Constipation in a newborn while breastfeeding

Any new mother will confirm that one of the most common problems in newborns is various intestinal disorders - not only diarrhea, but also constipation, gas, colic. In this article, we will discuss constipation in a newborn while breastfeeding, find out when to and not to worry, how often the baby must go to the potty in the first months of life and what means can be used to alleviate the condition with constipation.

When is constipation really involved?

To begin with, you must understand that your baby does not owe anything to anyone. If you want him to go to the potty two (or at least once) a day, then these are your problems, which, alas, soon become problems for the child himself. A newborn is tortured with gas tubes and rectal suppositories, enemas, and sometimes even dubious folk remedies (for example, they put a piece of soap into the anus), while not even thinking that the body of a breastfed baby digests breast milk so well that he simply has nothing to defecate. He is feeling well, he does not need any treatment.

On a note! However, true constipation can still occur in babies when breastfeeding. This happens infrequently (much less often than mothers think), but it is still necessary to know how to act in such a situation.

Features of the functioning of the intestines of a newborn

The newborn feeds on colostrum during the first days of its life. But the latter is not much, because only meconium comes out of the baby's intestines (i.e. e. original feces), formed from what the child ate while still in the womb. This stool is very thick and dark (almost black).

But after a while, as breast milk appears in the mother, the color of the feces changes - it becomes yellow-brown or yellow. By the way, sometimes the feces also have a greenish tint - this is quite normal. The consistency of the stool also changes, it becomes softer, acquires a creamy consistency.

During the first 1.5 months, a breastfed baby can go to the potty 2-5 times a day. Although some newborns may do it less often, they feel great. For a one-month-old baby, this is one of the options for the norm, if he stably gains weight and urinates normally (about 5-6 diapers a day).

From the sixth week of life, bowel movements are less frequent. For example, at 2 months it is normal for a newborn to do this only once a day. But it is also quite normal situations when defecation occurs once every few days or even weeks (especially with breastfeeding), provided that:

• he gains weight well;
• he has no problems urinating;
• the volume of his stool is significant;
• feces does not have a putrid odor;
• the baby is doing well with health.

Important! In such cases, it is categorically not recommended to force the child to poop, otherwise a real disorder may appear!

Video - Frequency of stool in a breastfed baby

Stool retention symptoms in newborns

The following signs may indicate constipation in a baby:

• sleep problems, anxiety;
• intestinal gases with a pungent unpleasant odor;
• the child pushes a lot or even cries during bowel movements;
• bloating (the baby presses his legs towards him);
• refusal of food.

As for the feces themselves, they are quite dense in this case.

Possible causes of constipation

There are many of them, the most common reasons are shown in the table below.

Table. Why does constipation occur in newborns?

Name, photo	Short description
Dolichosigma, Hirschsprung's disease	With these pathologies, organic constipation can be observed almost from birth. Diagnosis of diseases, as well as treatment, should only be dealt with by a qualified doctor.
Early complementary foods	At first, the child's body is only able to digest breast milk, and any other food can lead to various disorders. You should not introduce complementary foods too early (that is, before two to three months), this is not justified by anything.
Improper nutrition of a nursing mother	If the baby's stool is dense, then the mother should pay more attention to her own nutrition. All foods that provoke constipation (this is fatty meat, bananas, white bread, coffee and others) should be excluded. By the way, constipation in a baby may also be due to drugs taken by the mother (for example, from gastritis, diuretics).
A sharp transition to artificial nutrition	It is necessary to transfer the baby to another food gradually, especially in the first months of his life.
Mother's milk deficiency	In this case, the child's body will assimilate everything eaten, which means that it will simply have nothing to defecate. This type of constipation is also known as "hungry".
Psychological reasons	A child who is suddenly deprived of constant communication with his mother will experience severe stress, which manifests itself in different ways (including constipation).
Not enough fluid in the baby's diet	It is not common with breastfeeding, but with formula feeding - especially if the mother kneads the formula too thickly - it is common.
Taking antibiotics	Sometimes treatment is simply necessary, but you cannot refuse taking medications. However, antibiotics kill not only harmful, but also harmful bacteria, which causes all sorts of digestive problems (including constipation).

