Question
What should I do if my baby has been suffering from constipation since 7 months old, having difficulty in defecating, with the anal area stretched out, causing me great concern? I’ve tried giving him water and eating bananas and sweet potatoes, but there hasn’t been much relief. I would like to know what else I can do?
Answer
If a baby’s digestive system has not developed properly, they may experience a slowdown in intestinal peristalsis, leading to constipation again. You can give your baby abdominal massage in a clockwise direction daily to promote intestinal peristalsis. Additionally, you can provide probiotics to stabilize the intestinal flora and enhance the function of the intestines for complete recovery. If after taking probiotics for a period of time, the effect is not obvious and constipation persists, you can take oral lactulose to soften the stool and promote defecation. Moreover, for a 7-month-old baby on solid food, it is necessary to pay attention to providing more vegetables purees and fruit purees with high fiber content. As fiber content increases, the volume of stool will also increase, which helps in defecation.