Question
A parent has discovered that their 3-month-old infant is experiencing constipation, with the baby having not had a bowel movement for 4.5 days. After using a small soap ball to assist with defecation, the baby had a brief period of normal bowel movements, but then the constipation returned. This situation has persisted for about 20 days. The parent wants to know how to deal with this common pediatric constipation issue.
Answer
Constipation is a relatively common symptom in infants, and parents should not be overly concerned. A mother’s dietary habits can have a significant impact on the baby, so adjusting the diet is necessary. Infants who are breastfed typically have bowel movements 2 to 4 times a day, while those on formula feeding tend to have 1 to 2 bowel movements and are more prone to constipation. For infants under 10 months old, if the mother is able, it is recommended to maintain breastfeeding as much as possible, as this can be beneficial…