Skip to main content

Babies and Constipation

Constipation in babies can be treated at home quite successfully. First you need to know causes and treatments of constipation for regulating bowel movements. A lot of newborn babies normally have their first bowel movement within 24 hours after birth. Newborn babies will have a thick greenish black like stool called meconium in the first 24 to 36 hours after birth. After the first few days, the poop will be yellowish-orange in color and grainy in composition. Baby may be constipated if she does not have a bowel movement in three or more days, or if there is any blood in the stool.

You know the pattern of baby's bowel movements as the baby grows older and can recognize any future constipation. If you notice the stool to be very dry and hard like pebble, your baby may have constipation. If your baby has occasional bowel movements like once in 2 or 3 days or if baby makes a sound or stresses a lot during bowel movement, it does not necessarily indicate she is constipated. Grunting and struggling would go away after the baby stretches and loosens the anus muscles and has had many bowel movements. Consistency and number of stools varies from baby to baby. Some may have 3 or 5 stools a day or one bowel movement after every feeding. Some may have stools once every two days.

Possible causes of constipation in babies

Newborn babies:

  • Newborn babies, have stools less than once a day with straining and difficulty to pass can be a sign of constipation
  • Babies who pass dry, hard pebble like stools and pain during a bowel movement
  • Some babies pull their legs up on abdomen when passing stool, even do grunting and it will turn babies face into red
  • Abdominal discomfort along with hard and infrequent stools.

Introduction of solid foods:

  • Low fiber Diets: When babies are introduced solid foods they often get constipation. The main reason behind is that their diet is mainly composed of low fiber diet like rice cereal, which is low in fiber
  • Foods like banana, applesauce, potato and cereals may cause constipation

How to treat constipation in newborn babies?

  • You can attempt giving one ounce of diluted prune juice once a day to treat constipation. Always consult with your pediatrician first.
  • Offer high fiber foods such as prunes, apricots, pears, peaches, peas and plums.
  • Try oatmeal cereal along with mashed prunes when baby has constipation.
  • Juices like apple and prune is helpful to ease constipation in your infant.

Other treatments

Tummy massage to treat constipation: Massage your baby's belly. Place your hands at baby's belly button and rub in a circular motion. You can carry on this practice if the baby enjoys this and is relaxed and comfortable. This may facilitate the baby in a happy bowel movement.

Warm bath: A warm bath can sometimes make the baby comfortable and aid the stool to expel more easily. After you bath the baby, apply some baby oil or Vaseline around the outside of the baby's anus. Always ask your baby's doctor first before applying.

Bicycle exercise: You can lay your baby on its back and hold the legs and turn them in a quick cycling motion.

P.S. It is always a good practice to consult a qualified pediatrician before applying any treatment.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Natural Remedies of Gas, Flatulence, and Bloating

Here are some stomach problems and their natural remedies but before trying any natural remedy, however, it's always important to consult a qualified health care provider to rule out some dangerous indication which might be overlooked yourself.   Swallowed Air Poorly Absorbed Carbohydrates   Gas and Flatulence After High-Fat Meals   Odorous Flatulence and Gas   Eating Foods that Produce Gas   Other Conditions

mass converter gram kilogram lb oz

Mass Converter Mass, t = Mass, kg = Mass, g = Mass, mg = Mass, μg = Mass, lb = Mass, oz = Mass, US ton = With this converter, you can simultaneously convert several mass units to other mass units. Simple example: 1 kg = 1000 g Composite example: 1 kg and 10 g = 101000 mg Abbreviations for mass: t - tonne (metric ton); kg - kilogram; g - gram; mg - milligram; μg - microgram; lb, lbs - pound; oz - ounce.

کشف المحجوب

 شیخ علی بن عثمان الہجویریؒ اور ان کی کتاب کشف المحجوب پر ایک نظر ڈاکٹر رئیس احمد نعمانی ابتدائیہ علامہ اقبالؒ نے اپنی مثنوی 'اسرار خودی' میں ایک عنوان اس طرح لکھا ہے: ''حکایت نوجوانی از مرو کہ پیش حضرت سید مخدوم ہجویری رحمۃ اللہ علیہ آمدہ ازستم اعوا فریاد کرد'' اس عنوان کے تحت انہیں نے جو کہانی نظم کی ہے، اس کی تمہید میں یہ ابیات بھی لکھے ہیں : سیّد ہجویر مخدوم امم مرقد او پیر سنجر ۱؎ را حرم بندھاری کوھسار آسان گسخت در زمین ھند تخم سجدہ ریخت عہد فاروق از جمالش ۲؎ تازہ شد حق ز حرف اور بلند آوازہ شد پاسبان عترت امّ الکتاب از نگاھش خانۂ باطل خراب خاکِ پنجاب از دم اوزندہ گشت صبح ما از مہر اوتابندہ گشت۳؎ مثنوی کے ان ابیات میں 'مخدوم امم' کہنا اور شیخ ہجویری کے قیام لاہور کے زمانے کو عہد فاروق اعظمؓ کا مماثل قرار دینا، خلافِ واقعہ سہی، تاہم ان پانچ بیتوں میں ، پانچویں صدی ہجری کے معروف بزرگ شیخ علی بن عثمان ہجویریؒ کے بلند روحانی مرتبے، دشوار گزار راہوں سے گزر کر ہندوستان آنے، یہاں آ کر عبادتِ ال