sometimes the symptom indicates cracks in the rectum.
4. Poor appetite, moodiness. With constipation, children consistently refuse breastfeeding or complementary foods because their gastrointestinal tract is full. They act up for no reason.
5. Insufficient weight gain. When weighing a child, the doctor may note an abnormal weight gain, which is due to the baby’s refusal to feed and insufficient absorption of nutrients.

If you find at least 2-3 of the five signs in your baby, it’s time to see a doctor.

Causes of constipation in newborns

There are 4 main types of constipation in babies, depending on the cause of their occurrence:

• Functional. This is the most harmless variety, since the discomfort is associated with the baby’s poor nutrition. In infants, indigestion is caused by an incorrectly structured diet of the mother. Constipation in an artificial diet is associated with an incorrect selection of mixtures. Treatment consists of properly constructing the diet of mother and child.
• Atonic. This type of constipation is associated with relaxation of the intestinal muscles. Their tone is so low that feces cannot move through the digestive tract. Severe constipation occurs, and stool comes out with pain. Treatment consists of massages to improve intestinal tone.
• Spastic. The most unpleasant type of constipation. The feces are hard, round, and moving through the intestines and exiting them occurs with pain. The main reason is spasms that prevent the movement of feces. Constipation is constant, accompanied by bloating and pain. Treatment should be aimed at relieving spasms through massage and medications.
• Hunger constipation. Sometimes a child simply does not eat enough; the food eaten is not enough to form the required volume of feces. This happens if the mother does not have enough milk, or the baby is not strong enough to suck it out.

Let us consider in more detail the causes of constipation in children, depending on the type of feeding.

Constipation during breastfeeding

When breastfeeding, constipation in children occurs no less often than with artificial or mixed type. Causes of indigestion:

• Incorrect maternal diet. If the mother eats mainly flour and fatty foods, consumes large quantities of meat, eggs, cottage cheese and other protein products, the milk becomes fatty and thick, difficult to digest. To ease digestion, include fruits and vegetables in your diet, and drink more fluids (I suggest).
• Insufficient milk supply. If a baby suckles but doesn't get enough milk, he remains hungry and doesn't produce enough stool to move through the intestines. In this case, the mother should think about switching to artificial or mixed feeding.
• Hereditary or congenital pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract. If you have adjusted the diet, but your child’s constipation has not disappeared, check whether the baby has hidden pathologies of the digestive tract. They can be identified by showing the baby to a pediatrician and conducting an appropriate examination.
• A consequence of a cold or viral disease. After taking medications aimed at fighting viruses and bacteria, the intestinal microflora is disrupted, which leads to temporary constipation.
• Insufficient fluid intake. In the cold season, mother's milk is enough for the baby. But on hot days, the baby needs to be given clean water. If your child doesn't drink enough fluids, he or she may become constipated.

With artificial feeding

If the child is bottle-fed, the causes of constipation will be different:

• Incorrect mixture. If a child is given a low-quality formula containing palm oil and soy, the baby's stomach may react negatively to the product. The result is constipation and indigestion. What to do? Choose another mixture, it will help you.
• Frequent changes of mixtures. When parents cannot choose one product and constantly experiment with mixtures, the gastrointestinal tract does not have time to adapt to one type of nutrition. Conclusion, stop at one thing.
• Violation of the drinking regime. Formulas are more difficult for the baby's stomach to digest than breast milk. To liquefy stool, you need to give your baby water regularly.
• Lactase deficiency. If a child is lactase intolerant, he needs a special formula. In this case, constipation will alternate with diarrhea.

With mixed feeding

If a child is supplemented with formula, constipation can occur for various reasons:

• Eating too frequently. When the baby’s diet is not established, and the mother randomly feeds him either with formula or breastfeeding, the food does not have time to be digested, and constipation occurs. Feeding too infrequently has the same effect.
• Dehydration. Lack of fluid in the body causes stool to thicken and constipation occurs. For normal functioning of the gastrointestinal tract, a baby needs 1-2 tbsp. water per day.
• Incorrect maternal diet. When a mother consumes too much fat, carbohydrates or protein, and does not eat enough vegetables and fruits, the baby becomes constipated.
• Poor quality mixture. Baby food containing additives such as palm oil and soy are difficult to digest.

Constipation in a child when the mother takes Elevit vitamins

Many mothers note that taking Elevit vitamins and breastfeeding the baby may cause constipation in the newborn. This effect is even indicated in its instructions, in the side effects section.

