Question

A 40-day-old baby has not defecated for a week, but the abdomen feels soft and the appetite is normal. How should one handle this situation?

Answer

Based on the description, if the baby has not defecated yet, this condition may indicate poor gastrointestinal motility. It is recommended to provide the baby with an adequate amount of water regularly and try gently massaging the abdomen in a clockwise direction. If the situation does not improve and the baby’s defecation time prolongs, with normal appetite and no abdominal bloating, it may be related to congenital megacolon. It is advisable to bring the baby to the hospital for examination to confirm whether there is a megacolon issue. If the examination results are normal, consider giving the baby probiotics and continue to observe their defecation situation.