Causes Of Constipation In Babies

According to the Spanish Association of Pediatrics, constipation is “a frequent problem in pediatric age”. In fact, it is a frequent reason for consulting the pediatrician and between 0.3 and 8% of the child population suffers from it.

There is no clear definition of constipation in babies, although, as a general rule,  a baby is considered constipated when :

1. Decreases the amount of daily bowel movements that are normal for the creature. There are children who defecate 4 or 5 times a day and others do it once a day or even every two or three days.
2. The baby has trouble having a bowel movement because the stool is “hard.”
3. The little one suffers pain when evacuating.
4. There is a variation in the consistency of the stools : usually, small ball-shaped stools are observed.
5. You have gas and colic.

Now, what can be the possible causes of constipation in babies? Only by knowing what causes this problem can we combat it.

Causes of constipation in babies

Before going fully into talking about the causes of constipation in babies, it is important to note that usually the little ones fed with breastfeeding do not usually suffer from this problem. In fact, they usually defecate several times a day, even after each feeding. Their stools are usually liquid (or very soft), yellowish-orange in color.

1. Formula milk

Some children are susceptible to developing constipation in response to the proteins in formula milk. According to a study published by the Journal of Pediatrics :

The passage from breast milk to formula can also cause this discomfort. In the market it is possible to find formula milks indicated for mild constipation. Consult with your pediatrician to choose the milk that best suits your child’s needs.

2. Complementary feeding

Another cause of constipation in babies is the shift from exclusive breastfeeding to complementary feeding. The inclusion of new foods in the baby’s diet can cause constipation. Although it is true that during the first months babies do not usually eat large amounts of solid food.

Remember that the first foods to incorporate into your baby’s diet are vegetables and fruits. Follow the recommendations of your pediatrician to avoid discomforts such as constipation or complications such as food allergies.

3. Remove diapers, one of the causes of constipation in babies

According to this study published in the Pediatric Bulletin , some little ones may become constipated when it’s time to get out of diapers. Using the potty creates stress and even rejection in some babies. They can cause constipation by putting up with the urge to have a bowel movement because they don’t want to go to the potty.

4. Dehydration

When complementary feeding is started, water is offered to the baby. Some children are not prone to drinking water at first, and reducing their milk intake, especially in summer, can lead to dehydration.

If the baby does not ingest enough fluids, the stool can become hard and difficult to evacuate and, even, small wounds may appear in the anus (you will see traces of blood when cleaning).

5. Medical problems, another cause of constipation in babies

Let’s now look at the more serious causes of constipation in babies:

• Botulism : This disease is caused by the bacteria Clostridium botulinum and is life threatening. One of its symptoms is precisely constipation.
• Congenital hypothyroidism : the baby does not have a thyroid gland, it does not work well or is not sufficiently developed.
  
• Metabolic disorders : some hereditary diseases that occur with some type of immobility can be an indirect cause of constipation.
  
• Food allergies : an allergy is an exaggerated response of the body to what it considers an aggression. Symptoms can range from hard stools and difficulty having a bowel movement to diarrhea.
  
• Hirschsprung’s disease or congenital megacolon : This is a disease that affects the large intestine and hinders the ability to empty the intestines.

4 tips to soothe the baby

If your child is very upset and in pain or if you are very worried about him, do not hesitate and go to the pediatrician. He better than anyone will be able to give you the necessary recommendations to relieve your little one. However, here  are some tips that you can put into practice in a preventive way.

1. Massages

Massages in the baby’s gut  help improve intestinal transit, as this information from the Nursing Congress points out . Make circular movements with the palms of your hands on the baby’s tummy, gently but firmly, exerting slight pressure.

2. Encourage your child to exercise

If your baby can crawl already, let him do it. All kinds of movement and play with movement will help improve intestinal transit. You can even help him by moving his legs up and down, as if he were riding a bicycle.

3. Vegetables, fruits and fiber

In the event that you have started complementary feeding, include vegetables, fruits and fiber in your dishes while reducing the foods that can generate dry stools, such as banana or rice.

4. Offer enough fluids to avoid constipation in babies

Make sure your child drinks enough milk and water. Remember that if you don’t, your stool could become hard, which could make it difficult to pass.

In short, as you have seen, the causes of constipation in babies are highly variable and it can sometimes be difficult to detect the correct trigger. Do not hesitate to go to the doctor to achieve the proper diagnosis and obtain the treatment that best suits your child.