Question
The child has been crying and fussy lately, and not eating much. What should I do if an 8-month-old baby hasn’t pooped for 5 days?
Answer
Based on the symptoms you described, it is likely that the baby is experiencing constipation, primarily due to heat in the gastrointestinal tract, depletion of fluids, and retention of waste products. Treatment should include administering cod liver oil. Your situation may be due to fluid deficiency and dry intestines, where the intestines lose moisture and fail to conduct properly, leading to symptoms such as dry and difficult stools and signs of fluid deficiency. This condition is also known as large intestine fluid deficiency syndrome with excessive internal heat. Treatment can include using Mahen Wan (a traditional Chinese medicine pill) or eating bananas.