Question
Why do newborns, around 20 days old, sometimes only have bowel movements once every three days? Does this indicate a health issue? How should it be handled?
Answer
The frequency of bowel movements in newborns can vary due to individual differences, and breastfed infants usually experience less constipation. If constipation occurs, you can try giving orange juice, pineapple juice, jujube juice, or kale water to stimulate intestinal movement. For infants with constipation, a simple massage technique can be used: fold your right hand into four fingers and gently press and massage the baby’s navel area in a clockwise direction. This not only helps with bowel movements but also aids in digestion. Additionally, you can use the soap stick enema method: cut a pencil-thick soap stick longer than 3 centimeters into strips, wet it with water, and insert it into the baby’s anus to stimulate the intestinal wall and promote bowel movements. Another method is to use the salted radish stick enema method: cut radish sticks into pencil-thick strips, soak them in saltwater, and insert them into the anus to promote bowel movements as well.