Question
My baby is a premature baby and is ten days old. They haven’t had a bowel movement since the seventh day. What could be the cause, and how should we treat it? Urgent, thank you.
Answer
It’s common for breastfed infants to have bowel movements infrequently, with one to two bowel movements a week being typical. Slower intestinal movement can also be a cause. If the baby is formula-fed, make sure to give them water. Turn the baby over to promote intestinal movement; avoid having them lie flat. Gently massage in a clockwise direction around the navel. If these measures are taken and there’s still little stool, consider a warm water bath. The baby’s muscles relax in water, making massage after the bath easier for bowel movements. It’s best to use these physical methods. Additionally, consider medications that adjust the intestinal flora.