What Causes Constipation In Newborn
Constipation in newborns can be a worry for few parents.
I know that Poopy diapers are the worst, but what’s worse than that? Worrying about why your baby is not pooping at all for a few days when things are going smoothly.
Constipation in newborns can be very painful for newborn.
While you go over all the likely causes, one thing to keep in mind in between this struggle is their food, especially if you’ve just started them on formula or any recent change in your baby’s diet.
Constipation is a common concern for new parents, who fear that their infant will become dehydrated and dehydrated. However, it is common for some babies to go several days between bowel movements, which is usually not a big deal.
Constipation In Newborn Babies
How hard or soft your baby’s poop is will be determined by what they are fed. It also changes as your baby’s digestive system matures and solids are introduced into their diet.
To begin with, the feces of babies fed with breast milk are very loose and watery.
A gradual change in the consistency and frequency of their bowel movements occurs. The amount of poop that breastfed babies produce can also vary widely.
Every baby is different; some breastfed infants poop multiple times each day, while others poop once or twice per week.
Infants who are fed formula may have yellow-green or light brown bowel movements. In addition, their bowel motions may be more challenging and more paste-like than a breastfed baby’s.
There can be a change in the frequency and consistency of poop even after introducing solids in infants, which is usually followed around six months.
Signs Of Constipation In Newborn
- Fussy and irritable while passing stools.
- Hard and dry stools.
- Small pebble-like or large wide stools.
- Abdominal pain
- Bloated stomach
- Tight belly
- Blood present along with stools
- Red face, crying, and arch abdomen while crying.
- Moving their body in unique positions or clenching their buttocks.
Reasons For Constipation In Newborn
The causes of constipation in breastfed babies are distinct from those in formula-fed or solid-eating infants.
1. Formula Feed
Constipation in a newborn on an all-liquid diet is rare, but it can happen. When babies are solely given formula, they are more prone to constipation issues. Compared to breast milk, formula milk is notable in firming up feces.
2. Cow’s Milk Protein Allergy
We have found that chronic constipation in babies can be linked to the consumption of cow’s milk. The occurrence of milk protein allergy in constipated babies has been estimated at up to 80%.
Some of the most common reactions to cow’s milk include stomach discomfort, diarrhea or constipation, and sometimes vomiting.
Babies who are hypersensitive to the proteins in cow’s milk are more likely to experience constipation as a side effect.
3. Introduction To The Solids
A few days of constipation are usual during the first few days of weaning, as the baby’s digestive system takes time to adjust to digesting solid foods.
However, once their digestive system becomes accustomed to the regular consumption of solid food, this usually subsides.
I often see constipation in babies as their stomachs can only hold so much food and fluid; thus, babies are more susceptible to dehydration than adults.
4. Low Intake Of Liquids
Dehydration often causes chronic constipation. If your baby doesn’t have enough water in your body, your large intestine absorbs water from the waste products of your food and causes constipation.
5. Rice Cereal
Rice cereal can cause constipation in some babies as it has a low fiber content.
6. Banana
A lot of starch in unripe or under-ripe green bananas can cause constipation; hence it is difficult for the baby’s body to break it down.
Unfortunately, they can also cause your baby’s digestion to become sluggish, resulting in less frequent defecation.
7. Low Fiber Diet
Constipation can occur when a baby eats solid food. This is because their new diet lacks fiber and makes the passage of stools harder for babies.
Fibers add bulk to the stools and aid the smooth movement.
8. Medical Conditions
In rare cases, medical conditions like an anomaly in the digestive tract can induce constipation.
Home Remedies For Constipation In Newborn.
1. Switching Formula
Your baby’s intolerance to some components in the previous formula may have resulted in constipation; switching their formula may make a difference in their poop.
After replacing your baby’s formula, it’s also vital to note that the adjustments won’t take place immediately. One to two weeks may be required to adjust to a new formula and get rid of the baby’s problems.
2. Replace Cereals
Babies who eat rice cereal may become constipated. Therefore, making a move to oatmeal, whole wheat, or barley cereals may prove beneficial.
Oatmeal helps prevent constipation because of its high fiber content and acts as a natural laxative. In addition, by adding bulk to the baby’s poop, the fiber in oatmeal helps with constipation.
