Constipation in infants and children means they have hard stools or
have problems passing stools. A newborn babies may have pain while passing stools or may be unable to have a bowel movement after straining or
pushing. It’s such a panic situation for the infant.
Briefly explain constipation in newborns.
Constipation is a common health issue for infants. To cure constipation in newborn babies isn’t impossible; it has been observed in almost 6 babies
out of 10. This problem is mostly found in the winter season because the
movement of the baby is less shown due to heavy clothes. Normally,
newborns — especially breastfed ones — may have several bowel
movements a day or sometimes even go a few days without one, and still
be healthy.
Importance of quick and safe relief.
First confirm if it is constipation or something else, because sometimes babies
start controlling their pressure for the sake of not going to the toilet, or they have
some scar in their rectum, which is caused by passing hard poop (they bleed too
sometimes) .
Constipation can cause significant discomfort and distress for an infant. If not
relieved quickly and safely, it can lead to
1. Pain and Irritation: Hard stools can cause painful bowel movements, leading
to crying, straining, and even tiny tears around the anus (anal fissures).
2. Feeding Issues: The infant may feel unable to feed because of pain. leading
to poor weight gain and dehydration.
3. Disrupted Sleep: Uncomfortable while sleeping. which may affect the baby’s
growth and development.
4. Worsening Digestive Health: Prolonged constipation can cause problems
passing stool, making the problem worse over time.
5. Emotional Stress: Both the baby and parents can experience stress when
bowel movements are difficult or painful.
Try these few simple things and tips for quick relief from
constipation:
1. Mughli ghutti (seriously)
2. If your baby is above 6 months, try to give as much solid or fruit ., Reduce the
amount of milk slowly, or if they are above one year, limit the amount of milk
to 500 ml in the duration of 24 hours.
3. Seasonal fruits will help them to get soft stools
4. Most important, oil some ajwain, hshaunf, a pinch of kala namak , hing, and
baking soda in the last milk you give to your child at night….
5. Potty training. When he sits in a proper position , it will ultimately give him
some pressure to pass stool.
Quick and safe relief ensures:
● The baby remains comfortable, happy, and well-nourished.
● Digestive health stays on track, preventing more serious problems.
● Parents can avoid unnecessary worry or emergency visits to the doctor.
When to see a doctor:
Blood in the stool should always prompt a visit with your pediatrician. Outside of the
infant period, if stools are large or hard to pass, that’s also a good reason to call
your pediatrician — typically constipation is temporary. Some of the likes:
1. No bowel movements for several days.
2. Hard, dry, or pellet-like stools consistently.
3. Severe straining or obvious pain.
4. Bloody stools or bleeding from the anus.
5. Swollen, firm, or bloated belly.
6. Vomiting.
7. Poor feeding or refusal to eat.
8. Unusual lethargy or extreme fussiness.
What is a normal vs. constipated bowel
movement in newborns?
Normal Bowel Movements in Newborns:
Breastfed newborns usually have seedy, loose stool that looks like light
mustard. Yellow or tan. If you feed your newborn formula, your baby’s poop
might become yellow or tan with hints of green. It likely will be more firm than
that of breastfed babies. Some newborns poop five times a day; others only
poop every five days. If your newborn poops less frequently, but they are
eating regularly and their stool is soft and appears typical, then that’s normal
for your baby.
As long as the stool is soft and the baby seems comfortable, it’s usually not
constipation.
Signs of Constipated Bowel Movements in Newborns:
The symptoms of constipation in your baby can include pooing fewer than 3 times in
a week. finding it difficult to poo, and poos that are larger than usual. dry, hard,
lumpy, or pellet-like poos. .Along with trying diet changes, you can help a constipated
baby by gently massaging the baby’s tummy. You also can hold your baby’s knees to
the baby’s chest to mimic a squat position, then release. Another option is to gently
move the baby’s legs as if the baby were riding a bike.
Common causes of constipation in
newborns:
when they start taking first infant formula, which is harder to digest
than breast milk, or eating processed foods.
1. Ignoring the urge to use the toilet
2. Not eating enough fiber
3. Not drinking enough fluids
4. Switching to solid foods or from breast milk to formula (infants)
5. Changes in situation, such as travel, starting school, or stressful events
Gentle Tummy Massage: How and where to
massage.
For abdominal massage, move fingers gently in a clockwise direction along the
colon’s path. Glide your fingers from right to left according to the colon’s position on
the abdomen. Next, massage the child’s back by stroking along the spinal muscles in
a spiral motion and lightly patting the shoulder blades.
Where Exactly to Massage:
● Focus on the lower abdomen, just below the belly button.
● Always massage in gentle, clockwise motions.
● Avoid pressing hard — keep the pressure light and soothing.
