One of the best ways to know about the health of your baby is to look at their poop. It might sound unpleasant (and, yes, it often is); however, it is crucial to your child’s health.
If your baby is pooping normally – it is a sign that they are eating food in sufficient quantities, deriving nutrients from it, and easily disposing of the waste material. However, if your baby stops pooping for a few days, it can be a cause of concern.
Constipation in babies is fairly common and almost every baby suffers from it from time to time. But, you need to pay attention and take notice if it happens for a prolonged time because it can be a signal of an underlying disease that needs immediate attention.
If your baby is dealing with constipation, here is everything you need to know – from understanding the signs to helping your baby with quick and simple solutions.
Is my baby constipated?
To determine whether or not your baby is constipated, you should first look at their poop schedule and whether they are consistent with it or not.
There is no ideal poop schedule for babies because it differs in each case. The poop schedule of a baby will largely depend on what they are being fed. For example, babies that are solely breastfed are usually known to poop after every meal, while babies that are fed formula are sometimes known to hold it in for a week as well.
However, to give you a basic idea – a baby from the age of 0 to 5 months will usually poop three to four times a day. A breastfed baby will usually not face constipation and similar problems; however, a baby that is being majorly fed formula-based milk might suffer from such issues quite often.
Apart from consistency, look at the poop to determine whether the baby is constipated or not. The poop will likely appear as hard clay balls and your baby will have difficulty passing them. They might also stop feeding since they are in an uncomfortable situation.
How to treat constipation in babies?
Well, here are some ways in which you can treat constipation in babies:
- A change in diet is recommended when the baby is suffering from constipation. Try to change things a little. If your baby is exclusively breastfed then you should also try changing the mother’s diet and see if it shows any positive results. For babies that are exclusively dependent on formula, try to change the formula and use other products.
- Usually, babies on a solid diet suffer from constipation; however, it can also be used as a cure at times. If your baby is on a liquid diet but still suffering from constipation, try introducing a few solids to see if it helps. Fruits and vegetables like pears can help along with several fruit juices and water.
- If simple home remedies are not doing the trick, then it is time to speak to your doctor. They might recommend some other methods or might also suggest rectal stimulation. A baby usually poops within minutes of undergoing rectal stimulation.
These are just a few ways in which you can help your baby. The key is to not panic; constipation is fairly common in babies. However, you must be alert so that you can be on the lookout for any signs that signal an underlying disease if any.