Elevit contains a lot of iron. This element can cause your stool to turn black. However, you should not be afraid: this fact does not affect the baby’s digestion. If a newborn has stool obstruction due to vitamins, taking them will have to be temporarily stopped.

Medicines for constipation in newborns

If you have adjusted your own diet, give your baby enough water, chosen the appropriate formula and do not change it every two days, but constipation is still present, contact your pediatrician.

However, there are situations when emergency home care is required for a child. We also offer you methods that urgently solve the problem.

Drugs

• Duphalac. Constipation syrup containing lactulose. It is almost not absorbed into the intestines, stimulating its peristalsis. Children under one year of age are prescribed 5 ml of medication per day. The doctor determines the course of treatment individually. Other drugs also contain lactulose, for example Normolakt, Portalak, Prelax.
• Espumisan . The drug is traditionally used for flatulence. It is effective only when the cause of constipation is the presence of a large amount of gases in the intestines. Give your child 50 drops of this remedy if there is stool obstruction.
• Lactazar . The medicine contains lactase and is available in the form of capsules with powder. Dilute the contents in a small amount of milk, mixture or water heated to 50 degrees. Infants are given 1 capsule before feeding: this is enough to digest 100 ml of breast milk or formula.
• Smecta . This is just a universal drug that doctors like to prescribe for both constipation and diarrhea. It contains a substance that copes with flatulence, and it also absorbs all toxins. read the article. The medication is available in powder form in sachets. To prepare a suspension, mix it with water, milk, fruit juice or puree. For babies under one year old, offer up to 2 sachets per day for the first 3 days, then 1 sachet for the next 2-4 days.
• Hofitol . This is an artichoke-based drug that is used for jaundice in newborns, but pediatricians also like to prescribe it for constipation. The solution is given to the baby in the amount of 5 drops diluted in 1 tsp. water.
• Bifidumbacterin . A product with bifidobacteria to restore intestinal microflora. Take it 2-3 times a day for 5-7 days. The dosage of the drug depends on the age of the baby: in the first 3 days – 1 dose three times a day; up to 6 months – 2.5 doses three times a day; from six months to 1 year – up to 5 doses twice a day.

Candles

Candles are an effective remedy. For children under one year old, 3 types of the drug are suitable:

• Glycerin suppositories Glicelax®. The active ingredient of Glycelax® suppositories is glycerin. It provides two effects at once: it softens stool and stimulates intestinal motility, resulting in soft and “physiological” bowel movement. Glicelax® suppositories can be used in children from 3 months. Their shape, size and dosage are designed for children's anatomy and physiology, so there is no need to divide the candles into parts. The recommended regimen of use is 1 suppository per day for 7 days. New suppositories - in addition to glycerin, contain stearic acid and sodium carbonate. They soften stool and act on the intestinal mucosa, making defecation much easier.
• Gas-forming - suppositories contain gas, which increases the volume of the intestines and promotes feces.
• Sea buckthorn or rosemary suppositories. The suppositories contain vegetable oils that soften feces and relieve irritation and inflammation of the mucous membrane.

Use suppositories 1-2 times a day. To insert the suppository into the anus, place the baby on his side and bring his knees to his chest. Lubricate the anus with cream or Vaseline, insert the suppository and squeeze the buttocks for 3-5 minutes. Read the article in detail.

Enema Microlax

The Microlax oil enema is very effective and quick in relieving constipation. It is sold in a pharmacy and is a disposable 3 ml plastic tube filled with oily contents. This amount of the drug is quite enough for a laxative effect. 15 minutes after administration of the medication, defecation occurs.

It is very convenient that the drug is allowed for babies from birth.

How else to treat constipation in children?

We have already looked at the means that traditional medicine uses. Now let's look at those ways to combat constipation that do not require the use of drugs. Some of these remedies were used by our grandmothers; in those days they did not use much medicine. So-called traditional medicine.

To complete the picture, most of the means used are considered, but I would not agree to use many of them; read my reasoning below.

Soap for constipation in babies

Our grandmothers often used this remedy, but let's face it, at the moment it is possible to choose a more humane means of inducing a bowel movement.

Also, the soap itself can cause irritation to the baby’s delicate skin, possibly causing redness.

The method is really effective, but I suggest using it on children over 6 years old and adults (a small piece is inserted into the anus and defecation occurs after 5-10 minutes).

