Question
What should I do if my baby hasn’t pooped for five days?
Answer
A baby not pooping for five days is a normal phenomenon since they haven’t developed the habit of defecating at regular intervals. As long as the stool is not dry, there’s no need to worry. You can help your baby with abdominal massage daily, using three fingers to massage clockwise around the navel for 5 minutes, twice a day, in the morning and evening, to promote intestinal peristalsis. Moreover, starting from when the baby is two months old, it’s important to cultivate good defecation habits so that they can defecate on time, preferably in the morning or before bedtime to ensure a more peaceful sleep at night. Defecating before meals allows the baby to eat better, but avoid doing so after meals. Mom should carefully observe the baby’s defecation situation and consciously schedule defecation according to the child’s specific conditions. While defecating, mom can make a sound of “uh-uh-uh” along with the baby. Guidance: Plain water is the best lubricant for babies, and they need a large amount of fluids daily, about half the amount of each feeding: 30 ml from the second week; 45 ml from the third week; 50 to 60 ml after one month; 60 to 75 ml at three months; 70 to 80 ml at four months; 80 to 100 ml at six months; and 100 to 120 ml from eight to twelve months. Increase water intake appropriately during summer. More frequent drinking is needed when there is fever, high fever, and vomiting or nausea. Survival Care: The baby’s gastrointestinal system is not fully developed and can digest more probiotics like Mommy Love and Heshengyuan. Mommy Love and Heshengyuan are probiotics (not medicine) used to regulate the gastrointestinal system.