How To Soften Newborn Stool

When To Call The Pediatrician

Natural Stool Softener Foods to Stop Straining with Bowel Movements

Since pooping patterns and stool colors can vary so widely, theres not much reason to worry as long as your baby’s stays fairly consistent and shes acting like herself. If you notice any sudden changes, any indication shes uncomfortable, or if shes having small hard stools, be sure to check in with your pediatrician.

Causes Of Infant Constipation

It is often frustrating for parents to try to understand the causes of their child’s constipation. Although some parents understand the role that too much cow’s milk, a diet low in fiber, and not drinking enough fluids have in contributing to constipation, they may have other children with the same diet who aren’t constipated.

In addition to your child’s eating habits, the other main factor that contributes to constipation is infrequent bowel movements. This can occur after a child has had a large, hard, and painful bowel movement. Because they may associate going to the bathroom with pain after this experience, they will try to hold their stools.

This creates a vicious cycle. Bowel movements are painful, so the child holds them in, causing stools to be even larger and harder, which causes more pain when they finally pass. Another common cause of constipation and infrequent stools is having a bad experience with potty training.

Although rare, there are some medical causes of constipation, such as Hirschsprung’s disease, cystic fibrosis, and hypothyroidism. Constipation is also often found in children with special needs, such as spina bifida, Down syndrome, and cerebral palsy, and it can be a side effect of many medications.

What Are The Signs And Symptoms Of Infant Constipation

The following signs may indicate your baby is constipated:

  • Your baby has hard bowel movements that look like round, ball-shaped pellets

  • Your baby may arch her back or cry when having difficulty passing a bowel movement. Keep in mind that itâs common for infants to strain when poopingâafter all your baby will most likely be pooping while lying on her back, which isnât that easy to do. If your baby passes a soft bowel movement after straining, she is probably not constipated

  • Your baby’s bowel movements are happening less frequently than normal.

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Causes Of Hard Stools

Low fiber food and inadequate water intake can cause hard stools. Few examples of food that are low in fiber are fats, refined sugar, white carbohydrates such as white bread, eggs, white rice, pasta, fruits without skins ,meat, canned vegetables and fruits, fruit juice without pulp, processed food etc.

Medicines like antidepressants, codeine, morphine and calcium channel blockers causes hard stools. Strong pain medicines, such as narcotics or iron pills also cause constipation. Constipation is caused by some antacid medicines containing calcium or aluminum. Overuse of laxatives also weakens the bowel muscles thus resulting in constipation or hard stools.

During pregnancy, there is an increase in the hormone called progesterone. This hormone is responsible for relaxation of muscles throughout the body, including the digestive tract. Increase in it causes constipation and hard stools because the food passes through the intestines more slowly. The problem increases in the later stage of pregnancy because of the pressure of growing uterus on the rectum. Iron supplements given to women during pregnancy can make constipation worse if taken in high doses.

  • Changes in your daily schedule
  • Resisting the urge of using the washroom when you have to
  • Try An Infant Glycerin Suppository

    Are Soft Stools Normal

    These have a laxative effect, usually relieving constipation temporarily and allowing a poop to pass in 10-15 minutes.

    Glycerin suppositories are available over the counter, but only meant for occasional use dont use more than a few times without checking with your pediatrician.

    STEP 1: Again, gather supplies needed to minimize poopy mess, plus the suppository, and wash your hands.

    STEP 2: Lie baby over your lap, with one hand supporting and holding the chest and arms, other at the ready with suppository.

    STEP 3: Insert the suppository into the rectum, as far as itll go, and move it around a little, to help the rectal muscles relax.

    STEP 4: To help dissolve the suppository so it can do its job, hold your newborns buttocks together.

    STEP 5: Wait for the action! Move baby into a different position if you like, but she may find this front-lying position more comfortable than others if constipated or gassy.

    Read Also: How Do You Wash A Newborn Baby

    Can Few Poops Still Be Normal

    Because breast milk is so nutritious, sometimes a babyâs body absorbs almost all of it, leaving little to move through the digestive tract. Your baby may poop only once in a while — itâs perfectly normal for breastfed infants to have a bowel movement once a week.

    Some infants just have a slower gut, so they don’t go very often. Hard stools are common from time to time. But if your baby seems to be in pain or you have any concerns, call your doctor.

    In rare cases, a medical problem causes lasting, serious constipation. For example, the muscles in the intestine arenât working the way they should or thereâs a blockage in the digestive tract.

    Remedies For Constipation In Babies And Children

    Remedies for Constipation in Babies and Children

    Guest blog by Allison Jandu Potty Training Expert

    Remedies for constipation in babies and children are important to know. Unfortunately, constipation is very common in babies and children. But if you know what to look for and have a couple remedies in your back pocket, the problem can usually be relieved fairly quickly.

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    How Liquid Foods Affect Constipation

    Constipation in infants can be a symptom of an allergy to the protein in cow’s milk, says Diana Lerner, M.D., a pediatric gastroenterologist at the Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin in Milwaukee. Both breastfed and formula-fed infants can be affected. If you suspect a cow’s milk allergy , the first step is to eliminate it from your baby’s diet to see if the change relieves their symptoms.