Enema

This is the best remedy for treating constipation in little ones because it is really safe. If you use a regular enema, follow the basic rules:

• Monitor the amount of liquid. The maximum volume for a newborn for one injection is 5-10 ml. After 5 minutes, repeat the procedure and wait for the laxative effect.
• Introduce fluid gradually. If you introduce too much water, intestinal distension may occur.
• Regulate the temperature of the liquid: it should be within 34-36 degrees (not higher than body temperature). Water that is too warm is absorbed by the intestines, and cold water causes cramps.
• After administering the liquid, squeeze the child's buttocks, since water must remain in the intestines for at least 5-10 minutes to have a laxative effect.

Massage for constipation in a newborn

Massage helps move stool through the intestines. Do it 1 hour before feeding or a couple of hours after it. Perform smooth circular movements, without pressure. During the massage, talk to your baby and smile. Complete each procedure with stroking. The optimal number of movements is 2-5 times.

1. Make circular movements clockwise.
2. Stroke the tummy from the edge to the center.
3. Use the pad of your index finger to perform a targeted massage around the navel.
4. Also massage the rectus muscles.
5. Rub your belly for relaxation.

Prunes inside for both baby and mother about constipation

Many people know that prunes have a laxative effect. Mom can use it if she eats several fruits a day or cooks compote from dried fruits.

There is also information on the Internet about the use of prune decoction for newborns. I do not recommend doing this without consulting your pediatrician. Firstly, allergies may occur, and secondly, bloating and colic.

The best solution would be for mother to use prunes; it is safe, tasty, healthy, and most importantly, with breast milk it will go straight into the newborn’s mouth.

Beets are a wonderful laxative, but do not use them without consulting your doctor.

To relieve constipation in a child, use raw beetroot juice. The mother should drink it (since the baby may have allergies), and only after consulting a doctor. You can prepare it at home:

1. Take ripe beets and peel them.
2. Wash the root vegetable and grate it.
3. Place the raw material in cheesecloth and squeeze out the juice.
4. Let it sit for a couple of hours, then dilute it half and half with boiled water.

It is very important not to use the juice immediately after preparation; it contains toxic substances that are deactivated after a few hours.

Before use, be sure to consult your pediatrician about possible side effects.

I know that doctors are against such therapy, I completely agree with them. Don't experiment, use more humane ways to cure constipation.

Oil

Yes, you are right, oil does help with constipation, but not in newborns. There is a lot of advice on the Internet; they recommend pumpkin, sea buckthorn, and flaxseed. They write that just one drop is enough for the baby and there is no constipation.

Please think about how such a small organism will cope with oil? Does it already have all the necessary enzymes and substances for digestion?

• Alumina. The medicine contains aluminum oxide and is used for weakened rectal tone. The product acts slowly, so you can’t expect quick results. Dilute the drug to 12-30 divisions.
• Graphite. The drug contains carbon and is used for gastritis, stomach ulcers, and indigestion. Helps well with atonic constipation. Assigned from 3 to 12 divisions.
• Bryony. The medicine is produced from the plant of the same name. It is effective for flatulence, constipation with dry and hard feces. For constipation in infants, division 3 is given.

Before using any product to relieve stool obstruction, consult your doctor. First of all, you need to find out the causes of constipation in a child, and then select the optimal treatment method.

Problems such as constipation occur frequently. Not all parents know how to behave correctly in this case. The famous children's doctor E. O Komarovsky recommends that young mothers not worry, but carefully monitor the child’s condition. Before taking any measures, you need to know exactly what symptoms are accompanied by Komarovsky, who believes that the baby’s rare bowel movements should not always be treated. In most cases, it is enough to adjust the child’s diet and daily routine. This is exactly what Dr. Komarovsky teaches young parents.

Constipation in infants

In medicine, it is believed that a baby up to three months old should have bowel movements two to four times a day. And constipation is a condition when there is no stool for more than two days. But here everything is individual. Sometimes it happens that a breastfed baby completely absorbs mother's milk. And he has a bowel movement every 3-5 days. Before panicking and giving the baby medication, 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 movements do not cause him discomfort, then rare bowel movements are normal. We 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, and yellowish. If a child is constipated, his stool will be dark in color, have an unpleasant odor, and be 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 determine whether a child is sick or whether such bowel movements are normal for him. Therefore, if there are any deviations in the behavior of the baby, you should contact a pediatrician. After all, before treating your baby, you need to know what causes his constipation. This condition can be caused by many factors:

• pathologies of intestinal development, for example, Hirschsprung's disease;
• various inflammatory and infectious diseases, colds;
• disturbance of intestinal microflora;
• taking certain medications, especially antibiotics;
• allergic reaction to cow's milk and some other products.

