Constipation in the baby. Komarovsky E.O. about constipation in infants during breastfeeding, artificial feeding and with the introduction of complementary foods

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

Such a problem as constipation occurs frequently in infants. Not all parents know how to behave in this case. The well-known children's doctor E. O Komarovsky recommends that young mothers not worry, but carefully monitor the condition of the child. Before taking any measures, you need to know exactly what symptoms accompany constipation in infants. Komarovsky believes that not always with a rare bowel movement, the baby should be treated. In most cases, it is enough to adjust the nutrition and daily routine of the child. This is what Dr. Komarovsky teaches young parents.

Constipation in infants

In medicine, it is believed that a baby up to three months should empty the intestines two to four times a day. And constipation is a condition when there is no feces for more than two days. But here everything is individual. Sometimes it happens that a breastfed baby completely assimilates mother's milk. And he has a bowel movement every 3-5 days. Beforepanic and give the baby medication, the mother needs to find out what symptoms accompany constipation in the baby. Komarovsky says that if the baby develops well and gains weight, is cheerful and sleeps normally, and bowel movements do not cause him discomfort, then a rare stool is normal. You can talk about the disease when, in addition to constipation, the child has other symptoms: gas formation, pain, bloating, loss of appetite. In addition, it is very important to pay attention to the condition of the feces. In infants, it should be mushy, soft, yellowish. If the child has constipation, his feces will be dark in color, with an unpleasant odor, hard.

Constipation symptoms

When should parents take action? It is considered that the child has constipation if the following symptoms are observed:

• feces too hard, shaped or pea-shaped;
• the smell of stool is putrid;
• when trying to poop, the baby is very pushing, straining;
• baby kicks legs, grunts and cries;
• baby belly hard and bloated;
• baby's appetite disappears;
• he has a chair less than once every 3 days.

Causes of constipation

Only a doctor can determine if a child is sick or if this bowel movement is normal for him. Therefore, for any deviations in the behavior of the baby, you need to contact the pediatrician. After all, before treating a baby, you need to know whatcaused his constipation. This condition can be triggered by many factors:

• pathologies of intestinal development, such as Hirschsprung disease;
• various inflammatory and infectious diseases, colds;
• violation of the intestinal microflora;
• taking certain medications, especially antibiotics;
• an allergic reaction to cow's milk and some other foods.

In such cases, only a doctor can treat constipation in infants. Komarovsky advises mothers to take some measures on their own if rare emptying is caused by other reasons:

• lack of breast milk, with the so-called "hungry" constipation;
• mom's wrong diet, because everything a woman eats goes into her milk;
• lack of water, which helps to remove feces;
• switching from breastfeeding to artificial feeding, since up to 4 months mother's milk not only feeds the baby, but also protects against diseases;
• the introduction of complementary foods, in which case the child's intestines may react to unfamiliar food with constipation;
• changing milk formula, which may contain a component intolerable to the baby;
• overheating the baby with too warm and dry air, which causes dehydration;
• stress and anxiety of the baby due to the change of scenery, his fear when he is left alone.

Normal stool in newborns

Afterbirth, for some time, the work of all the organs of the child is getting better. In the first three days, the baby comes out with black-green plasticine-like feces - meconium. Then, up to a month and a half, the baby poops as many times as he eats - 8-12. His stools are mushy, yellowish in color, with a sour smell. But before 3 or 4 months, the child has not yet fully formed the functions of the intestines, many enzymes and beneficial bacteria are missing. Therefore, constipation in a newborn often occurs at this time. Komarovsky urges parents not to panic, but to try to improve the nutrition of a nursing mother or consult a doctor about choosing a formula. Normally, a breastfed baby should poop 4-5 times a day. And in artificial people, bowel movements happen less often - 1-2 times. Moreover, the feces should be soft, mushy.

Constipation in a breastfeeding baby

A baby who eats mother's milk may not poop for up to 3-4 days. This is considered normal if the baby is not bothered by anything, if he is cheerful and cheerful, sleeps well and gains weight. This means that breast milk suits him and is well absorbed. Only in rare cases does a real constipation appear in a baby during breastfeeding. Komarovsky believes that measures should be taken if the baby is not gaining weight, is restless and cries. But before using any medication, be sure to consult your doctor. In most cases, the problem can be solved simply by changing mom's diet.

What rules should a woman follow to have a regular bowel movement?

• you need to drink at least 2 liters of water, it will help stimulate intestinal motility;
• eat prunes, dried apricots, raisins and beets regularly;
• the daily menu should include buckwheat or oatmeal, pumpkin, apricots, plums and fermented milk products;
• must be excluded from the diet of coffee, tea, chocolate, smoked meats, fatty and spicy foods;
• restrict rice, beans, potatoes, fresh milk, walnuts and baked goods.

But even if the mother follows all the rules, sometimes there is constipation in the baby during breastfeeding. Komarovsky believes that this is due to lack of water. He recommends in hot weather to supplement the baby with clean water or a decoction of raisins. But it is undesirable to use a bottle with a nipple for this, so that the baby does not get used to it. You can give a child water from a spoon or a special drinker, and you can give a baby some water from a syringe without a needle.

Constipation in a bottle-fed baby

If breastfeeding mothers rarely face real problems in emptying the baby's intestines, then this happens more often with artificial babies. What to do to prevent constipation in a bottle-fed baby? Komarovsky recommends following these rules:

• you need to dilute the mixture strictly according to the instructions, you can not make it more concentrated;
• be sure to give the baby water, you can add a few drops of dill seed decoction;
• if you have constipationchildren happen often, it is necessary to change the mixture, choosing the one in which there are lactobacilli.

