Constipation is the condition during which defecation becomes challenging and painful. It could occur in infants as well for various reasons. Generally newborns have 4-5 bowel movements on a daily basis. Breast-fed infants may have more bowel movements than formula-fed toddlers, plus they hardly ever develop constipation. Constipation arises when there is a violation of typical bowel function. Normal bowel function in toddlers could vary on a number of grounds. As age increases and complementary food is introduced, toddlers tend to develop lesser bowel movements. Bowel movements occurring twice per day in a 6 months old baby can be quite normal, and any rate less as compared to that will be referred to as constipation.
When baby has unpleasant defecation and when the consistency of the poop is hard the condition can be considered as baby constipation. One of the very obvious indicators of baby constipation is a crying baby characterized by tummy discomfort. In a baby with constipation, defecation could possibly occur on a daily basis but the feces will be thick and in small fragments. It could be caused by a dysfunctional large intestine or an abnormal colon. Generally it is due to pinching of feces in the lower intestine as a result of 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 an important role. Ordinarily organic constipation begins at birth due to the lack of independent defecation. Various other causes for organic constipation are an enlarged colon with a narrowing lower region as in Hirschsprung’s disease and Dolichosigmoid.
Functional constipation may perhaps be resulting from a number 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.
Signs and symptoms of constipation in toddlers
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 possibly have a hard abdomen, the discomfort of which makes the baby cry.
Usually baby constipation is cured with natural home remedies and a change in the diet itself. Prune juice diluted with water given to toddlers much more as compared to 6 months old is shown to have good final 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 toddlers less as compared to 6 months old can be treated following consulting a pediatrician. If the baby is formula fed talk to your doctor about changing the formula. Together with constipation you may possibly also notice the newborn urinating very much less. Give the newborn baby lots of water to drink. A warm compress will give alleviation to pain associated with constipation. If you notice any blood marks in the stool seek advice from a pediatrician immediately.