In such cases, only a doctor can treat constipation in an infant. Komarovsky advises mothers to take some measures on their own if infrequent bowel movements are caused by other reasons:

• lack of breast milk, which results in so-called “hunger” constipation;
• improper diet of the mother, because everything that a woman eats passes into her milk;
• lack of water, which helps remove feces;
• transition from breastfeeding to artificial feeding, since up to 4 months mother’s milk not only feeds the baby, but also protects against diseases;
• introduction of complementary foods, in this case the child’s intestines may react to unfamiliar food with constipation;
• changing the milk formula, which may contain a component intolerable to the baby;
• overheating the child with too warm and dry air, which causes dehydration;
• stress and anxiety of the baby due to a change in environment, his fear when he is left alone.

Normal stool in newborns

After birth, the functioning of all the baby’s organs improves for some time. In the first three days, the baby passes black-green plasticine-like feces - meconium. Then, until one and a half months, the baby poops as many times as he eats - 8-12. His stools are mushy, yellowish in color, with a sour odor. But before 3 or 4 months, the baby’s intestinal functions have not yet fully developed; many enzymes and beneficial bacteria are missing. Therefore, this often happens at this time. Komarovsky urges parents not to panic, but to try to improve the nutrition of the nursing mother or consult a doctor about choosing formula milk. Normally, a breastfed baby should poop 4-5 times a day. And in those who are artificial, bowel movements occur less frequently - 1-2 times. Moreover, the feces should be soft and mushy.

Constipation in infants during breastfeeding

A child who eats mother's milk may not poop for up to 3-4 days. This is considered normal if the baby is not bothered by anything, if he is cheerful and cheerful, sleeps well and is gaining weight. This means that breast milk is suitable for him and is well absorbed. Only in rare cases does a baby develop real constipation. Komarovsky believes that measures need to be taken if the baby does not gain weight, is restless and cries. But before using any medications, you should definitely consult your doctor. In most cases, you can cope with the problem simply by changing the mother's diet.

What rules should a woman follow so that her child has regular bowel movements?

But even if the mother follows all the rules, sometimes a baby experiences constipation while breastfeeding. Komarovsky believes that this is due to a lack of water. He recommends feeding your baby with clean water or raisin decoction in hot weather. But it is not advisable to use a bottle with a nipple for this, so that the baby does not get used to it. You can give your child water from a spoon or a special drinking bowl, and a very small child can be given 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 this happens more often with artificial mothers. What can you 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 breast milk until 4-5 months. If the mother has enough of it, the baby will receive everything he needs. Very often, constipation occurs in infants when complementary foods are introduced. To prevent this, Komarovsky advises starting not with egg yolks or fruit juices, but with vegetable puree or dairy-free porridge. After some time, the baby’s diet needs to be varied so that he receives a sufficient amount of dietary fiber. Therefore, vegetable soups and purees, porridges, especially not ready-made ones, but made by the mother, are very important in the diet of children. After 7-8 months, you need to give your baby wholemeal bread, fresh fruits and vegetables.

Sometimes it happens that constipation appears in a baby after Komarovsky advises in this case to give either prune puree, pumpkin, or raisin decoction. It is advisable to include these products in the diet if the baby is already 6 months old. Food for a child should be prepared immediately before consumption; it is not advisable to boil it well. If you follow these rules, you can prevent constipation in your baby.

What to do

Komarovsky gives some advice on how you can help your baby. After all, it is not always possible to see a doctor right away. But every mother is able to alleviate the child’s condition. And only if these measures do not help, you should definitely contact a medical facility. So, what to do if your baby is constipated? Komarovsky recommends the following methods:

It is necessary to call an ambulance or consult a doctor as soon as possible if your child has the following symptoms:

• abdominal pain, gas formation, bloating;
• loss of appetite, refusal to eat;
• blood appears in the stool;
• frequent vomiting;
• The baby's stool and urine are dark and have an unpleasant odor.

What medications can be used in infants for constipation?

It is not recommended to give babies any medications without consulting a doctor. Even the safest drugs approved for use from birth can harm the immature intestinal microflora of a 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 remove feces. The following drugs containing lactulose are recommended: Duphalac, Normaze, Portalak, Lizalak and some others. To begin with, it is better to give these medications in a reduced dosage. And if you need long-term use, you should definitely consult your doctor.
• To reduce gas formation in the intestines, doctors prescribe the following drugs to children: Espumisan, Plantex or Sub-Simplex. They help relieve cramps and gently remove gases, relieving bloating.
• Komarovsky considers glycerin suppositories to be the best remedy for constipation in infants. Children's ones are very rarely sold on sale, but regular ones can also be used. One candle needs to be cut in half lengthwise and then crosswise. You will get four parts. You need to smooth out all the edges of one piece of candle with clean hands and carefully insert it into the baby’s anus. Gently squeeze his buttocks and hold for a while. This suppository will help soften stool and gently move it out.

