Constipation is the condition in which defecation becomes difficult and painful. It can occur in babies too for various reasons. Normally infants have 4-5 bowel movements daily. Breast-fed babies will have more bowel movements than formula-fed babies, and they rarely develop constipation. Constipation occurs when there is a violation of normal bowel function. Normal bowel function in babies can vary on several grounds. As age increases and complementary food is introduced, babies tend to develop lesser bowel movements. Bowel movements occurring two times a day in a 6 months old baby is very normal, and any rate less than that is to be identified as constipation.
When baby has painful defecation and when the consistency of the feces is hard the condition can be considered as baby constipation. One of the very noticeable signs of baby constipation is a crying baby characterized by abdominal pain. In a baby with constipation, defecation may occur daily but the feces will be thick and in small fragments. It can be caused by a dysfunctional large intestine or an abnormal colon. Mostly it is caused by pinching of feces in the lower intestine due to constriction of muscles. The more the stool remains in the intestine the harder it becomes. However, baby constipations are of two types- organic constipation and functional constipation.
In organic constipation anatomical defects or developmental disabilities play a significant role. Usually organic constipation begins at birth due to the lack of independent defecation. Other causes for organic constipation are an enlarged colon with a narrowing lower region as in Hirschsprung's disease and Dolichosigmoid.
Functional constipation may be due to a variety of reasons such as an improper diet of feeding mother, baby's reduced intake of water, artificial feeding in infancy, irregular diet of children, dehydration and mainly, oppression of the defecation reflex.
Symptoms of constipation in babies
If the baby passes harder stools or if he has not passed stool for one or two days, it can be taken as symptoms of baby constipation. He or she may have a hard abdomen, the discomfort of which makes the baby cry.
Usually baby constipation is cured with home remedies and a change in the diet itself. Prune juice diluted with water given to babies more than 6 months old is shown to have good results. The juice should be diluted in the ratio one ounce water for an ounce of prune juice. Prune juice is given in addition to breast milk or other formula. In babies who develop constipation after they are introduced to baby food the condition can be treated by reducing cereals and giving fruits like prunes and apricot instead.
Constipation in babies less than 6 months old can be treated after consulting a pediatrician. If the baby is formula fed talk to your doctor about changing the formula. Along with constipation you may also notice the baby urinating much less. Give the baby plenty of water to drink. A warm compress will give relief to pain accompanied with constipation. If you notice any blood marks in the stool consult a pediatrician immediately.
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