Constipation
When your baby finds it difficult to have a poo:
Often caused by diet and easy to treat from home
very common in childhood, affecting about 1 in 3 c children
There is no 'normal' when it comes to how often babes poo
Breastfed. babies can go several days or even a week without having a poo
Constipation symptoms:
Pooing fewer than 3 times in a week - although for some breast fed babies it is normal for up to 5 days without a poo
Finding it difficult to poo and poos are larger
Straining or discomfort when they poo
Dry, hard, lumpy, pellet like poos, 'rabbit droppings'
May notice bleeding during or after having a poo
Unusually smelly wind and poo
Poor appetite or stomach pain that improves after having a poo
What can cause constipation:
Change in diet, different or too much formula, introducing solid foods
Dehydration, can be associated with teething, illness, lack of fluids
Lack of fibre in older babies
Anxiety
Feeling pressured especially when potty training
if your child is constipated they may find it painful to poo which can result in them not wanting to poo, the more the hold back the more constipated they become
How to treat constipation?
Lie your baby down and gently move their legs like they are riding a bicycle
Gently massage their tummy
If bottle-fed, try giving extra water between feeds
If on solids, make sure they are having enough fibre e.g. apples, pears, prunes
Avoid sugary/processed foods
Keep a stool (poo) diary
It may take a few days to settle but if there is no improvement speak to your health visitor or doctor
The longer they are constipated the longer it can take to get back to normal
Your doctor may recommend a laxative e.g. Macrogol if on solid foods, alongside diet and lifestyle changes
They may advise a disimpaction regime
Laxatives can make overflow soiling worse before it gets better
They may also want to check for a underlying medical condition
How can you prevent constipation?
Make sure your child has plenty to drink - offer breast-fed babies more feeds; formula-fed babes can have extra water between feeds
infants 0-6 months of age: 700 ml assumed to be from milk
Babes 7-12 months of age: 800 ml from milk and complementary foods and drinks: 600 ml assumed to be water from drinks
Give your child a variety of foods including fruit, vegetables, fibre
Encourage your child to be physically active
Get your child into a routine of regulalry sitting on the potty
Make sure your child is in a comfortable position when using the potty
Stay calm and reassuring
Red Flags
Constipation from birth or in the first few weeks of life
Delay in passing meconium for more than 48 hours after birth in a full-term baby
Abdominal distension (swollen tummy) with vomiting
Family history
Ribbon stool pattern
Leg weakness or mobility concerns
Abnormal appearance of anus and surrounding regions