What to do with constipation in a baby?

Constipation in infants is one of the most common abnormalities in early development, which in no way can be underestimated.

Insufficient attention of parents to this problem or self-treatment without a pediatrician's consultation can lead to further complications.

For these reasons it is important to distinguish the first signs of such deviations and to have a clear idea of ​​what to do in such cases.

It is required to pay special attention to the state of digestion of an infant, if it is on artificial feeding.

Signs and symptoms of constipation

For newborn babies the most natural high-grade product is the mother's milk, so children are breastfed usually develop harmoniously and are rarely concerned about the problems with digestion.

Disorders can develop only due to pathological abnormalities. In the transition to non-adapted or artificial mixtures natural goat or cow's milk, as well as mixed feeding, grudnichok to six months may be delayed defecation.

Such deviations may not always mean constipation. Therefore, it is important to distinguish its main features.

The definition of constipation is rather blurry, because it is related to the age-specific features of a particular developing organism.

From the medical point of view, the absence of bowel movements within 24 hours or the difficulty of emptying the intestines of a child under the age of one year is considered constipation.

Feeding also significantly determines the norm. For example, baby bottle-fed normally have 2-3 bowel movements a whole day, and breastfeeding - bowel movements often occurs after each feeding.

The functioning of the intestine also has its dynamics, therefore, for an accurate differentiation of the state of constipation and the physiological characteristics of the development of the body, it is better to turn to specialists.

It is important to learn how to monitor the health of your baby during defecation and before a bowel movement, to analyze the consistency of the stool, the number of bowel movements.

The feces of the baby and the baby on artificial feeding differ in density and odor. In the second case it is more dense and smells specifically.

Symptoms typical for constipation are as follows:

• attempts to evacuate the intestines are accompanied by severe anxiety and cries;
• marked incomplete bowel emptying;
• bloating and uncaused crying;
• regular stool retention;
• refusal to eat and vomit;
• crying and moody behavior;
• feces in the infants have a solid consistency at first, and then represents a mass in the form of gruel;
• the child does not sleep well and instinctively pulls the knees to the chest;
• the baby does not have any gases. When

individual manifestations of such features can not be sure of the accuracy of the diagnosis, but in the presence of the complex of symptoms can be sure of this deviation and consult a pediatrician, what to do in such a case.

In close cooperation with a physician, you can determine the likelihood of allergic reactions to medications taken, new products, diagnose digestive abnormalities, and think over the ration of the nursing mother to activate motility of the smooth muscles of the intestine.

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reasons for delays

defecation When this problem to determine the correct therapeutic strategy is necessary to understand its causes.

They can be versatile, and by eliminating them you can easily get rid of constipation in the early stages.

These reasons may have different origins:

• the use of various medications by a nursing mother or infant without coordination with a pediatrician can cause such conditions;
• with a deficit of breast milk from a wet nurse can manifest "hungry constipation" when all incoming food is absorbed by the walls of blood vessels, internal organs, blood and does not reach the intestine;
• constipation can occur against a background of high body temperatures with various infections, resulting in a compaction of stool;
• An actual problem for a baby may be a lack of water. This is often caused by dry hot air with artificial feeding. Another reason is the malnutrition of the nursing mother and the artificial child. The most optimal diet can be agreed with experienced doctors in each case;
• with a sudden or abnormal transition to other types of food, there are certain delays in defecation that disappear after the adaptation process;
• in stressful unusual situations, the baby's organism can exhibit such reactions. On the other hand, the cause of constipation may be painful sensations in defecation, as well as the subconscious desire of the baby to achieve benefits for himself by manipulating adults;
• early or abnormal introduction of lures may cause difficulties in the feces of the child, which are eliminated when normal operation of the gastrointestinal tract;
• genetic predisposition: food allergy, anatomical defects of the gastrointestinal tract, nervous system diseases, congenital liver disease, disturbances of the spinal cord, hypothyroidism, rickets, myasthenia gravis, diabetes, lactase deficiency;
• , some diseases lead to delays in defecation, identify such problems, decide on how to help the baby in such cases can only a qualified doctor.

Treatment of constipation in babies

With the constipation in a child, regardless of the method of feeding is necessary to identify its causes and identify ways to address these problems.

For this it is recommended to adhere to the following algorithm:

• in the first place you need to consult a doctor;
• a nursing mother should more often apply the baby to the breast;
• if the newborn is bottle-fed, it is recommended between meals dopaivat his special little water in amounts equal portions of food;
• children after six months should be added to the diet of apples and vegetables;
• soups are recommended to include after a year of life of the baby.

The universal recommendation for delays in defecating small children is to correct nutrition and increase fluid intake.

Often, experts advise cooking mashed potatoes from natural ingredients and less use ready-made lures in the diet of breastfed on mixed feeding.

How to help an infant with constipation, it is necessary to decide in each case. The main thing is not to harm the baby's health.

Because enemas and laxatives can flush out the bowel microflora, vitamins and minerals, it is recommended to use them only in extreme cases.

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A good remedy for effective therapeutic procedures is a tummy massage, glycerin suppositories and mechanical stimulation of the intestine.

The main task of the massage is to relax the abdominal muscles, activate peristalsis and improve the tone of the intestine.

Massage movements must be done clockwise, use a warm towel or diaper.

Warm baths and the mother's body also help to improve the comfort of the baby.

Candles for newborns effectively soften fecal masses, provoke bowel evacuation reactions.

When using them, you must act very carefully and without fuss.

It is not recommended to use folk remedies in the form of soap instead of candles of a special composition. If the candles do not give the desired result, it is better to consult a doctor.

With the help of a cotton swab and baby cream, you can gently irritate the anus, stimulating the emptying of the intestine.

In this way, you need to act extremely carefully, avoiding possible damage to the tender mucous membrane and tissues.

Enema, laxatives and other medicines can be useful only in extreme cases. It is important to make sure of the accuracy of the diagnosis before applying any therapeutic effect.

At the slightest doubt it is better to consult with experienced specialists.