How to give an enema to a baby

Many people believe that this is the only way to treat constipation in a baby. Komarovsky recommends using an enema only in extreme cases. Their frequent use washes out beneficial bacteria from the intestines and weakens its tone. How to properly give an enema to a baby?

1. Take a rubber bulb with a soft tip; it should have a volume of up to 60 ml.
2. Typically, chamomile decoction is used for infants. It should be at room temperature. Water that is too warm will be immediately absorbed through the intestinal walls.
3. Lay the baby on his side or back. Lubricate the anus and the enema tip with baby cream.
4. Squeeze the bulb a little to remove air from it. Carefully insert the tip no more than a couple of centimeters into the baby's intestines. If resistance is felt, do not press.
5. Release the water slowly, but do not use force. The process of intestinal contraction occurs in waves, so if you feel resistance, you need to wait a little. Take out the enema.
6. Squeeze your baby's buttocks and hold for a couple of minutes.

But more convenient to use and safer for the child are ready-made microenemas, which are sold in pharmacies. For example, you can buy Microlax. But you shouldn’t do them often to prevent addiction.

Folk remedies for constipation

Many mothers try to help their child with the help of recipes that their grandmothers used. They push a piece of soap, a cotton swab coated with Vaseline, or a thermometer into the baby’s anus. This is how constipation in an infant was often treated in the past. Komarovsky warns parents against using such means. He believes that he is over the child. In addition, such drugs can injure the mucous membrane, cause irritation in the anus and further aggravate the problem.

Among folk remedies, the doctor prefers decoctions that help remove gases. It is best to brew dill seed, anise or fennel. Komarovsky considers it very useful. In addition to its laxative effect, this drink enriches the body with potassium, which is very important for normal intestinal function. There is a greater choice of remedies if a baby has constipation for 6 months. Komarovsky recommends giving your baby juice, decoction or puree of prunes, and including foods rich in fiber in the diet.

Preventing constipation

Everyone knows that it is better to prevent a problem than to look for ways to cope with it. Dr. Komarovsky says a lot about constipation in infants, but the main thing he focuses on is the need to establish proper nutrition for the baby. How should you act to prevent constipation?

• A bottle-fed baby should receive enough water.
• If the baby is fed breast milk, then the mother needs to drink at least 2 liters of liquid and eat foods rich in potassium.
• Place the baby on his tummy more often, ideally for 5 minutes each time before feeding.
• Do gymnastics with your child regularly: lift his legs, bend them at the knees, exercises on a gymnastic ball are useful.
• You need to give the baby a light tummy massage, it helps relieve muscle spasms and reduce gas formation.
• The child should not be allowed to overheat.
• The food of babies who are already receiving complementary foods should not be highly heat-treated and very soft.

You need to treat constipation in infants yourself only if it is the only symptom. And when a baby experiences abdominal pain, has increased gas formation and lacks appetite, it is necessary to urgently consult a doctor.

A common cause of sleepless nights for young parents is disruption of the child's developing intestinal tract: colic, flatulence and constipation. According to statistics, every fifth baby suffers from the latter. Typically, formula-fed or mixed-fed babies are susceptible to this unpleasant disease, but infants are also at risk. What is the cause of constipation and infants, how to avoid it, what emergency measures can be taken and how to ensure comfortable digestion for the baby - tasks of paramount importance. Parents' non-serious attitude to this problem or the use of medications and treatment methods inconsistent with the pediatrician is fraught with a lot of complications for the baby at an older age.

What can be considered constipation in a baby?

From a medical point of view, constipation in a child under one year of age is considered difficulty in defecation or lack of bowel movements in the last 24 hours. This concept is quite vague, since it is closely related to the specific age of the child: in a bottle-fed baby and in an infant, the frequency and consistency of stool will differ significantly. For example, for newborns under the age of one month, the norm is to have bowel movements in the same amount as there were meals. This is for breastfeeding. For an artificial child, the norm is only 2–3 bowel movements per day.

