Question
A four-month-old baby has not had a bowel movement for five consecutive days, but otherwise seems fine. He still eats and sleeps on time, and you can hear him make sounds, though the smell is not strong. What should be done? There were two previous episodes of constipation, when he was fed rice porridge, which took three and four days respectively for him to defecate. This time, he has also eaten rice porridge, and it has been five days without a bowel movement, causing concern.
Answer
Some babies may experience bowel movements every three to five days, which is referred to as “storing in the belly.” As long as the baby does not show any abnormal symptoms such as fever, vomiting, abdominal pain, lack of energy, or reduced milk intake, there is no need to worry. If other abnormal symptoms appear, it is advisable to go to the hospital for a check-up to see if there is an infection and to undergo a digestive tract ultrasound to determine if there are any other issues. Be cautious about contacting people with colds, avoid catching a cold, and breastfeeding mothers should avoid eating greasy, spicy, or irritating foods. If you feel the baby has stool but has difficulty passing it, you can try using an enema; if necessary, undergo a digestive tract ultrasound to determine if there are any other issues.