Health Savvy » Baby Health

Baby Constipation Is not Something They Complain About

Jennifer — Sat, 08 Sep 2007 16:34:18 +0000

One frustration that new mothers feel is the inability of a baby to complain about their aches and pains. Later in life, a mother may wish that her children could not complain about their aches and pains, but when they are babies this can cause confusion. When a baby cries, one can assume that they are uncomfortable or unhappy. Baby constipation might be one of the reasons for a crying baby, but this is not readily known. Baby constipation is hard to determine because babies do not always work on a schedule, and their bowel movements can be highly erratic.

Babies are like adults in that their bowel movements are related to what they eat and how much they move. Parents should know that there are some signs of baby constipation that will reduce the guessing game when the baby cries. Baby constipation may be a problem if the baby goes more than a couple of days without a bowel movement. The consistency of the stool from the baby maybe a sign of baby constipation. Sometimes a liquid stool in a baby’s diaper could be a sign of baby constipation. Parents should look for these signs as information that the baby cannot provide.

Baby Constipation Occurs for Different Reasons

Breastfeeding is one way to avoid baby constipation for this usually eliminates this problem. The breast milk has the perfect balance for a baby’s system. The baby formula could be a reason for baby constipation. A baby that is constipated because of a certain type of formula should be put on a different formula. A doctor will be able to recommend a different brand to eliminate the problem. Baby constipation sometimes occurs when the baby starts to eat solid food. Some of the baby foods that are used for the first solid foods do not have sufficient fiber.

Baby constipation may occur because the baby is dehydrated so the baby should be given more fluids. The baby might become constipated due to an underlying medical condition. The baby should be checked carefully by a doctor if the constipation seems to continue for a couple of days. Movement can help to eliminate constipation in a young baby. Crawlers should be encouraged to crawl more. Systematic massage of the belly of the baby can eliminate the problem. A mother should get directions for this massage from baby books.

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Infant Constipation Is Related to Adult Constipation

Jennifer — Thu, 06 Sep 2007 19:41:28 +0000

Infant constipation stems from the diet and exercise like the same condition in adults. Infant constipation usually comes because of the diet of the baby or the fact that they are not moving around enough. Infant constipation almost never occurs when the infant is breastfed because mother’s milk is the perfect combination of nutrients. The baby cannot explain why he or she feels uncomfortable and will cry to show that something is not right. This could be for different reasons, but the crying accompanied by straining motions from a baby will indicate constipation.

Believe it or not just holding the baby upright might help because the forces of gravity will help the baby get rid of the contents of their gastrointestinal system. The baby might be held up in a squat position as well to help the baby eliminate these wastes from their system. The baby on formula could have infant constipation because of the formula that the doctor has prescribed. The doctor should be able to recommend a different type of formula to eliminate infant constipation. If the infant constipation disappears, the mother and baby can rest at ease. If the constipation continues, another trip to the doctor will be in order.

Infant Constipation Could Signal a More Serious Condition

Infant constipation could be a sign of a more serious disease or condition. Even if the infant constipation goes away quickly, a doctor visit might be recommended. There is a chance that the child is constipated because of an unknown condition. The doctor should be able to offer some information on this condition. Infant constipation can be eliminated through careful exercise. That may seem a strange idea, but a parent can just manipulate the legs of the baby as if he or she were on a bicycle. This might help the baby pass the unwanted contents of the intestines.

Infant constipation could be due to dehydration so parents would be wise to give a dehydrated baby plenty of fluids whenever possible. Apple and grape juice can be given to the baby who is constipated. These juices will help get the system back on track. Constipation is rarely a life threatening condition, and parents should be able to overcome this problem with the guidance of a doctor. Parents should consider the problem of constipation as uncomfortable and annoying, but not very dangerous. Parents will want to carefully monitor their new infant for signs of constipation.

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How to treat your Newborn’s Constipation

Jennifer — Wed, 08 Aug 2007 19:45:32 +0000

When you become a new parent, there are so many things to worry about when it comes to that precious bundle that has been placed in your arms. From the right diapers to the right method of feeding; every issue seems to come with more questions than answers. The same holds true with newborn constipation. How do you know if your infant is suffering from this problem? Perhaps he is having frequent bouts of crying and infrequent dirty diapers. Is this newborn constipation? The answer is, maybe. That may not be helpful, but the good news is that there are some other signs that you can look for to determine if your baby does indeed have constipation issues. The other good news is that if you decide that he is suffering with painful tummy aches from this problem, there are things that you can do to help him find relief.

Is your Newborn Constipated?

The first step in treating newborn constipation is to determine if your baby even has a problem in the first place. It is not at all unusual for infants to pass stools infrequently. In fact, some babies, especially those that are breastfed, might only have one or two soiled diapers a week. As long as your baby is passing stools that are loose and watery, you do not have to worry about constipation in your newborn, no matter how infrequent those stools are. It is also not unusual for infants to grunt and act like they are straining when they pass stools. Again, if the stool is loose there is no cause for alarm. Newborn constipation does not occur until your little one begins to pass hard, dense stools that seem to cause him pain. At this point, you can begin to look at your options in treating newborn constipation.

Since you will be spending a significant amount of time at the doctor’s office during the first few months of your baby’s life, it will probably be convenient to ask your doctor about your newborn’s constipation trouble. Your doctor can suggest changes to your baby’s diet that will most likely bring relief from the tummy trouble. Most breastfed infants will not have issues with constipation because breast milk is very easy for an infant to digest. If you baby is having some trouble, your doctor might suggest some changes that you can make in your own diet to make things more comfortable for your little one.

If your baby is on formula, you have the option of trying a different product that is easier for your infant to digest. For many babies this might mean switching to a soy formula until the digestive system has matured. You can also offer your baby diluted fruit juices. The best choices to relieve newborn constipation are apple and prune juices. Finally, if your baby is over four months of age, you can offer some high fiber foods like cereals or strained apricots or prunes. Chances are very good that with a few diet changes, you can get your newborn’s constipation under control and bring him greater comfort and you peace of mind.

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