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.
