Question
Newborns have normal bowel movements in the first few days after birth, but then experience a prolonged interval between bowel movements, changing from every two days to every three or four days, and show pain during defecation, accompanied by abdominal bloating and abnormal crying. Do these symptoms indicate that the newborn has constipation?
Answer
Early symptoms of newborn constipation include infrequent and dry stools, difficulty in defecation, pain during bowel movements, abdominal bloating and pain, as well as decreased appetite. If a newborn’s bowel movement interval exceeds 48 hours, it can be considered constipation. For infants who have just entered the world, irregular bowel movements are a common issue. Parents should closely monitor and seek professional medical advice in a timely manner.