Constipation in babies is a common symptom, mainly referring to long intervals between bowel movements and dry and hard stools. There are many reasons that can cause constipation, mainly divided into functional constipation and constipation caused by congenital intestinal malformations. Most babies' constipation is functional. So, what should I do if my baby is constipated?
If a baby experiences constipation, it is necessary to improve their diet by providing them with more water and fiber rich foods such as vegetables and fruit puree. Older babies can also add some cereal foods to promote bowel movements. You can also do abdominal massage for the baby to accelerate gastrointestinal peristalsis and promote bowel movements. When neither dietary adjustments nor massage methods are effective, children can be given appropriate amounts of laxatives to help them defecate.
To avoid constipation in babies, it is recommended to breastfeed them. This not only ensures their nutrition but also reduces constipation. To ensure a balanced diet for babies, it is recommended to give them fruit puree, vegetable puree, or juice extracted from fruits and vegetables to promote digestion and facilitate bowel movements.
When babies are around three to four months old, mothers should induce them to defecate after meals and gradually develop a habit of regular bowel movements. In addition, foods containing too much protein and calcium should not be consumed excessively, as they can easily cause dry stools and difficulty in defecation. Persimmons are also a food that can cause constipation, so it is important to avoid consuming them when constipation has already occurred.
