What Is Good For Newborn Constipation

A Reaction To A Certain Formula

Formula-fed babies, in general, dont poo as often, so theres no need to worry if its been a few days. Talk to your GP if youre concerned as they may recommend trying a different kind of formula. Specific hydrolysed formulas contain protein that is broken down into smaller pieces, so are easier for babies to digest.

Signs Of Constipation In Babies

In addition to the symptoms mentioned above, youll probably notice a few other signs of baby constipation. Irritability and a decreased appetite, which might disappear shortly after baby passes a large stool, are often telltale clues.

Worried about all that moaning and groaning? Take a deep breath its perfectly normal and isnt a sign of constipation in babies. Grunting and straining to push out a stool is normal in young babies. Its difficult for them to pass a bowel movement while lying flat on their backs and not getting any benefit from gravity, says Trina Blythe, MD, a pediatrician at Progress West Hospital in OFallon, Missouri.

Babies bodies often need time to figure out the whole pooping process, like learning how to relax their pelvic floor to have a bowel movement. A lot of parents come in and think their child is constipated, when what theyre really dealing with is infant dyscheziaa condition in which an otherwise normal, healthy infant will have at least 10 minutes of straining, crying, irritability and maybe turning red or purple in the face while trying to have a bowel movement, Santo Domingo explains. These symptoms continue until baby finally goesbut the resulting stool is actually soft.

The Microbiome Of The Baby

Constipation in both babies and adults is a clear sign that something is wrong with the digestive system or the microbiome.

The microbiome is the medical term for the intestinal environment. This includes friendly bacteria that do important jobs, such as combating pathogens, manufacturing vitamins and aiding digestion and absorption of nutrients critical to the health of the baby.

The microbiome is also an important part of the immune system and helps to protect the baby against disease. This microbiome develops in the baby in three stages and plays a crucial role in the future health and development of the baby.

The health of the microbiome may also be linked to digestive problems like constipation, gas and colic.

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Best Baby Formulas For Constipation: Details For You To Know

As a general recommendation for most babies, my top choice is HiPP Dutch Combiotic Formula This nutritionally-complete formula is one of the best on the market and is arguably the closest formula alternative to breast milk. Its a great choice if you are starting your baby on formula and want to prevent constipation or digestive issues to begin with.

Its free from starch, gluten, maltodextrin, corn syrup, GMO ingredients, synthetic ingredients, and synthetic preservatives. All HiPP Dutch formulas are made with high-quality organic skimmed milk, organic whey powder, organic vegetable oils, and organic lactose. They contain essential vitamins, nutrients, and omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. HiPP Dutch Combiotic formula includes both prebiotics as well as a probiotic , thus providing beneficial microorganisms and the dietary fibers that will help those bacteria flourish in the intestines.

HiPP PRE is made in Germany, but is virtually identical in ingredients and in composition to HiPP Dutch, so Id rank it just as highly as HiPP Dutch here!

Loulouka is made from grass-fed cows and comes from Switzerland. Its great if you want a formula with no palm oil, no soy oil, and that doesnt have any ARA or probiotics added. Loulouka does have DHA added, is made with skimmed milk and has prebiotics added as well. Loulouka is 1 of 2 formulas made without palm oil or soy oil .

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.

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What Are Some Home Remedies For Baby Constipation

If your baby becomes constipated once heâs started on solid foods, check in with your healthcare provider, who may recommend any of the following changes or additions to his diet to help relieve constipation:

• Water. If your baby is over 6 months old , offer him a little water in a sippy cup with his meals. This shouldnât replace breast milk or formula, however.

• Fruit juice. A few ounces of 100 percent fruit juice such as apple, pear, or prune juice can also help your baby. These juices contain sorbitol, which works like a natural laxative.

• Certain fruits and vegetables. Once your baby is eating solid foods, give him pureed foods such as prunes, pears, peaches, and peas. These can help with constipation since they contain more fiber than other fruits and vegetables.

• Infant cereals. Try feeding him whole-wheat, barley, or multigrain infant cereal once he is eating solid foods. These three types contain more fiber than rice cereal and may help get things moving.

If the above dietary changes havenât given your baby relief, contact his healthcare provider again for guidance.

Baby Foods That Help With Constipation

Wondering how to relieve constipation in babies quickly? When Baby’s poops become more infrequent, harder, or difficult to pass, enlist the help of these foods to soften the situation:

• Fiber. Anything containing bran, known for it’s high fiber content, should help loosen up your baby’s stool. Think fiber-rich cereals, whole-wheat pasta, and brown rice.
• “P” fruits. These include pears, plums, peaches, and prunes. Their juice counterparts could also do the trick. Dr. Shu often recommends pear juice it works really well and kids actually like it.
• Vegetables. Broccoli, beans, and Brussels sprouts can get things back on track.
• Water. Sometimes your baby’s system just needs a good flushing to get working again. But note that babies can only have small sips of water, and only after they hit 6 months of age.

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Breastfed Babies And Constipation

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.

What Are The Signs Of Constipation In Babies

The following signs may indicate your baby is constipated:

• Pooing fewer than three times a week

• Hard, dry or lumpy poos or poo that comes out in little pellets

• Poos that are bigger than usual

• Your baby finds it hard to poo and may look like he or she is straining

• Poo and wind may be smellier than usual

• Reduced appetite or a tummy ache that gets better after doing a poo

• Traces of blood in the poo

• A firm tummy

• In children over 1 year old, soiled underwear can be due to constipation. This happens when runny poo, or diarrhoea runs around a hard stool thatâs causing a blockage.

