Question
Dear doctor, our baby often experiences dry stool, needing several days to defecate once, which is quite concerning for us. The baby is nearly 9 months old and still primarily breastfed, but seems uninterested in drinking water. How should we handle this issue? Can you provide some effective suggestions?
Answer
The primary task is to train the baby to develop regular defecation habits. Generally, parents can start assisting the baby in establishing a regular pattern of bowel movements from around 3 months of age. From the age of 3 months, after each morning feeding, parents can schedule the baby to sit on the toilet bowl. Pay attention to the indoor temperature and the comfort of the toilet bowl to ensure that the baby does not develop a dislike or discomfort towards it. Parents can place their palm flat on the baby’s navel and gently massage in a clockwise direction. This not only promotes the baby’s intestinal peristalsis but also helps with defecation, and at the same time…