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Baby constipation: causes and solutions?

Baby constipation: causes and solutions?

We are talking about a constipated baby when his stools are rare, but also when they are hard, dry (small goat droppings) and emitted with difficulty (even crying).

 constipated baby

Baby's stool

However, there is a difference between the stools of a breastfed baby and a non-breastfed baby: the former are rather liquid, straw yellow in color and sometimes lumpy. The baby will often have 4 to 6 bowel movements a day, at least initially. Infant formula-fed babies will have more consistent, darker, and fewer stools.

If the child has been breastfed for a long time, the stools may become scarce (until to once every two to three days) without this being of concern, because the capacity of assimilation of breast milk is great, which results in less waste. But it is very different for a baby who drinks infant formula. The latter must have a bowel movement almost every day because these milks are less well assimilated.

The bottom line is that baby, breastfed or not, eliminates comfortably and that his stool is not hard. < / span>

The causes of this constipation

In the vast majority of cases, constipation is said to be "functional", that is to say that it is not linked to any pathology and that 'there is no need to worry. The most common causes are:

- Food: a change in the diet (of the child or the nursing mother), a switch from the breast to the bottle or the start of diversification.
- Right after an episode of diarrhea, which is quite normal .
- Environmental: a change of situation, a trip, a moving, arriving at the nursery…
- Related to stress : just like in adults, a change in habits or a worry can cause temporary constipation.
- A lack of water supply: very low are needed, especially in summer.
- Difficulty in potty training, around 18 months: if the child is asked too early to do a potty training that he has not yet integrated, this can cause a kind of blockage.

Some tips to relieve your little tummy

If the non-breastfed baby spaces his stool regularly for up to 2 days, add 5 drops of camelina oil (first cold pressed) to his bottle, twice a day.

< span style = "font-weight: 400;"> When a breastfed baby suffers from constipation, it is the mother who must change her diet. That is, hydrate a lot (1.5 liters of quality water per day), add organic prune juice or prune compote, eat organic beets or drink beet juice.

She can also add raw linseed oil to her diet (1 to 2 tablespoons, or 15 to 30 ml) or eat ideally ground flax seeds every day (sprinkled on compote or again on the morning muesli). The mother must therefore deal with her own constipation problem.

The baby may also react to extra iron. Your best bet is to stop to see the difference in baby.

Babies fed iron-fortified formula often suffer from stomach ache and constipation. It is enough to return to a regular preparation which contains iron but in less quantity

When baby is being treated for gastric reflux or regurgitation problems, think that antacids have an effect of constipation: see then with the pediatrician

Avoid excess flour in the bottle which promotes constipation in your baby.

Gently massage baby's tummy clockwise several times per day. When changing, make him do the pedal boat movement with his legs to stimulate intestinal movement (peristalsis). You can also fold your legs over your abdomen to facilitate expulsion.

You can also give it a marshmallow tea which is emollient and softening (2 ounces (60 ml) in a bottle) or carrot or beet juice diluted half / half with flax seed mucilage (soak 1 to 2 tbsp (15 to 30 ml) of flax seeds in 1 cup (250 ml) of hot water for 20 minutes and filter).

Massage its little bottle clockwise.
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During episodes of constipation, fill every other bottle with Hepar water . Do not abuse it because this water is very loaded with minerals, especially magnesium, which could harm baby's small kidneys.

Occasionally, a small warm enema with chamomile tea in a rectal pear for baby is also effective in evacuating hardened stools. Oil the cannula with olive oil, penetrate the cannula about a centimeter into the anus and gently squeeze to empty the pear (1/4 cup of liquid is sufficient or 60 ml). There are also glycerin suppositories for babies that can be used occasionally so as not to create addiction. The “thermometer thing” supposed to trigger the craving should also be avoided!

It is recommended to limit“ intrusive ”or overly marked gestures in baby's genitals. In addition, the risk is that he associates the expulsion reflex with manual stimulation: eventually, he may be even more constipated! < br>
In a slightly older child, teach him to have a bowel movement (for example, after breakfast)

A hot water bottle placed on the liver during meals (for toddlers) or digestion will calm the pains and soothe baby. In the best case, we can see an effect on transit! (beware of the heat and the tightness of the hot water bottle !!! and do not leave it unattended).

In terms of food

Increase the daily amount of water and eliminate sugary drinks

Favor foods rich in fiber (green vegetables, fruits, compotes and juices of prunes) and dairy products

Reduce starchy foods (rice, pasta ...), carrots, apples, bananas, chocolate

In babies who eat solid, In addition to the previous advice, offer diluted prune juice or organic applesauce-prunes soaked (to prevent cramps), crushed fresh pears are also very effective as is pear juice in some children. Organic beetroot juice diluted with water also has a laxative effect for its richness in magnesium or even add slippery elm powder in its purees or organic oat brand logic. You can also integrate linseed oil in purees, at 6 months your baby can take ½ tsp. (2.5 ml) and at one year 1 tsp. (5 ml)

It is therefore common to find constipation in infants who begin to eat because the first foods usually offered are constipating. These are carrot puree, rice cereal, bananas, among others. Avoid serving all these foods on the same day, and consider including butternut squash which is very gentle on the intestine as well as pears. < br>
Don't panic!

Digestive disorders are particularly common in children (as in adults), parents should not worry too much. Especially since many adults focus on their own transit and risk stressing their babies by monitoring their transit too closely…

We must therefore play down this episode and only call the doctor when:

- There is associated vomiting, a sign of possible intestinal obstruction.
- Baby no longer eats and loses weight.
- Baby twists in pain when touching his stomach.
- He no longer has the same reflexes and no longer responds to stimulation as usual.

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