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How To Prevent Constipation

• Make sure your child has plenty to drink offer breastfed babies who are not eating solids yet plenty of breastfeeds. Formula-fed babies can have extra drinks of water between their formula feeds. See more advice on drinks for babies and toddlers.
• Give your child a variety of foods, including plenty of fruit and vegetables, which are a good source of fibre. See what to feed young children.
• Encourage your child to be physically active. For more information, read the physical activity guidelines for children aged under 5 years.
• Get your child into a routine of regularly sitting on the potty or toilet, after meals or before bed, and praise them whether or not they poo. This is particularly important for potty-trained boys, who may forget about pooing once they are weeing standing up.
• Make sure your child can rest their feet flat on the floor or a step when they’re using the potty or toilet, to get them in a good position for pooing. ERIC, The Children’s Bowel & Bladder Charity’s leaflet, Children’s Bowel Problems shows this position.
• Ask if they feel worried about using the potty or toilet some children do not want to poo in certain situations, such as at nursery or school.
• Stay calm and reassuring, so that your child does not see going to the toilet as a stressful situation you want your child to see pooing as a normal part of life, not something to be ashamed of.

How Can You Tell If Your Baby Is Constipated

If you suspect your baby may be constipated, ask yourself the following questions:

• Is she more fussy than usual?

• Is she spitting up more often?

• Is she having significantly fewer bowel movements than at other times?

• Are her stools harder than usual, and/or are they bloody?

• Does she strain for longer than 10 minutes when she needs to poop but still not pass anything?

If you answered âyesâ to any of these, your little one may be constipated.

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What Are The Signs Of Constipation

The most important sign of constipation is that the poo is hard and dry or crumbly and it looks like marbles. Other signs of constipation in babies are:

• Your baby is crying and looks uncomfortable before doing a poo.
• The poo or wind smells bad.
• Your baby isnt eating as much.
• Your baby has a hard belly.

If the poo is very hard, it can sometimes cause small tears to form around your babys anus . These little tears can bleed and can cause your baby more pain and discomfort.

Gerber Good Start Soothe

Good Start Soothe offers complete nutrition that is very similar to breastmilk, supporting babies up to 12 months. The specific formula of this blend provides prebiotics, comfort proteins, and probiotics. This makes it easy to digest, provides healthy bacteria, and helps to produce more comfortable bowel movements.

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Gerber Good Start Gentle Infect Formula

Normally, you will find this formula in the form of powder. However, if you prefer liquid form, then it is available as well. It is rated as one of the most suitable formulas, especially for constipation and gas.

There are some special proteins in this formula that have significant impacts on the babys digestive system. The small proteins are beneficial for digestion and also keep the babys stool soft. As a result, bowel movements will be a lot easier.

Also, if your baby has a very sensitive stomach, then this formula is also suitable. In fact, it can improve the condition of the babys stomach. The manufacturers claimed that their formula provides the same taste and benefits as breast milk. It provides a large number of probiotics, prebiotics, and necessary nutrients, exactly like the mothers breast milk.

Furthermore, its richness of nutrients is also responsible for its positive effects on the babys eyes and brain. DHA which can be found in this formula plays an essential role in the development of the babys brain and eyes. Normally, the baby gets DHA into the body through breastfeeding. This product is another excellent way to provide your baby with such nutrients.

The customer service is considered excellent since they are available to help all the time. Besides, customers will get direct access to additional services, such as nutrition and lactation consultation.

Pros

• Good for the brain and eyes as well
• Great customer service with free consultation

Cons

Dangers Of Infant Constipation

Parents should always remember warning signs related to constipation for which they should seek immediate medical treatment for their infant, including: abdominal distension and/or tenderness, rectal bleeding, and vomiting bile or blood.

If constipation issues are severe or start early in the neonatal period it could be a sign of a more serious problem, like Hirschsprung disease, anatomic anomalies, hypothyroidism, and cystic fibrosis, Hahn said. Your pediatrician is your best resource to help decide if your baby needs any tests or imaging studies to evaluate the constipation.

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What You Should Do

As the use of drugs is limited to babies, you had better search for other ways. In fact, there is no need for medicine to be a part of constipation treatment. They only bring side effects for baby.

Instead, you can apply a series of steps to change your babys daily habits and then, put an end to this annoying problem.

How Long Can Your Baby Go Without Pooping

The frequency of your babyâs bowel movements can vary from day to day, and every baby is different. A baby who is consuming formula tends to poop at least once per day, but itâs possible for her not to poop for a day or two without necessarily being constipated.In the early weeks, breastfed babies may poop more often since breast milk is easily digested, but at around 3 to 6 weeks old breastfed babies may start having fewer bowel movements, with as little as one or two per week, but still not be constipated.

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Breastfed Baby With Constipation

The ideal food for a newborn baby is breast milk. It contains exactly the right balance of nutrients and also provides important antibodies to help the baby resist disease in the critical period while he or she is too young for baby immunizations.

However, breastfeeding isn’t always practical or even possible. There are a number of reasons why breastfeeding may even be dangerous for the baby:

• Maternal viral infections that can pass to the baby through breast milk
• Maternal medications that pass into the breast milk
• Mother has a history of drug abuse
• Mother is undergoing certain medical procedures, such as radiotherapy
• Mother is a smoker or consumes alcohol regularly
• Mother’s health causes poor breast milk quality
• Mother cannot produce enough breast milk to support the baby due to hypoplasia or other conditions

Lifestyle factors can also interfere with successful breastfeeding. Medical professionals all concur that while breast milk is best for babies when breastfeeding isn’t feasible, carefully designed infant formulas will provide a good alternative for the formula-fed babies’ health, growth and development.

A formula-fed baby receiving a quality formula will get all the nutrients he or she needs, but a formula-fed baby may not feed as often as a breast-fed one. This is probably due to natural changes that occur in breast milk over time and is not a cause for concern.