Constipation in infants with mixed feeding

In the first weeks of life, the newborn's digestive system adapts to the adoption of a new diet. During this initial period constipation in a newborn mixed feeding is normal. With mixed feeding, this problem occurs much more often than with breastfeeding. Constipation and abdominal pain appear.

You need to carefully look at the baby and correctly identify the cause of the anxiety. There are many reasons for constipation in infants, and in this article we will consider the more likely ones, as well as methods of treatment and prevention.

Features of constipation in infants

It is considered normal if the child empties the intestines 1 to 8 times a day. It is worth sounding the alarm if he cannot do it for more than a day. Constipation gives the baby great discomfort, and attentive parents will notice that the baby is straining the muscles of the face, while blushing, crying and pushing.

Many mothers face such a problem in the first year of a newborn's life. The baby's stool becomes dry and hard, or he cannot relieve himself at all. It is necessary to call a pediatrician. The specialist will examine the baby and tell you how to act correctly.

Application of mixed feeding

For mixed feeding of babies under the age of 1 year, a combination of breast milk in various proportions with artificial mixtures is used.

Reasons for using mixed food

They switch to mixed feeding when:

• the nursing mother is sick and has to take medications;
• only a small amount of breast milk appears;
• you need to feed two or three babies at once;
• mom is absent for a long time.

Basic rules for mixed meals

When switching to a mixed diet, remember that the child needs nutrients, vitamins and minerals for growth and development. The growing body needs them no less than the prescribed daily norm. Compliance with the following rules will help you avoid making mistakes:

• If possible, breastfeeding should not be ruled out sharply. To begin with, replace a small portion of it with mixtures.
• You need to feed with a spoon, without using a bottle. In this case, it will be more difficult for the baby to refuse food.
• When using breast milk, follow a diet.
• Use fresh formula for feeding.
• Use clean dishes.
• It is better to heat the mixture in a water bath, without using a microwave oven.

Mix use

Mixed feeding is carried out after consultation with a pediatrician. The use of the mixture should not harm health, find out if the baby has an allergy.

Mix selection

When choosing a formula for feeding, you need to pay attention to its composition. How the baby is assimilated depends on his health. The main criteria for selection:

1. Depending on the age, the baby's adaptation to the mixture changes. It is necessary to choose a mixture with an adaptation corresponding to the age.
2. The individuality of the baby's digestive system. What is good for one child causes constipation and abdominal discomfort in another.
3. Digestibility of lactose.
4. Child health.

Correct preparation of the mixture

To prevent constipation in infants, you should correctly calculate the volume of milk and formula:

• up to 30 days of age, give the baby no more than 50 ml of artificial mixture;
• up to 2 months - no more than 120 ml;
• up to 6 months - no more than 180 ml;
• over six months of age - up to 230 ml.

After 6 months of age, the child's diet should include meat and vegetable purees, as well as juices and cereals. Gradually replace the mixture with such a diet.

Constipation

Difficulty with digestion in babies occurs due to the unstable work of the digestive system in the first days of a baby's life. When breastfeeding, there is rarely a delay in bowel movement, because the body is prepared for natural nutrition from the very beginning.

Constipation symptoms

Constipation is delayed, difficult, or systematic inadequate bowel movements (bowel movements). Constipation in a newborn with mixed feeding, it is accompanied by symptoms that you should pay attention to:

• The newborn often cries, is naughty, and behaves anxiously.
• He constantly touches his legs, pulling up to the tummy.
• Trying to empty the bowels, the child tenses and blushes.
• Reacts restlessly to touching the stomach, may cry.
• Bloating is noticeable, gas is difficult to escape.
• Feeding does not bring comfort; on the contrary, it can be annoying.
• A light and short sleep. Difficulty falling asleep and waking up quickly, constantly tossing and turning and pushing.

The simultaneous presence of several signs is a reason to see a doctor. The pediatrician will examine the baby and, if necessary, prescribe treatment.

Causes of constipation

The main causes of constipation in infants:

• A sharp transition to a different type of food. This can happen when you stop breastfeeding and switch to formula, or when you change from one type of mixed feeding to another.
• Overeating can be a cause, as can malnutrition.
• Low fluid intake. Due to the lack of water, feces become dry and hard, making it difficult to move through the intestines.
• An insufficiently active lifestyle of a baby can cause muscle weakening.
• Incorrectly selected mixed food. The body can react negatively to a particular feed due to the presence of cow protein.
• The mother's diet also affects the infant's stool if breast milk makes up a significant portion of the mixed diet. Bread, nuts, rice, fatty meat should be excluded from the mother's diet.
• Violation of the normal heat exchange of the body, in the event that the child is too wrapped up and forced to sweat.
• Child's illness. A cold or infection can cause constipation, dysbiosis.

Types of constipation

There are 3 types of constipation:

• Functional is the most common type. The reason is improperly selected food, and has nothing to do with the work of the baby's digestive system.
• Atonic constipation. Here, the cause is a weak bowel condition. This type of baby is more difficult to cure. Stool comes out with difficulty, often with pain and discomfort. In such cases, the pediatrician prescribes massage and measures to tone the intestines.
• Spastic. The feces are small and round, in the form of small balls. The baby is very hard to defecate with pain. Concomitant signs are bloating, intestinal spasm occurs.

Dangerous effects of constipation

With frequent and prolonged constipation, there is a risk of dangerous consequences:

• The accumulation can cause the appearance of "fecal deposits", there is a possibility of cracks in the rectum and subsequent bleeding from them.
• Constant pushing can cause hemorrhoids to appear.
• The problem of uncontrolled bowel movements.

Treatments for constipation

Before starting treatment, you need to consult with a specialist.

1. First of all, you need to help the baby with a massage. Putting it on the back, stroke the tummy with smooth circular movements. Stroking should be light without pressing. Such simple movements can significantly alleviate the suffering of the baby.
2. Exercises with legs. Put the baby on your back, and, holding both legs together, gently bend them at the knees. The bent legs need to be lifted slowly up, and touch the abdomen with your knees. Then gently lower the legs down. Let your baby rest and then repeat the exercise.
3. To improve bowel function, the baby should be on the tummy more often.
4. Use a cotton swab smeared with petroleum jelly or vegetable oil to stimulate the child's anus. You need to stick the stick into the anus and twist, lubricating the walls.
5. You can soften the stool inside with an enema with water. Use only boiled water at room temperature. The amount of water in the enema for a three-month-old baby is 50 ml; over 3 months - 100 ml.

The listed measures in 90% of cases should be off. It may happen that they will not be enough, in such cases the attending physician prescribes drug treatment. For example, laxatives or rectal suppositories.

Prevention of constipation in newborns

When switching to a mixed diet, it is imperative to think about preventive measures against constipation. Compliance with the measures will help prevent the occurrence of constipation and in the development of a growing child's body.

Prevention is as follows:

• Choosing the right formula will prevent bowel problems. The presence of lactulose in the mixture helps the absorption and digestion of food.
• Caring for the nutrition of the nursing mother. It is necessary to exclude from the diet those foods that cause constipation in a child.
• Give the child more water, the growing body should not experience a deficiency of it.
• More often lay the baby on his tummy, as well as massage around him in a clockwise direction.

The attention and care of a loving mother nearby will protect the baby from trouble. Look after the condition of the baby, especially in the first month of life. If you have any health problems, see your doctor.