Question
A breastfed infant has not had a bowel movement for 8 days, and the parents are seeking guidance on how to address the child’s constipation issue. The baby is currently in good spirits and has a soft abdomen, but has not had a bowel movement since 8 days ago. The baby feels slightly restless today but shows no other abnormalities. The parents have no previous diagnosis or treatment experience and have not conducted any auxiliary examinations.
Answer
Solving infant constipation is not complicated. You can try feeding the baby some rice porridge every day, but make sure there are no rice grains in the porridge. This method can help relieve constipation without increasing the baby’s intestinal burden. Moreover, parents should not be overly concerned that the baby might be constipated due to not eating enough, as constipated babies can still defecate; they just have longer intervals between bowel movements. If the situation persists, consider using pediatric laxative, but use it cautiously to avoid over-reliance. It is recommended to consult with a healthcare professional before trying any method.