4 Causes of Constipation in Babies and Effective Ways to Overcome It

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4 Causes of Constipation in Babies and Effective Ways to Overcome It
4 Causes of Constipation in Babies and Effective Ways to Overcome It
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Constipation in babies is common. However, this condition should not be taken lightly or allowed to drag on, because it can make the baby uncomfortable, fussy, and even experience serious complications. Therefore, it is important to know how to treat constipation in babies as early as possible

Symptoms of difficult bowel movements in infants are generally characterized by the baby not defecating less than 3 times a week, the stool is hard and difficult to pass, or the stool looks like small lumps.

4 Causes of Constipation in Babies and Effective Ways to Overcome It - Alodokter
4 Causes of Constipation in Babies and Effective Ways to Overcome It - Alodokter

Constipation in babies can also cause discomfort for them, thus making babies fussy and cry constantly.

Various Causes of Constipation in Babies

To find out how to deal with constipation in babies, parents need to know what the causes are. The following are some of the most common causes of constipation in babies:

1. Just introduced to solid food

Constipation is usually experienced by babies who are transitioning from consuming liquids or breast milk to solid foods. This can happen because the digestive system is not used to the presence of solid food.

2. Lack of fluids

Lack of fluids can cause baby poop to become dry or hard, making it difficult to remove. In addition, babies sometimes find it difficult to accept food and drinks because they have problems in their mouth, such as the growth of milk teeth or canker sores.

3. Inappropriate selection of formula milk

Formula milk has a different nutritional composition from breast milk, so it is more difficult to digest. This can cause the baby's stool to become harder and slightly larger, so that the baby is reluctant to defecate and becomes constipated.

4. Certain medical conditions

Certain medical conditions can also cause constipation in babies. In infants under 6 months of age, there are several conditions that can be a common cause of constipation in babies, namely Celiac disease, hypercalcemia, hypothyroidism, Hirschprung's disease, and spinal cord disorders.

Some other medical conditions that can also cause constipation in babies are food poisoning and food allergies or cow's milk allergy. Psychological factors can also influence babies to experience constipation, for example due to being in a foreign environment or when traveling long distances.

How to Overcome Constipation in Babies

To deal with constipation in babies, you need to adjust to the age of the little one. This is because the baby's physical condition is different at each age development. For example, constipation in babies younger than 6 months is more often caused by consuming formula milk.

However, if you want to change the type of formula milk or return to breastfeeding for your little one, it is advisable to consult a doctor first to determine its safety and find out which type of formula is suitable for your little one's condition.

Constipation in babies less than 6 months can also be overcome by swinging both legs. This movement can support movement in the digestive tract, so that feces will be easier to expel.

The method is quite easy, you just need to put your little one on the mattress in a supine position, then swing his legs like pedaling a bicycle.

Meanwhile, to treat constipation in babies aged 6–24 months, you can do the following ways:

Give high-fiber foods

Add fiber intake from vegetables and fruits to your child's complementary food menu every day. Prioritize giving him fibrous food that comes from skinned fruits and can be consumed directly, such as plums, apricots, peaches, or raisins.

Give extra fluid

If your little one consumes formula milk, you can provide additional fluid intake outside of the main meal time. Various fluid intakes can be obtained from water, soup, or fruit juice.

Fruit juice can also launch the baby's digestive system and overcome difficult bowel movements. You can give your little one fresh fruit juice from apples or pears for 1 week, but make sure not to give him more than 120 ml per day.

Limit cow's milk

If your little one is more than 18 months old, it is recommended not to give him more than 500 ml of cow's milk per day. Also avoid giving him sugary drinks before the main meal.

If you have done various ways to deal with constipation in the baby above, but your little one's condition does not improve or is accompanied by other complaints, such as bloody stools, fever, or persistent vomiting, immediately take him to the doctor for treatment. the right one.

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