Question
My three-month-old baby’s gas pain has suddenly become severe recently. He cries when he passes gas, and it stops when he does. Besides, I have to help him lift his legs and push his bottom to defecate; otherwise, he strains but can’t see any stool. He is usually on a combination of breastfeeding and formula feeding, and he often has gas. I give him probiotics from Hefei. I’m wondering if helping him defecate like this will cause him to reject it? Besides mixed feeding, should I avoid certain foods like eggs if he always has gas?
Answer
At this age, a baby’s bowel habits are often related to the feeding method. Generally, breastfed babies have looser stools and can defecate multiple times a day. Formula-fed babies, on the other hand, often have drier stools and may defecate once or several times a day. If your baby is formula-fed, it is recommended to give him some plain water between meals to increase his bowel’s absorption of water, which can help relieve constipation. Additionally, massaging your baby’s abdomen can help speed up the digestive movement.