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Like in adults, children can also suffer from irregular or painful bowel movements. Essentially, it is safe to say that your baby is suffering from constipation if you notice hard and pebble-like stools, a firm or distended stomach, crying, and distress when they try to pass motion, or stool that is hard and contains traces of blood. Although constipation is a common occurrence in infants, it does not make it easier for your baby (1).
As with all problems, the best way to deal with constipation is by figuring out the causal factor of constipation in your baby. We’re about to tell you what causes constipation in infants and when you should be worried, so read on:
What Causes Constipation In Infants?
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It is worth noting that constipation is a rare occurrence in newborns below six months. The diet of a newborn who is six months and below consists only of baby formula or breastmilk. Most mothers slowly begin to incorporate other foods and solids into their baby’s diet after they have turned six months old. It is after this that you will observe constipation in infants. Several factors may contribute to constipation in infants, some of which are listed below:
1. Giving Them Too Much Solids
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It is important to remember that you can’t solely give them solid foods after your baby has turned six months. Instead, you must incorporate solids into their diet very slowly. Their primary source of nutrition and food is still baby formula or breastmilk — limit their intake of solids to one meal a day, or accompany it with breastmilk or baby formula (2).
2. Not Giving Them Sufficient Fluids
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Always accompany their solid intake with sufficient fluids such as water, breast milk, or juice. Babies do not need water intake before six months of age, but soon after they have turned six months old, you can introduce them to small amounts of water daily. You can also give them fresh juice or tender coconut water (3).
3. Stress
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As adults, stress is something we all have to deal with. The idea of a baby being stressed may come as a surprise to you, but it is a real thing. Heat, excess noise, travel, relocation, or even cold weather can be highly stressful for babies. All these may impact their bowel movements, leading to constipation (4).
4. Cow’s Milk
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Some mothers introduce cow’s milk into their baby’s diet. It could be that your child’s body is not tolerant to the protein found in cow’s milk. In turn, this can lead to constipation. If you notice that your child is in distress after consuming cow’s milk, it is best to avoid incorporating this into their diet (5).
5. Previous Trauma Associated With Bowel Movements
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If your child has had constipation before, the chances are that they experienced a lot of pain and discomfort, particularly when trying to initiate a bowel movement. The chances are that your child has associated bowel movements with pain due to this. So, they refuse to poop or even try to do so (6).
6. Introduction Of Rice
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In many countries, rice is a staple and essential part of one’s diet. Babies too are introduced to rice soon after they have turned six months old — of course, the rice is cooked well, mashed, and mixed with curd or milk. While this does not cause harm, rice has a binding effect. It can absorb water that is present in your baby’s gut, and this, in turn, can make it hard for your little one to pass stools. If such is the case, it is best to switch to oatmeal or barley as these have a less-binding effect on the body (7).
7. Underlying Medical Conditions
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In some cases, constipation in infants could be a sign of an underlying medical condition. Some constipation-associated medical conditions include cystic fibrosis, Hirschsprung’s disease, hypothyroidism, cerebral palsy, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Down syndrome, or spina bifida. Sometimes, constipation could also be a side effect of certain medications (8).
Poop Troubles In Babies: When You Should Be Worried
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In most cases, constipation in babies is not a cause for concern. It can be painful and cause your baby to be in distress, but your baby should be fine in a day or two with the proper medical intervention. However, watch out for the following signs. If accompanied by constipation, these signs could warn you of a more serious condition (9):
- Fever
- A loss of appetite, refusing to eat or drink anything
- Sudden weight loss or poor weight gain
- Bleeding in the rectal area or traces of blood in the stools
- Distention or firmness in the abdominal area and stomach
- Vomiting
Increasing your baby’s fluid intake, avoiding high-fiber foods, and maintaining a simple diet best suited for infants can help prevent constipation. In the event that your baby is constipated, the doctor may prescribe a glycerin-based rectal suppository that may surely bring relief (10). How did you help your baby when they were suffering from constipation? Share your experience with us in the comments below!
