Constipation in infants is a condition in which it is difficult to poop regularly and is very difficult to do. If your baby is pooping at intervals of three to four days, if his poop is lumpy and hard, you should consider that your baby may be constipated. Constipation is one of the most common problems in babies. Constipation causes aches and pains, and because of this, the baby avoids pooping. Failure of the baby to go to the toilet can make the situation worse. Therefore, as a mother, you should also follow your baby and notice the constipation situation. You can tell if the baby is constipated by looking at the frequency of toileting.
The most common cause of constipation in infants is fluid deficiency. If your baby has less fluid in his diet, he is more likely to encounter constipation. Sufficient amount of liquid should be added to the feeding programs of babies. Breastfed babies are less likely to be constipated. Because with breast milk, the baby receives the required amount of fluid and minerals necessary for its health. Although you do not encounter constipation in babies during breastfeeding, you may encounter it in the future. Constipation in infants during breastfeeding indicates that a reason other than fluid deficiency causes constipation. If your baby is less than six weeks old and is constipated, consult your doctor without delay. More detailed investigations are done for constipation in children under six weeks of age and the underlying cause is sought. The cause of constipation may be a harbinger of a disease.
How to Relieve Constipation in Babies
The first way to relieve constipation in babies is to learn what causes constipation. One of the first causes of constipation is a solid diet. Constipation can often occur when babies switch to solid feeding after breast milk. In solid nutrition, which is passed with the end of breast milk, the body begins to take new foods. These additional foods are considered new nutrients for the intestines. Therefore, we recommend that the baby eat additional foods that he can digest in the first stage. Constipation is less likely if you eat foods high in fiber. If you reduce solid feeding, you will also reduce your baby’s chances of being constipated.
Starting formula early may cause constipation. Breastfed babies’ poop is softer and more comfortable. There is no constipation problem. Constipation is less likely when breast milk is used for six months and solid food is given after the sixth month. Sometimes breast milk may be insufficient, so it can be started as supplementary food in the second and third months. When the intestines encounter solid food early, it may be difficult to digest and constipation may be encountered.
Insufficient fluid intake of the baby is also a harbinger of constipation. If the baby is dehydrated, the body takes the excess fluid to protect itself and tries to keep the fluid balance constant. If the average amount of water entering the body increases, the body will do this less frequently and you will not experience constipation. If the baby drinks less fluids, you are more likely to see hard, dry stools. Diseases other than those listed may be the cause of constipation. Hypothyroidism, allergies, botulism, hirschsprung and some metabolic diseases cause constipation. It is an understatement that constipation is caused by a disease. Therefore, before considering the disease, apply the above recommendations to your baby.
Best Solutions and Treatments
There are many methods of treating constipation in babies. Suppositories and some medications can be effective for constipation. However, you should definitely use them with the advice and prescription of your doctor. If you’re formulating your baby, make sure you’re formulating the formula correctly and use enough water. After the sixth month, we recommend that you feed your baby mashed fruit and vegetables. Avoid products such as bananas, rice, peaches, carrots, potatoes as these are constipating products.
You can buy and use probiotic products sold in pharmacies for the treatment of constipation in babies. Likewise, iron drops available in pharmacies also have the effect of reducing constipation in babies. We recommend that you avoid milk and dairy products as they may cause constipation to your baby. You will switch to supplementary food for your baby, and start tasting slowly by following the three-day rule. On the contrary, if you start intensely, the digestive system will be difficult and you will encounter constipation. If your baby is still constipated even though his eating habits have changed and he is getting enough fluids, you can also try these methods:
- Lay your baby on his back and move slowly as if he were riding a bicycle. With this method, you can activate the intestines and reduce constipation.
- Lay your baby on his back and massage his tummy. It will be healthier if the massage is clockwise compared to the baby. In this way, you can relax your baby.
- You can help your baby relax and relax by giving your baby a warm bath. Be careful, with the relaxation of the muscles, your baby may poop in the bathroom. Be prepared for situations like this
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