The instability of the baby's intestines is of great importance. Without the help of a specialist, it is quite difficult to determine when a baby suffers from constipation, and when a decrease in stool frequency is just a physiological feature of the development of a small organism. Therefore, it is important to control not only the number of “passages”, but also the consistency, smell, density and color of feces, and the child’s behavior before and during bowel movements.

Baby stool up to six months has a semi-liquid consistency. It is yellow in color, without an unpleasant odor, and may contain particles of undigested breast milk in the form of curdled inclusions. Artificial feces are denser and may have a characteristic specific odor.

Signs and symptoms of constipation

The main thing you need to pay attention to is the general condition of the child and the consistency of the stool. Symptoms indicating constipation include:

• A child with constipation is capricious and cries;
• restless behavior of the child during bowel movements: but straining does not lead to any result, expression of pain on the face, pushing, crying;
• any attempt to empty the intestines is accompanied by screams and restless movements of the baby;
• When a baby is constipated, the feces are hard: either they look like peas, or the first portion looks like a “cork”, followed by a mushy mass;
• incomplete bowel movement;
• regular stool retention for 1 – 2 days;
• restless sleep;
• refusal to eat;
• absence of gases;
• causeless crying;
• bloating;
• pulling your knees to your chest;
• vomit.

The manifestation of one or two of these signs does not mean that the baby is constipated, but if several symptoms are present, you can be quite confident in the diagnosis and begin treatment. First of all, be sure to contact the pediatrician observing the child. It is necessary to exclude the possibility of an intestinal reaction to medications taken, new foods, the start of complementary feeding and other factors that provoke difficulties in the gastrointestinal tract. Be sure to diagnose dysbiosis, allergic reactions and other digestive pathologies. A nursing mother should urgently introduce into her diet foods that activate the motility of intestinal smooth muscles: boiled prunes, beets, pumpkin. For children after six months, in the absence of allergies, these products can also be used as complementary foods.

If the child is calm, does not refuse the breast or bottle, and bowel movements do not cause him discomfort, then this is definitely not constipation. In newborns, mother's milk or formula can be absorbed so well that they simply cannot go to the toilet.

If the listed problems are still present, then before treating constipation, it is necessary to find out the reasons.

Causes of constipation

In the first stages of constipation, it is quite easy to deal with it by simply eliminating the causes that provoked constipation. These include:

• Lack of fluid

This is an extremely pressing cause of constipation for bottle-fed infants, especially in hot summers or winters, when the air in the room is dry due to heating appliances. Be sure to increase the amount of water your child consumes. Popular pediatrician Komarovsky strongly recommends supplementing even breastfed newborns.

• Poor nutrition of a nursing mother, an adapted formula that is unsuitable for the baby, a lack of foods that stimulate the gastrointestinal tract (beets, pumpkin, dried apricots, figs, apples, peaches, apricots, prunes and others)

• Taking certain medications by an infant or nursing mother

Constipation is possible when taking antidepressants and antispasmodics. antibiotics, bismuth and iron preparations, NSAIDs, anticonvulsants, muscle relaxants. Taking and stopping any medications, both by the mother and the baby, must be previously agreed upon with the pediatrician.

• Breast milk deficiency

Causes so-called “hunger constipation” in an infant. In this case, all the food consumed is absorbed into the walls of the internal organs and blood, and the intestines simply have nothing to process.

• Introduction of complementary foods

More often, the introduction of complementary foods helps to normalize the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract, but it can also cause difficulties with stool. You should carefully monitor your intestinal reaction to new foods. Also, early pregnancy can contribute to constipation.

• Abrupt change in nutrition

This is possible when there is a sudden loss of milk from the mother, replacement of one adapted formula with another, or incorrect transition from one type of feeding to another. Constipation usually disappears after adaptation to the new food.

• Psychological constipation

This is by no means a myth, as some people think. A child’s body, finding itself in unusual or uncomfortable conditions (for example, when a baby separates from its mother), responds to stress in exactly this way. Also, the child may be afraid to recover because of the pain that occurs at this moment. In this case, you need to try to return the normal mushy consistency to the baby’s stool by following a diet.

There is another reason for psychological constipation - a child can manipulate adults in this way. If any signs of constipation in a baby cause his parents to panic and the parents begin to constantly feel sorry for, console and fuss around the child, then the baby may deliberately hold back stool. The only way to treat such a situation is to take a calm approach to the problem.

• Colds or infectious diseases

An increase in body temperature can cause significant compaction of stool and lead to constipation.

