Contents:
- Medical Video: How to relieve constipation in babies - Ask A Doc | Cook Children's
- Get to know BAB patterns in newborns
- BAB pattern in breastfed babies
- Characteristics and symptoms of constipation in breast-fed infants
- How do you deal with constipation in infants?
- 1. Give water to drink
- 2. Give fruit juice
- 3. Give baby food
- 4. Consult a doctor
- Conclusion
Medical Video: How to relieve constipation in babies - Ask A Doc | Cook Children's
When having a baby, changing diapers will be an inevitable routine for you as a parent. Moreover, if you provide exclusive breastfeeding for your baby, of course the frequency of defecation (BAB) your child will increase. However, what if your breastmilk doesn't defecate enough? Is it possible for your baby to experience constipation? If yes, what can you do?
Get to know BAB patterns in newborns
The pattern of defecation in infants will be affected by their age. Infants aged 0 to 3 days will produce dark colored stools like tar, called meconium. Along with the entry of breast milk into the digestive tract, the baby's stool will become softer and the color will be brighter.
At the age of 2 to 6 weeks, babies will usually defecate two to five times in 24 hours. Some healthy babies may have more defecation than this amount, and some other healthy babies will defecate less than that amount.
If your baby is under six months and defecates less than twice a day, this may still be considered normal. Your baby may not experience constipation if:
- Lots of urination.
- Having a normal weight gain.
BAB pattern in breastfed babies
After entering the age of more than six weeks, the frequency of CHAPTER your baby may decrease along with the reduction in colostrum in your breast milk. Infants aged 6 weeks or more may be defecated approximately 5 times a day, every time after breastfeeding, or maybe only once a day.
READ ALSO: Why Are Babies and Toddlers Often Difficult to Defecate?
Some babies even only have a bowel movement once a week, even though the volume released will be very large. As long as your baby has an ideal weight gain and frequent bedwetting, then don't assume that your baby has constipation.
After you introduce solid food to your baby, then your child's BAB pattern can change again. Stool characteristics may be more smelly with differences in consistency and color than before. In addition, your child's BAB frequency may change.
Characteristics and symptoms of constipation in breast-fed infants
Seeing your baby straining when feeling heartburn or wanting to have a bowel movement might make you think he has constipation. However, don't be mistaken, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) says that babies do need a lot of effort to defecate. So, don't think that your baby has constipation if his face turns red or he cries when he is heartburn.
You can use the following questions to determine whether your baby is really constipated or not:
- Is my baby very fussy?
- Is there blood in the baby's stool?
- Does my baby vomit more often than usual?
- Is my baby defecating more or less than usual?
- Did my baby wait for CHAPTER for 10 minutes or more before finally giving up?
- Is my baby's stool dry and hard?
- Does my baby arch his back, tighten his buttocks, and cry when trying to defecate?
These things might be a sign that your baby has constipation. However, if your baby's stool is soft after he straining or crying, he is less likely to experience constipation.
READ ALSO: What happens to babies after switching from breast milk to formula
How do you deal with constipation in infants?
If you worry that your baby has constipation, you can immediately contact your pediatrician. You can also ask your doctor about your child's BAB pattern.
To deal with constipation and relieve the pain your child is experiencing, you can try the following things. But remember, this method it should only be done if your baby is over one year old, or has started eating solid food:
1. Give water to drink
In addition to breast milk, you can drink water for your child once a day.
2. Give fruit juice
If water cannot relieve symptoms in your baby, try replacing it with a small portion of apples, prunes, or pears. Your baby will not be able to digest the sugar contained in it, and this can help make stool softer.
Make sure that your juice contains 100% fruit without added ingredients. Start from 30 to 60 ml of fruit mixed with water with a ratio of 1: 1. You may have to try it many times with different amounts to see your baby's response to the juice you give.
READ ALSO: Can You Give Fruit Juice to Babies?
3. Give baby food
If you want to give your baby solid food, try giving him plum or bean porridge. Never give food that can cause constipation such as bananas.
4. Consult a doctor
If the methods above cannot help, then you are advised to immediately consult a doctor. Your doctor may give a mild laxative for your child.
In some rare cases, constipation in infants can be associated with serious medical conditions such as cystic fibrosis, hypothyroidism, and Hirschsprung's disease. Therefore, immediately come to the doctor if a change in diet is not able to make your child better. Also pay attention to signs such as bloody stools and vomiting.
Conclusion
Sembeli in infants will usually be accompanied by other symptoms. If your baby is still having a lot of bedwetting, having a normal weight gain, and still looking fit, then defecating once a week is not something to worry about.
