Constipation not only occur in adults, can also occur in babies or infants, especially in the age range of 2-3 years. Constipation in babies is characterized by frequent crying or fussy, the frequency of bowel movements less frequently than before. To find out the baby with constipation is relatively easy. If not defecate at least three times a week, then it is likely the baby is constipated. Another trait that is easily seen is his hard stool, and tough it out. Another possibility to determine the condition of the baby is constipated, when he issued a stool, a baby's face flushed and tried to push, but no feces out. If it is there, just a little bit and look like chunks of small and hard. When touched in the rectum it would seem hard stools. Constipation in infants, must be overcome in order not to be acute or even chronic, leading to the longer treatment.
Each baby has a certain cycle, including in the matter of defecation. To find out if your baby was constipated or not, then see how the cycle defecate on your baby. It is very important to note and study, because if it happened out of the ordinary, then you can determine or detect immediately possible. You also should know that the bowel habits in infants is influenced by several things. Activity, eating and drinking as well as the ability of the baby's body in digesting food, a few things that will have an impact on how often your baby's bowel movements. If one of these factors change, the possibility of constipation will happen to your baby.
However, despite the changes in one of the above factors can alter infant bowel habits, but there is still a limit of tolerance. If the baby is late to defecate, less than three times in one week, the shape is harder than normal although the frequency is not changed, your baby feels pain and discomfort, then it is likely that your baby is constipated. However, in infants who were aged 0-5 months and still breastfed, then a bowel movement once a week is still considered to be a natural thing.
Causes of constipation in babies
According to Dr. Jane Morton, M.D., (clinical professor of pediatrics at Stanford University School of Medicine, USA), in general, babies are given formula, will more often experience constipation problems. That's because the formula is more difficult to digest, and cause the infant's stools are also harder. Allergy to cow's milk protein or lactose intolerance can also cause your baby to experience constipation. If your baby is lactose intolerant, you should not give them formula milk, as well as yogurt and cheese, when they able to eat solid foods. And if your baby breastfed, you should avoid foods and beverages, which contain cow milk, because it can be passed on through breast milk. Here are some of the causes of constipation in babies.
Baby is lack of fluids
Fluid deficiency, can cause the feces become dry or hard. In addition due to insufficient fluid intake, some babies will be hard to accept food and drinks, because their mouths are having problems such as the growth of baby teeth or sores. Another thing that makes children become lazy drinking leading to dehydration is the result of a disease, for example due to colds, ear infections, or strep throat.
At the early eat solid foods
Constipation commonly occurs in infants undergoing a transition from only consume fluids or breast milk, to solid foods. The digestive system is not yet accustomed to the presence of solid food in the stomach. In addition, it could be because the given solid food, contain less fiber.
Certain medical conditions
Certain medical conditions may contribute to the occurrence of constipation in infants. In infants under 6 months of age, the cause is usually some gastrointestinal organ abnormalities at birth, cow's milk allergy, celiac disease, calcium levels are too high in the blood (hypercalcemia), hypothyroidism, Hirschsprung's disease, and spinal cord disorders. Some other medical conditions that can cause the baby to experience constipation, among others, food poisoning, food allergies, or allergic to cow's milk.
Formula milk
Infant formulas milk have different nutritional composition compared with breastmilk. Differences in the composition, makes difficult to digest. This then causes the infant's stools harder so vulnerable to cause constipation.
How to overcome and prevent constipation in babies
How to treat constipation in infants or babies should be differentiated according to age group, so that treatment can be maximized. Unlike the adult body, the physical condition of the baby at each developmental age will vary and can not naturally make adjustments. Constipation in infants aged less than six months, requiring treatment as follows.
- If during the child given formula, discuss with your doctor, to alter the composition of infant formula or to consider replacement formula.
- A stool softener poloxamer drop 0.3 ml, can be added to infant formula to be given three times a day.
As for babies ranging in age from six months to two years, more appropriate for handling given below.
- Give a natural laxative to treat constipation. Foods that are natural laxatives are most effective in treating constipation is prune juice. It is better to mix the juices of other fruits, such as apples, apricots, and cranberry, prune juice taste so much better in the child's mouth. Boil prunes with a little fire, to get the juice. Prune juice can be given 3 tablespoons with a frequency of three times a week. It aims to prevent constipation.
- Make a habit of sitting on the toilet regularly. This is done about 3-5 minutes after eating. Children were asked to sit on the toilet, though not feel like a bowel movement. Create a cozy atmosphere, so that children feel comfortable also during defecation. Through this way, children can learn to respond to his own desire to defecate always sit on the toilet.
- Provide healthy foods with added fiber vegetables, or fruit, at least three times every day. Prioritizing gave their intake of fiber-skinned fruits that can be directly consumed, such as plums, apricots, peaches, or prunes. In addition to fruits, whole grain breads can also be given to them. Avoid cereals processed fast food, such as corn flakes or rice bubble.
- Limit cow's milk if your child is over the age of 18 months and avoid giving them a sweet drink before the main meal.
When to see a doctor
Consult your doctor if the baby does not want to eat, losing weight, or has blood in his stool. Or if the basis of the above treatments, do not help cure constipation. And if under the age of 4 months, contact the doctor if he has very hard stools, or no bowel movement within 24 hours than usual. Do not give medication or laxative constipation in infants without consulting a physician first.
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Writen by:
Mr Soed - Thursday, March 16, 2017
