Question
What’s causing my baby’s difficulty in defecating? They go about every 8-9 days, but when they were born, they went once a day and even before a month had passed, it was every 3-4 days, then 5-6 days. The stool is also runny. The doctor at the hospital said it’s because they’re not getting enough to eat, prescribed some medication, and advised to drink more water (if the mother is breastfeeding, she should also drink more water); the speed of feeding should not be too fast, and formula milk can be thinned out a bit; you can gently rub your baby’s tummy; when helping them go to the bathroom, you can gently press their legs to help them push; when they’re trying to push, give them some lubricant enema; pharmacies have baby-specific ones. Children are vulnerable to newborn diseases, so mothers must take their children to the doctor immediately for treatment to avoid various misunderstandings. Treatment should be timely and symptomatic. For parents, it’s important to observe changes in their child’s symptoms and do everything possible to help them receive timely treatment for their diseases.
Answer
A decrease in an infant’s defecation frequency may be due to insufficient feeding. Doctors recommend increasing water intake and adjusting feeding methods to address digestion issues. Additionally, massage and assistance with defecation can help alleviate symptoms. If the problem continues, immediate medical attention should be sought for the child.