Question
My baby is 19 days old, sleeps less, but is in good spirits. They have one to two bowel movements a day and often seem to need to have a bowel movement, with a tense face and exerting effort while making sounds. Could this be due to dyspepsia or another reason?
Answer
A newborn having one bowel movement per day with regularity is normal as long as the stool is not hard and is in a soft, paste-like consistency, indicating good digestion and absorption. It is important to ensure the baby receives adequate hydration. For mothers breastfeeding, it is recommended to maintain a light diet and avoid spicy or irritating foods. If necessary, consider using treatments such as hawthorn powder or seven-star tea granules. Additionally, advocate for breastfeeding, provide the baby with reasonable feeding, enhance nutrition, pay attention to keeping warm, and prevent colds.