Question
A 46-day-old baby has had a sore throat and fever for the past two days. After taking antibiotics and antipyretic medication, the symptoms have eased, and the baby is currently in good condition. The baby’s appetite has been normal since yesterday. However, as of today, the third day, the baby has not had a bowel movement. How should one handle this situation? Could there be any underlying issues?
Answer
If the baby is getting enough milk and is in good spirits, if they haven’t had a bowel movement for several days, it’s best to observe first without becoming overly anxious. You can give the baby extra fluids and gently massage the abdomen in a clockwise direction to promote intestinal movement. To increase milk intake, encourage more breastfeeding or formula feeding. If there are no other abnormalities, you can continue to observe without excessive worry. If you suspect constipation in the baby, you can try giving some probiotics. If the effect is not significant, you can also consider using a glycerin suppository to help with defecation. If the situation does not improve, seek medical treatment promptly to prevent the occurrence of intestinal obstruction.