constipation in new born babies

A new born baby will usually have his/her first stool within 24 hours after being born. But some babies who suffer from constipation have trouble with this. They may either have infrequent stools or dry, hard stools which are difficult to pass. Sometimes when a parent is faced with a crying baby who is obviously uncomfortable assume that their child has colic. But while colic is a common, temporary condition, severe constipation in new born babies can be a serious problem.

New born babies who are constipated may strain while passing stool, drawing the legs up towards the stomach and going red in the face from the effort. In a worst case scenario, the passing of a hard stool can cause a tear in the rectal wall, sometimes leading to bleeding. These symptoms naturally are a concern for the parents, not to mention distressing for the baby. Here are some remedies for constipation in new born babies:

• For the first few days of its life, anew born baby will pass a dark green or black substance called meconium. By the third day, regular bowel movements should start. If by this time the baby’s stool has not got regular and he/she is still passing meconium, then this could be a sign that the baby is not getting enough to eat.  
• Switching from breast milk to formula could be another reason for constipation in new born babies.
• If a baby is bottle fed, it could be that a particular brand is not agreeing with its digestion. Different formulas should be tried to find the one that suits him/her best.
• A common remedy for baby’s constipation is to change the feeding schedule and give the baby smaller amounts of formula, increasing the number of feeds, but spread out through the day.
• For formula fed babies, adding an extra bottle of water to its regular feed helps in getting constipation relief by adding more fluid to the bowels.
• Bathing a new born in a tub or sink with the water level above the baby’s stomach often helps. A gentle massage of the stomach under the warm water might stimulate the intestines and assist with passing stools, relieving constipation.
• Sometimes the iron in the formula may be the cause of constipation in new born babies. In that case the baby’s pediatrician should be consulted and the formula switched to a low-iron version for a month or two. (Please note that recent studies indicate that iron-enriched formulas do not add to constipation in babies. And getting enough iron is crucial in baby’s development .So please check with your pediatrician before switching to a low- iron formula for your infant)
• This doesn't apply to new born babies, but for slightly older infants, who are being introduced to solids, pureed pears and prunes, which are high in fiber will help in easing constipation. And barley cereal instead of rice cereal is also less constipating.
• If simple home remedies fail to relieve baby’s constipation, his/her pediatrician should be consulted. The baby might respond to glycerine suppositories, liquid glycerin or flax seed oil. 

Constipation is a condition where stools become firmer and harder. A breast feed baby will very rarely get constipation because breast milk is more easily digested. Breastfed babies have several helpful types of bacteria in their large intestine that are capable of breaking down some of the otherwise indigestible carbohydrates, proteins and fats in milk. As a result, their stools are softer, making bowel movements easier. Breast milk also contains a hormone called motile that increases the movement of the baby's bowels, helping them to empty. 

Dehydration can cause constipation. But if a breastfed baby is a little dehydrated or dry he or she can usually simply take more milk, unlike a bottle-fed baby who can drink no more than what is in the bottle. If your newborn seems to be constipated, contact his or her doctor for advice. If your older baby seems to be constipated, try simple dietary changes:

Water: Offer your baby a daily serving of water in addition to usual feedings. Start with 2 to 4 ounces (about 60 to 120 milliliters). Try more or less as you gauge your baby's response to the water. Remember, though, the water doesn't replace normal feedings with breast milk or formula.

Baby food: If your baby is eating solid foods, try pureed pears or prunes. Offer barley cereal instead of rice cereal.

Fruit juice: If water doesn't seem to help, offer your baby a daily serving of apple, prune or pear juice in addition to usual feedings. Start with 2 to 4 ounces (about 60 to 120 milliliters), and experiment to determine whether your baby needs more or less.

Constipation is a chronic problem in school children, formula feds and who have rich milk intake and low calcium intake.

Easiest way to improve is

Wash of stacked piles of stools by repeated bowel wash/ enema not more than 3 a week under medical supervision till tummy distensions goes off.

Improve water intake not to dilute stools but more to prevent bowel tendency to retain water sensing some lack of water in body. Water intake may be increased to 1.5 times of prior intake, again under medical supervision.

 Avoid constipating diet like milk, pomegrande and like others, and those e containing high proteins

add softening diet like ripe bananas, rice, stool softener

Rests all medicines don’t do much help in chronic constipation.

It’s always prudent to rule out any bowel obstruction by performing a solography or barium meal as your doctor may suggest. 

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