    If your baby is breastfed and you’re the one nursing them, removing cow’s milk from their diet ultimately means removing cow’s milk products from your diet to avoid passing those proteins along. To replace it, try adding foods that help your baby poop, such as prunes and fiber-filled items.

    Exclusively formula-fed babies are more likely to experience constipation than breastfed infants, says Jane Morton, M.D., an emeritus adjunct clinical professor of pediatrics at Stanford University School of Medicine. Some ingredients in formula might be more challenging to a baby’s digestive system and can result in much firmer poops. Before switching infant formulas, however, it’s always best to consult with your child’s pediatrician.

    Stools: How Often Is Normal

    How can I make my baby poop instantly?
    • Normal Range: 3 per day to 1 every 2 days. Once children are on normal table foods, their stool pattern is like adults.
    • Kids who go every 4 or 5 days almost always have pain with passage. They also have a lot of straining.
    • Kids who go every 3 days often drift into longer times. Then, they also develop symptoms.
    • Passing a stool should be free of pain.
    • Any child with pain during stool passage or lots of straining needs treatment. At the very least, the child should be treated with changes in diet.

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    When Is Baby Constipation A Sign Of Something Serious

    The good news is baby constipation usually isnt serious. However, chronic constipation may lead to complicationsor signal an underlying health issue. My baby constipation rule of thumb is this: Call your babys doctor if more than three days pass without a poop. Call even sooner if your baby has a weak cry, weak suck, or is acting ill. Again, three days does not necessarily mean there is a problem…but its a good idea to see what your pediatrician has to say.

    If constipation is persistentor your baby is acting weak or illthe doctor may want to check your little one out and perhaps screen for rare issues that can sometimes masquerade as constipation:

    • Hypothyroidism: A totally curable condition caused by an underactive thyroid gland. If left untreated, hypothyroidism is a serious problem because it may slow mental development.

    • Hirschsprungs disease: This birth defect occurs when the nerves in the rectum dont develop properly. The babys rectal muscles tightly clenchunable to relaxwhich blocks the poop from passing and causes intestinal obstruction. Fortunately, this problem can be corrected with surgery.

    • Infantile botulism: A rare disease characterized by several days of progressive weakness . Its caused by botulism spores hiding in liquid-y sweets, such as honey or corn syrup. While these are safe for older children, they should never be given to babies under 1 year of age.

    Symptoms Of Constipation In Children

    A normal poo should be easy to push out and look like a sausage.

    But if your child is constipated, poo becomes hard to push out. Your child might feel pain and discomfort when doing a poo or trying to do one. This might make your child avoid pooing, which can make the problem worse.

    Hard poo might overstretch your childs and cause small tears on the surface, which might lead to pain and bleeding.

    Your child might also have tummy pains that come and go. Some children might show holding on behaviour like rocking or fidgeting, crossing legs or refusing to sit on the toilet. They might also seem generally cranky.

    If your child has been constipated for a long time, they might poo in their pants without meaning to. It might be a small or large amount of poo, and it might happen at any time of the day. This is called soiling or faecal incontinence.

    Some children poo 2-3 times a day, and other children poo twice a week. This range is normal.

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    Foods To Help Baby Poop

    Changes in poop, including constipation, are somewhat common when babies start eating solid food. But before you reach for the sugary prune puree or increase baby’s water intake, consider working more of the below foods into baby’s diet.

    Not sure which foods to feed baby? Consider getting our First Foods Essentials guides to the best and worst foods for babies.

    Have a picky eater who won’t eat these foods? See our guide on Strategies to Relieve Constipation in Picky Eaters.

    Other tips to help relieve constipation:

    Swap out refined grains and try quinoa, wild rice, buckwheat, lentils, and more in the form of whole grain breads, pastas, and other grain foods.

    Warm baths: Warm water helps relax babys abdominal muscles, making a bowel movement easier for baby.

    Gentle massage: Like baths, a gentle massage of babys tummy can help relax babys abdominal muscles and soothe babys discomfort.

    A dash of water: Instead of the commonly recommended fruit juice, small amounts of water can be offered in the vast majority of infants 6 months and older. Avoid offering more, since water can take the place of formula or breast milk and always be sure to be in touch with baby’s pediatric healthcare provider.

    V. Kalami, MNSP, RD, CSPR. Ruiz, MD, FAAP. Board-Certified General Pediatrician & Pediatric Gastroenterologist

    Constipation Is A Painful Cycle

    Always Have Soft Stool

    Follow me closely as to whats going on in his gut. As digested food travels down his intestines, water and nutrients are absorbed, and the waste material becomes his bowel movements. For a soft and painless stool to form, enough water must remain in the waste material, and the lower intestinal muscles must contract and relax to move the stool along and out. Malfunction of either of these mechanisms too little water or poor muscle movement can cause constipation.

