What do I do if my baby is constipated?

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There are some basic changes you can do to relieve the symptoms of constipation in your baby

Constipation is an alteration of the intestine that consists of excessive retention of water in the large intestine and the consequent hardening of the stool, which makes it very difficult to expel, reports Bekia Padres.

Leer en español: ¿Qué hago si mi bebé está estreñido?

According to the Spanish Society of Gastroenterology and Hepatology and Pediatric Nutrition, baby’s constipation is a problem that significantly concerns parents: it is the cause of 5% of pediatric consultations and up to 25% of visits to the specialist in pediatric gastroenterology.

It is important to know that, according to the Spanish Association of Pediatrics, an infant that is fed with formula milk needs to evacuate two times a day to be considered normal.

What are the possible causes of constipation?

1. Sometimes, when trying to incorporate solid foods into the baby's diet, cereals are used, which is low in fiber, can cause the baby to stiffen, according to Bekia Padres.

2. When the baby is not receiving enough fluid, and the hydration is not correct, the body absorbs the liquid from the excrement causing them to become hard and constipation occurs.

3. Sometimes, when the mother decides to give her baby formula milk instead of breast milk, it may not relieve the baby's needs and cause an unwanted effect, including constipation.

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What I can do?

The Consumer newspaper has some solutions for those mothers whose babies have constipation:

1. Performing smooth movements on the child's abdomen will make him feel better and it will be easier to defecate.

2. Drink liquids between meals to soften the poop or orange juice after four months.

3. Motivate your baby to move as much as possible. In the case of crawling or walking, stimulate him with something that he likes so that he moves within his possibilities.

On the other hand, for those babies who have not yet learned to move by themselves, it is recommended that an adult helps them with effective movements, such as grabbing their legs and bending them at the knees several times.

4. Maintain breastfeeding for at least six months exclusively, says the World Health Organization, and continue with it until two years.

5. Foods rich in fiber for the small and reduce the consumption of astringent foods, such as apples, bananas, rice or potatoes, notes the Spanish Association of Pediatrics.

Call your doctor if the baby is in the following cases
• He is not eating.
• Lose weight.
• Stool comes out with blood, and the basic treatments, like changing his diet, do no improve his constipation.

LatinAmerican Post | Luisa Fernanda Báez

Translated from: '¿Qué hago si mi bebé está estreñido?'