Is Your Baby Constipated?

by Kimmama | More from this Blogger

14 Aug 2009 10:31 AM

This morning I took my son in for his four month well baby appointment. Recently he has been fussing quite a bit and I've noticed he hasn't had more than a single bowel movement over the course of an entire week. The pediatrician suggested I give him an ounce of prune juice mixed with an ounce of water. He tried about a half ounce of the mixture before refusing the rest. Hopefully, if he is in fact constipated, this will do the trick!

Since babies can't tell you what hurts, it's hard to know whether your infant is suffering from constipation. The only thing you can do is look for the signs and symptoms typically associated with constipation.

Since frequency of bowel movements can vary from one child to the next, a change in frequency is more important to look for than the frequency itself. For example, my son was having a bowel movement consistently every other day until this past week, which is what triggered my suspicion. If your baby's stools are hard, dry and difficult to pass, the frequency is irrelevant: this is definitely a sign of constipation. Another sign to note is that liquid stools can sometimes pass by a blockage and end up in your baby's diaper, leading you to believe your little one is suffering from diarrhea.

Formula fed babies are more likely to be constipated than breastfed babies. You may need to switch formulas if your child is frequently suffering from constipation. Other reasons your baby might become constipated is if she has recently been introduced to solid foods, is dehydrated, or has an underlying condition or illness.

To relieve constipation, you can try diluted prune juice if your baby is two months or older. You may try adjusting her diet if she is eating solid foods. You can also use exercise or abdominal massage. Try pumping baby's legs or massaging her belly three finger widths below her navel.

Learn more about Kimmama

Kim is a freelance writer and stay at home mom to her newborn, Micah. She has been married to her husband, Eric, since 2006.

View Full Profile | More from this Blogger