Question

Why does a baby have constipation?

Answer

Hello: Constipation in infants is a common occurrence. Although most cases of infant constipation are not caused by diseases, parents should still learn how to handle it properly. Neglecting this issue can lead to persistent constipation, which can be quite trouble. The causes of infant constipation include: ① Poor dietary habits, such as picky eating, fussy eating, especially not consuming foods rich in fiber (fresh vegetables); ② Some infants have very small appetites, which can also lead to constipation; ③ Irregular bowel habits. Some parents do not pay attention to cultivating a daily regular bowel movement habit for their children, so the children may only have a bowel movement once every 2-3 days. The longer the stool stays in the intestines, the more likely it is to become dry and difficult to pass; ④ Lack of physical activity in infants is also one of the causes of constipation. How to deal with infant constipation? ① Parents should be clear that dealing with infant constipation should focus on preventing its occurrence. Therefore, it is important to promote reasonable feeding of infants, cultivate good living habits (not picky eating, not fussy eating, regular bowel movements), and strengthen physical exercise. ② For infants with constipation, they should eat more vegetables, fruits, drink more water, consume more fatty foods, and exercise more. Constipation will improve. ③ If an infant frequently experiences constipation, some Chinese herbal medicine can be taken under a doctor’s guidance for adjustment, such as Doraotan. ④ If an infant cannot have a bowel movement for 3-4 days due to constipation, parents can take some temporary measures at home, such as inserting a baby enema into the anus or squeezing a small amount of glycerin. Pay attention to the opening of the enema.