It is extremely important that constipation itself may be one of the signs of serious diseases and pathologies, so it is important not to self-medicate, but to consult a doctor. Such diseases include:

• Genetic predisposition.
• Anatomical defects of the gastrointestinal tract.
• Diabetes.
• Disturbances in the gastrointestinal tract.
• Rickets.
• Diseases of the nervous system.
• Myasthenia.
• Spinal cord dysfunction.
• Liver diseases.
• Lactose deficiency.
• An allergic reaction to a protein in cow's milk.
• Food allergies.
• Hypothyroidism.

Diseases that lead to constipation. Fortunately, these diseases are uncommon. These include dolichosigma, Hirschsprung's disease and lactase deficiency.

• Dolichosigma is an elongation of the sigmoid colon. Bowel emptying is slowed down due to kinks and excess pressure of the sigmoid colon on itself and the rectum;
• Hirschsprung's disease occurs due to disruption of the intestinal innervation. This leads to the fact that some parts of the intestine do not work and are in a spasmodic state;
• Lactase deficiency occurs due to the absence or small amount of the enzyme that breaks down milk sugar (lactase). In this case, the baby's constipation will be replaced by diarrhea.

Only a doctor can identify such constipation in a baby, and only a doctor can decide what needs to be done in this situation.

Treatment of constipation

The first task in treating constipation is to determine its cause and eliminate it. To establish normal bowel function in a newborn, you need:

1. Medical examination.
2. When breastfeeding, apply more frequently to the breast.
3. For a child on artificial nutrition, supplementation with special baby water (not boiled) between meals, and the volume of liquid should be equal to the volume of one serving.
4. For an infant over 6 months old, introduce apples and vegetables into the diet.
5. For a child after one year, soup is a mandatory dish in the daily diet.

General recommendations for combating constipation also include: correcting the diet of the mother and baby, increasing the amount of fluid consumed, changing the nature of complementary foods, or changing the adapted formula to one that contains more lactobacilli.

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Separately, we should dwell on the issue of complementary feeding. Independent experts have long proven that store-bought juices, purees and other “jars for children,” regardless of the manufacturer, are made with the addition of quite harmful substances and preservatives and are the strongest allergens for children. Try to find some time to prepare really healthy complementary foods. From ordinary carrots or apples you will get many times more healthy and fortified puree or juice. The money saved on purchasing the dangerous “Agushi” can be spent on a convenient blender or juicer, which will make it easier to prepare foods for complementary feeding.

Enemas and laxatives should only be used as a last resort. They wash away beneficial microflora from the intestines: potassium, vitamins, protein, microelements; contribute to a decrease in intestinal muscle tone, lead to disruption of the natural bowel cleansing reflex, and interfere with the absorption of nutrients. Before using these emergency measures in a panic, you should try softer and harmless methods, which in most cases give a positive result. These methods include:

Tummy massage

It is aimed at relieving spasms, increasing intestinal tone and activating intestinal peristalsis. It is performed by soft stroking with light pressure on the baby’s belly. Movements must be performed clockwise. You can additionally place an ironed towel or diaper on the baby’s tummy. Just make sure that it is not hot, but warm. Warm baths and the warmth of the mother's body also help a lot: just lightly press the baby's tummy against your own stomach.

Abdominal massage for constipation:

Mechanical stimulation of the intestines

It is performed by irritating the anus. Can be done using a cotton swab generously lubricated with baby cream. The stick is inserted shallowly into the anus and gently turned several times. Usually, a bowel movement occurs within a few minutes.

When carrying out the procedure, there is a risk of scratching the epithelium of the anus with the stick, so you need to act extremely carefully, with light movements, and do not abuse this method.

For similar purposes, a special gas outlet tube is provided. It is also carefully inserted into the rectum, which allows you to activate the process of defecation.

Glycerin suppositories

You can use special rectal suppositories for newborns. They quickly soften stool and help cleanse the intestines. For a newborn, 1/3 of a suppository is enough. It must be carefully cut and, smoothing the sharp ends with your finger, slowly and carefully inserted into the anus.

If an hour after the introduction of the suppository the child still has not emptied his intestines, you should call a doctor. Sometimes suppositories can cause unpleasant sensations: burning, itching, allergic reactions, so glycerin suppositories are also considered emergency measures.

There is an old and supposedly effective “grandmother’s” method of treating constipation, in which a bar of soap is used instead of a glycerin suppository. You need to know that this is a very dangerous method: soap contains alkali and other harmful substances that can lead to burns of the rectum. Even when using baby soap, it is difficult to guarantee that it is made without dangerous ingredients.

