What do you know about newborn constipation? It refers to conditions where a newborn has difficulty passing stool or infrequent bowel movements. Newborn constipation can cause discomfort and distress to the babies. Usually, constipation in newborns is a normal situation. Why? The infant baby’s digestive system is still developing. So, they can’t digest the intake of solid foods properly. What symptoms can be seen in newborn constipation? They are frequency, consistency of poop, blood in stool, discomfort and irritability, strain, and more.
How can you prevent newborn constipation? After introducing solid food to newborns, they face some problems while digesting them. Hence, parents can breastfeed, maintain a regular feeding schedule, or introduce solid food slowly. As well as you can manage newborn constipation by using home remedies and following some tips. However, if your baby shows some serious conditions such as vomiting, refusing food, fever, signs of distress, bloody stool, or any other condition, immediately visit the doctor. Now let’s see more details about newborn constipation. Let’s go;
What is newborn constipation?
Newborn constipation is defined as “painful and difficult-to-pass bowel movements”. Likewise, the poop of constipated newborns is differ from normal babies. The poop may be small, hard balls, or pebbles-like. As well as your newborn baby may not poop as often as usual. What is the reason for newborn constipation? The digestive system of newborns is not well developed. Therefore, the changes in their bowel movements are normal. As well as babies are still figuring out how to use their muscles.
How can you identify constipation in the newborn?
The constipated newborns show some unique symptoms. What are they? Here we provide some common symptoms of constipated newborns.
Consistency
If your baby is healthy, you can see the mushy and soft poop. However, poop is like dry hard balls or pebbles that are a symptom of newborn constipation.
Frequency
The frequency of a baby’s poop doesn’t always signal constipation. Why? Newborn babies have multiple bowel movements. However, the baby is pooping less than normal and poops are harder, it may be newborn constipation.
Brestfeed milk is easily digested. Hence, breastfeeding babies may go up to a week without pooping. It is a normal condition. However, babies who formula-feed poop more frequently.
Straining
If babies strain or appear to be in pain when pooping, it is a sign of newborn constipation. Infants frequently strain a bit during bowel movements. If your baby stares excessively and is uncomfortable, that is a feature of constipation.
Discomfort and irritability
Many constipated infants show symptoms like discomfort like crying, fussiness, and a bloated abdomen.
Blood in stool
If you can see the streaks of blood in hard stools that means the baby is constipated.
What causes newborn constipation?
Newborn constipation is rare. Because newborns don’t get solid foods. However, certain factors cause constipation in newborns. They are,
Dietary factors
After introducing solid foods to the baby you can see the constipation. Likewise, the transition from breast milk to formula also causes newborn constipation. Breast milk is easier to digest than formulated foods. Hence, infants are learning how to digest the new proteins.
Dehydration
Dehydration is one of the primary reasons for constipation in newborn infants. Insufficient fluid intake (drinking less milk), and incorrect formula preparation lead to harder stool.
Prematurity
If the baby was born early before the proper time, they may have a risk of experiencing constipation. What is the reason behind that? Preterm infants have decreased muscle tone compared to full term babies. It may be difficult for the baby to stool effectively.
Medical conditions
Medical conditions like Hirschsprung’s disease or Hypothyroidism can cause newborn constipation. However, it is rare.
What are the treatments and home remedies?
Do you want to manage newborn constipation? You can follow some treatments from home. Try them.
Diet adjustment
Parents need to try different brands if the infant is on formula. You can enhance the intake of high-fiber foods such as pureed prunes or pears for babies who take solid foods.
Hydration
Confirm the infant is hydrated. You can provide small amounts of water between feeds for formula bed babies.
Warm bath
To relax your baby’s body and muscles prepare a warm bath that makes it easier to poop. To avoid newborn constipation you can add a warm bath for the bedtime routine of babies.
Leg exercises
To relieve pressure and ease constipation move the baby’s legs in a bicycle motion.
Gentle stomach massage
Gently massage the infant’s stomach to relax the muscles that are wanted to push out poop (stimulate bowel movements). Massage around your newborn’s stomach in a clockwise direction to manage constipation.
How do you prevent newborn constipation?
Here are some tips to avoid newborn constipation. Try them to manage the constipation of newborns. They are,
Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding infants have less experience of constipation.
Slow introduction of solid foods
To adjust the baby’s digestive system, introduce new foods gradually.Regular feeding schedule
Maintain a regular feeding schedule to prevent newborn constipation.
When to seek medical help?
If you can see these signs, you must visit a doctor. Symptoms include;
- Bloody stools
- Vomiting
- Severe pain (fever)
- Refusing to eat
- Failure to thrive – If your baby is not growing as expected ( if the baby isn’t gaining weight) show the infant to a doctor.
- Signs of distress
Conclusion
The newborn constipation is just a normal condition. Because the newborns are still developing their digestive system. If you can see the baby’s poop like small dry hard balls or pebbles that is the sign of constipation. However, you can manage that situation by following some tips. You can continue breastfeeding, introduce solid foods slowly, maintain a regular feeding schedule, and more.
You can prevent newborn constipation using proper dietary adjustments, massaging the baby’s stomach, bathing infants with warm water, hydrating babies well, and more. However, if your newborn continues to show symptoms, take him to the doctor immediately. Here we have provided more details about newborn constipation. You can refer to medical research papers or make an appointment with your doctor for more information.