Note! All reasons, with the exception of dolichosigma and Hirschsprung's disease, provoke functional constipation, in which the intestines are disrupted, but he himself is completely healthy.

Also note that functional constipation can be spastic and atonic. The first is provoked by intestinal spasms, the baby's feces resemble "goat peas". With atonic constipation, intestinal tone decreases; in this case, the first portion of feces is quite dense ("sausage" of large diameter), and after it a liquid mass appears. Regardless of the specific type of functional constipation, bowel movements are difficult and painful, and therefore the child needs urgent help.

Treatment features

First of all, it is recommended to identify the cause of this condition. It is possible that no additional action is required. So, with spastic constipation, stroking soft massage of the abdomen is effective, but only along the colon, i.e. clockwise. You can also alleviate the baby's condition by pressing him to you or putting a warm diaper on his stomach. The intestines will relax under the influence of heat, the child will calm down.

What medications can I use?

If the methods described above do not help to cope with constipation, then medication will be required. But before that, it is imperative to visit a doctor in order to exclude serious illnesses!

The most harmless are products that contain lactulose (for example, "Duphalac"). The dosage of the drug should be selected by the doctor, taking into account the age and weight of the baby. This drug does not cause addiction, and therefore it can be given to the child for a long time.

In addition, the newborn can be given "Bobotik", "Espumisan".

Finally, microclysters and glycerin suppositories can be prescribed, but only in the most extreme cases. Their constant use is prohibited, otherwise there is a risk that the child will no longer be able to go to the toilet without their help.

What are the dangers to be aware of?

First of all, we are talking about the folk method mentioned at the beginning of the article - about placing a piece of soap in the anus. Do not do this under any circumstances! Soap is an active alkali that can cause burns to the intestinal mucosa.

Also, do not stimulate your bowels with cotton swabs. The intestinal mucosa is very delicate (especially in a child), and if it is damaged, then the existing symptoms will be supplemented by pain from the damage.

On a note! Children who are bottle-fed are more likely to suffer from constipation than breast-fed children, and therefore the problem should be solved only when it actually is. But, which is characteristic, first the cause of constipation must be eliminated, and only then you can do massage, gymnastics, apply heat. Medicines should be used last.

How to avoid constipation in babies? Step-by-step instruction

To prevent constipation in a baby, you need to adjust not only his diet, but also the daily routine.

Step 1. First, find out if your baby has symptoms of constipation (they were described earlier). Children with constipation suffer from discomfort and pain during bowel movements.

Step 2. Find out if the frequency of bowel movements has changed. Yes, by itself it may not be a symptom of constipation, however, sudden changes in the usual schedule may indicate an intestinal disorder.

Step 3. Let your child drink enough fluids. The fact is that due to dehydration, constipation - if it is already there - can be aggravated. It is also desirable to provide the baby with a comfortable temperature to reduce moisture loss through sweat. Don't dress him too warmly, spend as little time as possible outside in hot weather.

Step 4. If your baby is bottle-fed, try using a different formula. But before making any changes, this issue should still be discussed with the pediatrician - he will give specific recommendations, taking into account the symptoms and medical history.

Step 5. Adjust your baby's diet. Some foods (such as boiled carrots, bananas, rice flakes) provoke constipation, while others (apricots, pears, prunes) prevent it.

Step 6. One of the possible causes of constipation is low physical activity. If the child does not yet know how to crawl, take his legs in the palm of your hand and make circular movements, as if he is riding a bicycle. Play with your baby, encourage him to move and roll over in every possible way.

Step 7. Gently massage your baby's belly to relieve symptoms of constipation. To do this, you can press with your fingers on the area located three fingers below the navel.

Step 8. If constipation is very severe and does not go away for a long time, be sure to visit a doctor. The fact is that constipation can indicate a fairly serious illness.

Video - Constipation in an infant