Emma Miller
Every mother wants her child to be healthy and happy. But with young children, the difficulty lies in the fact that they cannot say what is bothering them or what hurts. In addition, babies do not know how to do many things yet, which can cause serious problems.
Often new mothers face delicate moments when their beloved child cannot go to the toilet. Sometimes constipation in newborns can last for several days or even a week. If the child is not disturbed and feels well, there is no reason to worry. However, if the baby is constipated and suffers from it, then you need to take action.
We have figured out how to help the child in such moments and what to do to prevent this from happening in the future.
What is the norm of stool?
As we have already said, a newborn baby may not go to the toilet for several days and this is considered normal if nothing bothers him or her. However, doctors still say that for a baby under 4 months of age, it is normal to defecate up to 7 times a day. In this case, the feces should be mushy and have a yellowish or mustard color.
If the child goes to the toilet more than once a day or the stool has a greenish or reddish tint, you should immediately consult a pediatrician. It is considered normal if the child has not defecated for up to 3 days.
It is worth noting that the cause of constipation in most cases is the immaturity of the gastrointestinal tract, in other words, the child has not yet learned to poop.
What to do if a child is constipated
Experienced mothers can easily recognize that their baby is constipated. In this case, children may cry, tuck their legs under them, and in some cases, this can even cause the child to twitch if hard feces cause serious discomfort.
In this case, you can start by gently massaging the tummy – you can try massaging the intestinal area in a circular motion. A position in which the baby’s legs are bent and slightly pressed against the tummy can also help.
The problem may also be in the hypertonicity of the infant’s sphincter, which prevents feces from coming out through the anus.
To help the baby right away, you can use glycerin suppositories, they are considered the safest. However, they should not be used constantly, as this can be harmful. Such candles should be used only in emergencies when the child is not feeling well and cannot go to the toilet on their own.
Pediatricians may also recommend the use of micronemes, which contain a liquid that can help a child go to the toilet, or gas tubes.
Important! In any case, you should not self-medicate, you need to consult a pediatrician who will be able to choose the best option for your child. Also, the doctor can see the nuances that are the problem of constipation in the baby
