Contents
When to talk about constipation in babies?
To each his own rhythm
A “normal” average corresponds to a daily bowel movement before 6 months and three bowel movements per week after. Some children have two bowel movements a day, others only one bowel movement every two days, or even up to one bowel movement per week for exclusively breastfed babies, without this being a sign of constipation.
Symptoms
Your child’s constipation is usually accompanied by symptoms such as crying when having a bowel movement, hard stools, abdominal pain, bloating, or red streaks in the anus (anal fissures).
Which anti-constipation milk for babies?
If you are breast-feeding your child
If he does not complain and has a good appetite, no treatment is necessary a priori. You may be able to vary your own diet by drinking more water and eating more fruits and vegetables.
If you give her infant milk
Your doctor or pharmacist will recommend a transit milk. This change may be beneficial to him. Be careful to respect the correct dosage of powder.
Bet on fibers
If your child has started food diversification, take the opportunity to slightly increase his daily ration of fruits and vegetables, in particular by offering prunes.
How to medically relieve constipation in babies?
If the dietary changes haven’t shown progress within a day or two, then your doctor may consider treatment. Here are the two main types:
- Glycerol.
The glycerin suppository can be traumatic and you risk having the opposite effect. Better to practice a mini-enema with glycerol (Bébégel type).
Generally very well tolerated by toddlers to help them transiently, the laxative (Forlax, Importal) is given by mouth.
- Laxatives
Baby constipation: stop preconceived ideas!
Do you have to give a lot of water?
No ! While it is true that dehydration is often accompanied by constipation, conversely, overhydrating a child has not been shown to be an effective remedy. It can even cause significant imbalances.
A “miracle” mineral water?
Caution. The high calcium and magnesium content of Hepar water is not without danger for the immature kidneys of infants. Seeking advice from the doctor is therefore preferable.
Act locally?
Especially not ! The use of a thermometer or a finger, very irritating, is to be avoided. In addition, the anus being a very lazy organ, the more we give it the habit of being solicited, the less it works.