Enema

An enema is considered an emergency measure for relieving constipation. A syringe (20 – 30 ml) with cooled boiled water or a decoction of medicinal chamomile is inserted to a depth of no more than 1.5 cm into the baby’s anus and all the liquid is slowly injected. The required liquid temperature is about 37 °C. It is advisable to dissolve a pinch of table salt in the enema water and add a couple of drops of pharmaceutical glycerin. When purchasing a syringe, choose a rubber or silicone tip rather than a plastic one; they are less traumatic. First, the tip of the syringe must be generously lubricated with baby cream or oil. Too warm water should not be used: it will simply be absorbed into the intestinal walls, and the desired result will not be achieved.

A modern analogue of an enema with a milder effect, designed specifically for newborns. It is a micro-enema based on a water-salt solution with the addition of glycerin. The effect of Microlax occurs a quarter of an hour after application. You must first read the instructions for use and do not insert the tip into the rectum beyond the drawn line.

These methods can be used as emergency measures, especially for regular constipation. Frequent use of an enema disrupts the functioning and favorable microflora of the intestinal tract and causes dysbiosis, which will have to be treated with probiotics.

Laxatives

Taking laxatives is only necessary when nothing else helps. Most laxatives are contraindicated for an infant under one year of age. An exception is Duphalac syrup and similar lactulose-based preparations. To induce bowel movement, Duphalac must be given to the baby in a volume of 5 ml. If the baby is fed breast milk, then the product can also be used by a nursing mother.

A six-month-old child can take Forlax. Its great advantage is that it can be used for up to three months.

Before using any remedy, remember that medications can only be prescribed by the attending physician, and emergency measures are allowed to be used only if absolutely necessary: ​​when all methods of treating constipation have proven ineffective.

Small children often have tummy pain. How to help a child? What are the best treatments for constipation for an infant? Do I need to use medications or can I use folk remedies? All these questions are answered by Galina Viktorovna Orlova, a pediatrician at the House Doctor with extensive experience:

Preventive measures

The simplest and most effective treatment method is to prevent the disease. The health of children under one year of age requires constant monitoring and attention. Don’t wait for the first signs of constipation; start preventive measures immediately.

• A simple but effective method is very useful: before feeding and after eating, carry the baby in a column for several minutes;
• Do gymnastics regularly. To do this, place the baby on his back, carefully and smoothly lift his legs bent at the knees and lightly press him to the tummy. Repeat several times, avoiding sudden movements. It is also useful to do the bicycle exercise;
• Provide the baby with the necessary amount of liquid. Instead of tea and juices, it is better to drink special bottled baby water. There is no need to boil it. When introducing complementary foods, juices must be diluted with water;
• If the baby is more than 4 months old, prune juice is an excellent remedy for constipation. Two teaspoons is enough. After six months you can use prune puree. Both fresh fruits and dried fruits are equally effective. You can add prunes to compotes;
• Don't wrap your baby up. Overheating, along with dehydration, is one of the main causes of constipation. This is also relevant for colds and infectious diseases: if the baby has a fever, give him food as often as possible, otherwise constipation after illness cannot be avoided;
• Effective drinks for constipation - dried fruit compote with dried apricots and prunes, raisin water. To prepare it, just pour boiling water over a spoonful of pure raisins and leave in a thermos;
• Give preference to vegetables with a “laxative effect” and a high content of coarse fiber, fruits rich in potassium. These are figs, green apples, prunes, dried apricots, beets, carrots, peach, apricot, pumpkin. These same products should be included in the diet of a nursing mother;
• Preparations with bifidobacteria and lactobacilli, fermented milk products, and natural yoghurts are extremely beneficial for the intestinal microflora. They are indicated for both the child and the mother;
• Try to breastfeed your baby for as long as possible, the first six months are especially important. If this is not possible, give preference to adapted fermented milk mixtures;
• If treatment with antibiotics is necessary, at the same time as taking them, start giving drugs to prevent dysbacteriosis.

There is no need to panic if your baby is constipated. The first step to recovery is identifying and eliminating the causes of the disease. But do not self-medicate and do not use grandmother’s treatment methods without consulting a doctor. Most often, it is enough to improve your diet, drink more fluids and do not forget about massage and gymnastics for the disease to recede. In emergency situations, Duphalac, glycerin suppositories or an enema will help. Pay maximum attention to the treatment of constipation. The formation and normalization of the gastrointestinal tract in the first year of life is the key to the future health of the child.

On the topic of newborn stool:

VIDEO: what to do if you are constipated