Constipation is a common problem for children of all ages, but less than 5% of children are really constipated due to medical problems such as Hirschsprung’s disease, anal abnormalities, nutrition absorption disorders, spinal abnormalities, and drug effects, which can be determined by going to the hospital for professional physical examination.
In most cases, the constipation problem can be solved by taking diet and drug treatment for constipated babies at home. The following will introduce which situations need to be treated in time, as well as the precautions and specific methods for family treatment.
When should what see a doctor?
If the baby is less than 4 months old, or has severe abdominal pain or rectal pain, or encounters the following conditions, you need to see a doctor as soon as possible.
No defecation within 24 hours after treatment for constipation in the family; Babies within 4 months do not defecate for 24 hours beyond the normal defecation cycle. For example, a baby usually defecates once every 2 days and does not defecate for 3 days. Babies within 4 months excrete hard stool instead of soft or thin stool. There is blood on the diaper; You have any problems or worries about your baby’s defecation habits.
Is my baby defecating normally?
Since it is difficult for babies under 1 year old to express themselves, parents need to observe very carefully to judge whether your baby has defecation problems.
The interval between two defecations is [normal], which should be judged according to the baby’s age and the food he eats. The defecation situation is also due to some changes in these factors.
Normal defecation
In the first week after birth, Babies discharge soft or watery stool about 4 times a day, Breastfed babies usually defecate more frequently than formula-fed babies. In the first 3 months of life, Breastfed babies have soft bowels about 3 times a day. Some babies defecate after each feeding. While some babies only defecate once a week. Breastfed babies seldom suffer from constipation. Most formula-fed babies defecate 2-3 times a day. The frequency of defecation is related to the type of formula. Some soy milk formulas and milk formulas produce stiffer stool, while hydrolyzed milk protein formulas produce softer stool. Babies’ abdominal muscles are weak, and they usually exert themselves when defecating, and their faces flush red. If they excrete soft stool within a few minutes after exerting themselves, there is generally no need to worry about constipation.
Abnormal defecation
Constipation baby typical performance is stool hard or small granular. Baby defecation times than the original reduction. If normal 3 ~ 4 times a day, now 1 ~ 2 days defecation once may be defecation reduction. Baby defecation may arch back, clamp buttocks, and cry.
Baby constipation, can try these at home
Babies who start to add supplementary foods may suffer from constipation. If babies over 4 months old encounter defecation problems, they can try the following family treatment methods.
Juice
If the baby is over 4 months old, you can try to treat constipation with fruit juice, especially prune juice, apple juice or pear juice. Babies aged 4-8 months can drink a total of 60-120 mL 100% pure fruit juice every day. Babies aged 8-12 months can drink up to 180 mL of fruit juice every day.
High fiber food
If the baby has already started to eat supplementary foods, Replace rice flour with baby rice flour from barley. You can also give your baby high-fiber fruits and vegetables, such as pears, apples, strawberries, papaya, prune, avocado, tomatoes, mangoes, beans, sweet potatoes, lentils, potatoes, corn, peas, broccoli, cabbage, spinach, cauliflower, carrots, etc. You can mix fruit juice with rice flour or fruit puree or vegetable puree.
About Foods Containing Iron
Infant formula containing iron does not cause or aggravate constipation because the iron content in it is very low. Therefore, it is not recommended to switch to low-iron formula, which is not helpful for constipation treatment.
Iron contains more iron, which may sometimes lead to constipation. Babies who are taking iron supplements sometimes need to change their diet or some treatment methods to ensure constipation does not occur.
Anal suppository
If the stool is too hard to block the rectum, occasionally use Kaisailu or plug the anus with a thermometer after lubrication. However, this cannot be used frequently because it may be tolerated by the baby, and Kaisailu may irritate the anus or rectal mucosa. If you want to use it, it is best to consult a pediatrician.