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One of the strangest things you’ll do as a new mum is examining your baby’s poop. By Wyeth Nutrition Constipation is the most common childhood complaints, affecting almost one sixth in children, but many parents find it hard to tell if their child is really constipated. The best way to recognize this condition in your baby is to first understand normal bowel habits in infants. Bowel characteristics
Your baby’s first bowel movement will be sticky and dark green, almost black. This is called meconium and will normally be passed out within the first 24 hours.
Subsequently, as long as your baby is feeding well and gaining weight, there is no need to obsess over the form, color, frequency or smell of your baby’s poop.
Breastfed babies typically have mustard-yellow stools that are sour in smell and gluey in texture, often containing grainy curds. The stools can vary in color, bulk and frequency daily depending on the mother’s diet.
Formula-fed babies have firmer and often darker stools due t the iron in the formula.
Parents will find changes in the stools of babies who are starting solids – in general, they will be darker with a more unpleasant smell
When bowel is not emptied completely, the stools inside become firmer and dryer. If the first part of the bowel movement is dry and firm but the second remains soft and moist, your baby is not constipated. Bowel frequency
Breastfed babies are seldom constipated – they can pass up to 15 bowel motions a day. If your baby poops infrequently, but pees a lot and seems satisfied between feeds with no signs of discomfort, there is no need to worry.
Formula-fed babies do not have as many bowel movements – typically about two to four times a day in the first five months. Some babies poop after every feed, while others do so only once every two to four days. What is constipation?
Constipation is defined as a delay or difficulty in defecation for more than two weeks, resulting in hard, dry stools. Babies with constipation may show signs of discomfort such as crying, wriggling or grimacing while passing motion and their tummies may become swollen. Constipation can be caused by:
Dehydration if your baby is dehydrated, his stools will become firmer. This can happen with excessive perspiration during hot weather or when he begins to take solid food.
Incorrect formula preparation Using too many scoops of formula or the wring-sized scoop can result in constipation. Follow the instructions on the formula can.
Change in feeding routine Weaning from breastfeeding or switching formula types can cause constipation. Some infants may also develop the illness from an allergy to cow’s milk protein – present in all dairy formulas.
Anal fissure Very rarely, there may be bright red bleeding as a result of a crack in the skin near the anus. See a doctor if this develops.
If your baby appears constipated but none of the above reasons seem to be the cause, seek medical advice, especially if he is experiencing fever, poor growth or loss of appetite. How to prevent and treat it
Prepare milk formula according to instructions – don’t add more powder than directed. If constipation occurs when you are weaning from breast milk to formula, check with your doctor that you are using the correct formula for your baby. Also, avoid switching formulas frequently.
Give your baby boiled water between feeds to stimulate the bowels, but be careful not to give too much as it may fill him up and prevent him from taking sufficient milk.
Also, try massaging your baby’s tummy gently with a little oil or cream starting at the bellybutton, then moving outwards in circles. Make sure he is enjoying the massage.
See the doctor if your baby has an anal fissure, and massage glycerine and sorbolene cream around the area. Leave your baby’s nappy open several times a day to air it too.
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infants with persistent constipation may need a stool softener and test to exclude underlying medical conditions. |