Bicycle Leg Exercises: Step-by-Step
Guide.
Babies should be encouraged to be active throughout the day, every day, in a variety
of ways, including crawling. If they’re not yet crawling, encourage them to be
physically active by reaching and grasping, pulling and pushing, and moving their
head, body, and limbs during daily routines and during supervised floor play.
Massage Tips:
“Put your baby on his back and gently move his legs up and around as if he
were pedaling a bicycle,” says Dr. Chintapalli. Coo, smile, sing, or make
choo-choo or vroom noises while you make the motion. Repeat the movement
three to five times, take a break, and then repeat.
Warm Bath: How it helps relax muscles and
stimulate bowel movements.
A warm bath can be beneficial for constipation. The warmth of the water can
help relax the muscles in your abdomen and promote overall relaxation, which
may aid in relieving discomfort associated with constipation. Additionally, the
soothing effect of a warm bath can help reduce stress, which is sometimes a
contributing factor to digestive issues.
For best results, consider combining a warm bath with other remedies, such as:
1. Hydration: Drink plenty of water.
2. Diet: Increase fiber intake through fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
3. Physical Activity: Engage in light exercise, which can stimulate digestion.
If constipation persists, it’s advisable to consult a healthcare professional for further
evaluation and treatment.
Feeding Adjustments:
○ If breastfeeding: tips for mothers
(hydration, diet changes).
Drink lots of pure water & avoid caffeine. Some babies will react a little if you eat
real spicy foods. Obviously, cleaner, better food is far more nutritious than hot
dogs & potato chips. Lots of colorful veggies, fruits, almond butter or peanut
butter, rice, seeds, and whole grains like oats. Bread, cheese. You can definitely
eat more as a breastfeeding mom because you will burn at least 1500 calories
every day IF your baby is exclusively breastfed.
When I first got pregnant, I weighed 125 lbs. I gained 65 pounds by the end of the
pregnancy!! Holy cow!! But by the time my baby was 4 months old, I had lost all of
those massive 65 lbs.!! If you eat good food & drink lots of water, you will have
plenty of quality milk that targets brain growth! So your baby will be a genius too!!
Ok… That’s not actually a fact, but it sounds good, right?
○ If formula-feeding: checking formula
type.
Read the label and make sure you’re choosing the right formula for
your baby’s age. Look at the amount of protein the formula contains.
Too much protein can increase the risk of your baby becoming
overweight or obese later in life. Give your baby a few days to get used
to a new type of formula.
Hydration Tips: (for babies over 2-4
months if pediatrician recommends).
children under 1 year of age, use a spoon or syringe to give 1 to 2 teaspooFor
ns (5 to 10 mL) of an ORS, breast milk, or formula every 5 to 10 minutes. For
those older than 1 year of age, give ½ to 1 ounce (1 to 2 tablespoons or 15 to
30 mL) every 20 minutes for a few hours. Gradually work up to drinking more.
Natural Remedies (Doctor-Approved)
● Small amounts of fruit juice (like prune or apple juice)—age-appropriate
guidelines: For infants over 1 month old only on breast milk or formula, you
may add fruit juices, 1 ounce per month of age per day (e.g., 3 months old = 3
ounces a day). Limit the amount to 4 ounces per day. Pear and apple juice
are good choices. After 3 months, you can also use prune juice – no more
than 2 oz. in hrs.
Glycerin suppositories — only under pediatrician advice: When a child
is constipated, their stools (poo) are hard and painful to pass.
Sometimes a child may try to hold the stool in because of previous
pain when going to the toilet. Constipation can also make a child feel
quite poor.
○ Glycerin suppositories are used to stimulate emptying
of the bowels and provide rapid relief from constipation.
● Routine tummy time: Most babies can start tummy time sessions a day or
two after they are born. Babies benefit from having two or three short (3- to
5-minute) tummy time sessions each day. As your baby gets older, you can
have longer, more regular sessions throughout the day.
● Proper hydration: Babies under a year old get all the fluid they need through
breast milk or formula. If your baby is aged 6 months or older, you can give
them small amounts of boiled, cooled water. The recommended daily intake of
water for children is 1 to 3 years old: 4 cups.
● Choosing the right formula: As a rule of thumb, infants under 6 months
who haven’t yet started solids should be taking 2 to 2½ ounces of
formula per pound of body weight over a 24-hour period. In practice,
that may work out to somewhere between 18 and 32 ounces per day,
depending on your baby’s size and mood.
Conclusion
Constipation in newborns can be stressful for both babies and parents, but with the right
care and attention, it is usually a temporary and manageable issue. Recognizing the signs
early and using gentle, natural remedies like tummy massages, bicycle leg exercises, warm
baths, and proper feeding adjustments can bring quick relief and keep your little one
