Baby Constipation-Useful Information
Constipation is the condition in which one experience difficult and occasional hard and dry stools. It is a functional problem that is often made worse by a lack of fiber in the diet.
Children may feel intermittent abdominal discomfort or pain when stools are passed. It’s not the number of bowel movements each day that determines whether a baby or child has constipation.
Causes and symptoms the baby constipation
Constipation is extremely common in children’s. The most common cause is insufficient amount of fruits, vegetables, whole grains (fiber), and fluids in the child’s diet. Children who are constipated often report intermittent abdominal discomfort. After a time, parents may notice soiling of the child’s underwear because liquid stool from the intestine involuntarily leaks around’ hard stool in the rectum.
Small amounts of blood may appear from small erosions (fissures) caused by the passage of hard stools.
Occasionally, constipation can lead to difficult with urination. With fever, the body losses water through the skin and in the breath, so the intestines may absorb more water from the bowel movement, making it hard and dry.
Treatment
Minor cases of constipation can be treated by increasing the child’s dietary fiber, either with whole grains and fruits or with a supplement such as psyllium. Good hydration is important. Sometimes, reducing the intake of milk helps constipation.
Children become distracted and typically do not sit long enough on the toilet to pass constipated stools. They need to be guided to sit an adequate time on the toilet at regular intervals at least twice a day—so they can establish a routine that gives them the opportunity to defecate fully.
Parents can use enemas and stool softeners, such as mineral oil or milk of magnesia, to facilitate this process if necessary.
A new medicine that contains polyethylene glycol is often prescribed for childhood constipation. Children accustomed to withholding. Their stools may need several months of stool softeners to get them reconditioned to soft, comfortable stools.
Home Care
Diet Treatment for Babies under 1 Year Old- For babies over 2 months old on only formula or breast milk, add fruit juices (like apple or pear) twice a day+ Try prune juice as a next step.
Switching to soy formula may also give looser stools.
If your baby is over 4 months old, add baby foods with high fiber content— peas, beans, bananas, prunes, pears, plums, or cereal -twice a day1 (Note: If necessary, strained peas or oat meal cereal can be added to the formula of All strained fruits and vegetables are helpful for constipation (this includes strained apples and bananas.