    When your babys bowel movements become hard and painful, this causes him to hold them in, which makes them harder and more difficult to pass. Over time, the bowel muscle weakens, which further aggravates the problem. Next, the passage of hard stools through a narrow rectum often tears the rectal wall , accounting for streaks of blood you may notice in your babys diaper. This cycle explains why it often takes about six weeks of stool-softening for the bowel muscle to regain its strength.

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    The Scoop On Infant Poop: Is That Normal

    New moms and dads usually come up with plenty of things to worry about as they learn to care for their baby. Its not uncommon for your babys bowel movements to be at the top of that list. Are they going too often or not enough? Is that greenish color normal? Should it smell the way it does? And why is it that texture?

    To decode whats going on in your babys diaper, we spoke with Joseph Gwiszcz, MD, FAAP, a pediatrician at CHOP Primary Care, Haverford, about all things poop. Heres what to expect, whats normal, and some common signs it may be time to call a pediatrician.

    Skip These Baby Constipation Remedies

    Never give your infant mineral oil, stimulant laxatives, or enemas to treat constipation. And never offer your baby honey or corn syrup as a laxative before their first birthday. Always ask your pediatrician before giving either to your baby as a constipation remedyeven if they are over 12 months old.

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    Why The Frequency Of Stools Change

    A decrease in the number of times your baby poops doesn’t necessarily mean he is constipated.

    A decrease in the frequency of bowel motions is often noticeable around 4 weeks of age, particularly when a baby is breastfed. As your baby’s digestive system matures his body is better able to digest and absorb the many nutrients in milk and as a result there in less waste .

    It is around this time that a mother’s breast milk supply settles to meet her baby’s needs, so this also results is less poop.

    A reduction in the number of of bowel motions of a formula fed baby may also be seen around this age. However, it generally less obvious than changes seen in fully breastfed infants.

    Other time where a change in the amount and how often a baby poops, may occur as a result of changes in diet. A sudden change in the frequency of bowel motions is commonly seen when…

    • A baby is switched from breast milk to formula.
    • The type of formula is changed.
    • A baby first starts to eat solid foods.
    • The amount of solid foods is increased.
    • When a baby is first introduced to regular cow’s milk.

    How Often Should My Formula

    What foods will help your baby poop? Baby Constipation.

    Newborns often have a lot of bowel movements, sometimes dirtying diapers after each feed! But after the first couple of weeks, babies usually settle into a pretty consistent pooping routine. For formula-fed babies, that means often having one to three dirty diapers most days, but dont be too surprised if they have one no-poop day once in a while. Remember, frequency varies, so dont be too alarmed if your baby doesnt quite fit into these pooping parameters.

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    How To Prevent Baby Constipation

    As for preventing infant constipation, unfortunately theres a lot you can proactively do. Prevention really comes down to recognizing the warning signs, and trying to stay on top of them, Santo Domingo says. Of course, monitoring babys diet for foods that cause constipation, giving them a diverse assortment of fibrous fruits and veggies and keeping them hydrated may help.

    About the experts:

    Trina Blythe, MD, is a BJC Medical Group pediatrician at Progress West Hospital in OFallon, Missouri. She received her medical degree from Albany Medical Center in New York.

    Lisa Santo Domingo, DNP, MSN, is a pediatric nurse practitioner and medical director of Johns Hopkins Hospitals Pediatric Chronic Constipation Clinic. She received her doctor of nursing degree at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland.

    Please note: The Bump and the materials and information it contains are not intended to, and do not constitute, medical or other health advice or diagnosis and should not be used as such. You should always consult with a qualified physician or health professional about your specific circumstances.

    Please note: The Bump and the materials and information it contains are not intended to, and do not constitute, medical or other health advice or diagnosis and should not be used as such. You should always consult with a qualified physician or health professional about your specific circumstances.

    Plus, more from The Bump:

    Causes Of Constipation In Children

    Constipation happens for several reasons.

    It can happen when children hold poos in. They might hold poo in because they:

    • are too busy playing
    • have pain when they do a poo and theyre afraid to go to the toilet
    • dont want to use the toilets at preschool or school.

    Constipation might also happen because children:

    • arent eating enough fibre
    • have been sick and have been eating and drinking less.

    These situations can all lead to a build-up of poo in the bowel. When this happens, the poo gets too big or hard to push out easily.

    There are some underlying medical conditions that might cause constipation in children, but these arent common.

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    What To Know About Poop For Babies With Complex Medical Needs

    Babies who spend time in the NICU or have complex medical needs often need extra care or follow different developmental timelines than other babies. Parents need to learn new information about their babys condition and what to look for.

    When it comes to baby poop, parents whose babies have medical conditions should be on the lookout for the same things mentioned above, with a few additions.

    Breastfed Babies And Constipation

    Baby Stool Softeners

    Breastfed babies rarely get constipated because breast milk contains a natural laxative. They tend to have yellow-coloured seedy poos that are often quite soft.

    Newborn breastfed babies may poo after every feed. Older breastfed babies may go up to a week without pooing. This is not constipation if the poo is soft.

    • seeming to be in severe pain
    • any abnormalities of their bottom – for example, if it is closed over
    • poos that are very pale in colour

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