3. Exercise
Make a pedaling motion with your baby’s legs, as if they were riding a bicycle.
Massage the baby’s abdomen below the navel will relieve them from discomfort.
4. Warm Bath
A warm bath to your bath may relax their abdominal muscles and ease their pain.
5. Dietary Changes
As each infant is unique, so is their bowel movement pattern. So when introducing new foods to your kid, please stick to one kind at a time, whether it’s solids or liquids.
Allow the baby’s digestive system time to adjust to the new food before introducing more. Your baby may need some to get accustomed to the new food introduced.
Your baby’s bowel movements may become unpredictable if you feed them a variety of foods at the same time.
Constipation in certain babies can be caused by consuming rice cereals, dairy products, yogurt, and milk. In addition, potatoes, bananas, applesauce, cereals, and bread can all induce or aggravate constipation in babies under a year old.
Can ease the baby’s discomfort by switching to a diet with whole wheat or multigrain cereals, as well as a fruit puree and fruit juices.
6. Hydration
Constipation can result from dehydration. A breastfed baby can usually drink more milk if they’re a little dehydrated or constipated.
Water can be administered to formula-fed newborns suffering from dehydration and constipation.
It is common for infants to develop constipation when eating solid foods. Make easy dietary modifications like giving your baby a minimal amount of water or juice every day to help relieve constipation.
7. Massage
A simple abdominal massage can help reduce the pain and discomfort your infant is experiencing from colic or constipation.
Make clockwise circular strokes with the fingertip on the tummy. Moving the fingers in a clockwise direction around the navel. Kneeling down and gently pressing the baby’s feet toward the stomach.
8. Fruit Juices
Consider making simple dietary changes if your infant is constipated.
Fruit juice is an alternative to the typical feedings; give your baby apple, prune, or pear juice. The juice has natural sugar, which behaves as a natural laxative.
Avoid acidic fruits like orange, grapefruit, kiwi, pineapple, and almost all berries because they can upset your baby’s sensitive stomach and are seen to cause allergy in a few babies.
9. Switching Milk
It’s possible to experience constipation or loose, watery stools because of changing formula or switching to cow’s milk. But, most of the time, this is just a phase-in period while your baby’s stomach adjusts to the new formula.
Constipation may occur when you switch from breast milk or formula to whole cow’s milk in a baby. In addition, when your kid eats solid food, constipation may also occur.
If your child enjoys milk, consider switching them to soy milk, which has been shown to soften stools.
10. Pureed Food
Fiber, sorbitol, and fructose in prunes and prune juice are well-known for their laxative properties. Occasionally constipated babies may benefit from taking them as a relief. Prunes can have a laxative effect on a baby’s developing digestive tract.
11. High Fiber Diet
Dietary fiber significantly assists digestion. Colon cells require fiber as a source of energy to stay strong and healthy. Fiber also aids digestion by promoting regularity and softness in bowel motions.
Your stool becomes heavier and softer because of eating a diet rich in dietary fiber. Constipation is less likely to occur if your stool is bulk and easy to pass. Fiber absorbs water, increases stool volume, and promotes regularity in the bowels.
Milk Protein
The casein and whey proteins present in milk are the two most abundant proteins.
Breastmilk contains a higher concentration of whey proteins, whereas formula milk contains more casein.
Can Breast-Fed Babies Get Constipation
Breast milk is easily digestible by infants. In addition, it’s a natural laxative. As a result, constipation is highly infrequent in only breastfed babies. Even so, it doesn’t rule out the possibility of it.
There is more whey in breast milk, which is simpler to digest; hence babies digest it faster than casein, which is the crucial ingredient in formula feed.
Can Formula Milk Causes Constipation In Newborns
Formula-fed babies are more likely to suffer constipation because formula might be more challenging to digest than breast milk.
Constipation is not unusual when your baby’s digestive system adjusts to formula after shifting from breastmilk.
Formula milk is thicker and contains a higher concentration of proteins that can be harder to digest. Because of these changes, constipation is more prone to occur.
Bottom Line
Not all babies are created equal. As a result, what works for one baby may not be effective for another. The information provided in this article is intended to be generic, considering the overall picture of constipation in newborns. If your baby’s constipation continues to cause them significant discomfort, please visit your doctor for more guidance.