Question
My baby eats a lot, but now their bowel movements have started to decrease. Sometimes they go two days without a bowel movement, and sometimes three. The stool is dry, but they strain very hard when they go. Sometimes it’s four days before they have a bowel movement. How should I handle constipation in a newborn who can’t pass stool?
Answer
Hello, parent. It is recommended that you take your baby to a hospital for an immediate check-up. The main cause of constipation and inability to pass stool is slow intestinal peristalsis. This leads to the excessive absorption of water in the stool. Train your baby to have regular bowel movements. Usually, this starts around 3 months old. You can consciously train the baby to develop the habit of regular bowel movements, gradually forming a conditioned reflex. This will help in producing regular bowel movements. It’s also a good idea to give your baby plenty of water during this time.