Constipation after weaning

Komarovsky recommends to feed the baby only with breast milk until 4-5 months. If the mother has enough of it, then the baby will receive everything he needs. Very often there is constipation in infants with the introduction of complementary foods. Komarovsky advises that to prevent this, start not with egg yolk or fruit juices, but with vegetable puree or dairy-free porridge. After a while, the baby's diet needs to be diversified so that he receives a sufficient amount of dietary fiber. Therefore, vegetable soups and mashed potatoes, cereals, especially not ready-made, but made by mother, are very important in the diet of children. After 7-8 months, wholemeal bread, fresh fruits and vegetables should be given to the baby.

Sometimes it happens that there is constipation in the baby after the introduction of complementary foods. Komarovsky advises in this case to give the child juice or puree of prunes, pumpkin, raisin decoction. It is advisable to include these foods in the diet if the baby is already 6 months old. Food for the child should be prepared immediately before use, it is undesirable to boil it well. By following these rules, constipation in babies can be prevented.

What to do

Komarovsky gives some advice on how to help the baby. After all, it is not always possible to immediately consult a doctor. But every mother is able to alleviate the condition of the child. And only if these measures do not help, be sure to contact a medicalinstitution. So, what to do if the baby has constipation? Komarovsky recommends the following methods:

• make a massage to the baby, gently moving a warm hand along the baby's tummy clockwise;
• helps activate bowel function exercise "bike": you need to take the child's legs and gently bend them alternately at least 10 times;



• you can put a diaper heated with an iron on the baby's tummy;
• help baby relax with a warm bath;
• doctor considers glycerin suppositories to be an effective remedy for constipation;
• As a last resort, you can give your child a laxative medicine prescribed by a doctor.

Need to call an ambulance or see a doctor as soon as possible if the child has the following symptoms:

• abdominal pain, gas, bloating;
• loss of appetite, refusal to eat;
• blood impurities appear in the feces;
• vomiting frequently;
• baby's feces and urine are dark and smelly.

What drugs can be used for constipation in infants

It is not recommended to give babies any medication without consulting a doctor. Even the safest drugs that are approved for use from birth can harm the unformed intestinal microflora of a child. Therefore, only in extreme cases is it recommended to use medicines to cure constipation in infants.

• It is best to use preparations containing lactulose. Exactly thissafe laxative. Lactulose syrup is a prebiotic. It stimulates the production of beneficial bacteria in the intestines and helps to expel feces. Such preparations containing lactulose are recommended: "Duphalac", "Normaze", "Portalac", "Lizalak" and some others. For starters, it is best to give these drugs in a reduced dosage. And if you need long-term use, be sure to consult your doctor.
• To reduce gas formation in the intestines, doctors prescribe the following drugs for babies: Espumizan, Plantex or Sub-Simplex. They help relieve cramps and gently expel gas, relieving bloating.
• Komarovsky considers glycerin suppositories to be the best remedy for constipation in infants. Children's on sale are very rare, but you can use the usual ones. One candle needs to be cut lengthwise in half, and then across. You get four parts. With one piece of candle, with clean hands, you need to smooth out all the edges and gently insert into the baby's anus. Gently pinch his buttocks and hold a little. Such a candle will help soften the feces and gently bring them out.

How to give an enema to a baby

Many believe that this is the only way to treat constipation in infants. Komarovsky also recommends using an enema only in extreme cases. Their frequent use washes away beneficial bacteria from the intestines and weakens its tone. How to do an enema for a baby?

1. Take a rubber bulb with a soft tip, it should be up to 60 ml.
2. Usually, a decoction of chamomile is used for babies. It must be at room temperature. Too warm water will immediately be absorbed through the walls of the intestine.
3. Lay baby on side or back. Lubricate the anus and enema tip with baby cream.
4. Squeeze the pear a little to remove air from it. Gently insert the tip no more than a couple of centimeters into the child's intestines. If resistance is felt, do not push.
5. Release the water slowly, do not use force. The process of bowel contraction takes place in waves, so if you feel resistance, you need to wait a bit. Pull out the enema.
6. Squeeze the baby's buttocks and hold for a couple of minutes.

But more convenient to use and safer for the child are ready-made microclysters, which are sold in pharmacies. For example, you can purchase Microlax. But do not do them often to prevent addiction.

Folk remedies for constipation

Many mothers try to help their child with recipes that were used by their grandmothers. They push a piece of soap, a cotton swab lubricated with petroleum jelly or a thermometer into the anus to the baby. So before, constipation in an infant was often treated. Komarovsky warns parents against using such funds. He thinks it's child abuse. In addition, such drugs can injure the mucous membrane, cause irritation in the anus and further aggravate the problem.

From folk remedies, the doctor prefers decoctions that help remove gases. The best thingbrew dill seed, anise or fennel. Komarovsky considers a decoction of raisins to be very useful. In addition to a laxative effect, this drink enriches the body with potassium, which is very important for the normal functioning of the intestines. There is a greater choice of funds if the baby is constipated for 6 months. Komarovsky recommends giving the baby juice, decoction or mashed prunes, including foods rich in fiber in the diet.

Prevention of constipation

Everyone knows that preventing a problem is better than looking for ways to deal with it. Dr. Komarovsky talks a lot about constipation in infants, but the main thing he focuses on is the need to establish proper nutrition for the baby. What should be done to prevent constipation?

• A bottle-fed baby should get enough water.
• If the baby is breastfed, then mom needs to drink at least 2 liters of fluid and eat foods rich in potassium.
• Put the baby on the tummy more often, ideally every time before feeding for 5 minutes.
• Regularly do gymnastics with the child: raise his legs, bend them at the knees, exercises on the gymnastic ball are useful.
• You need to give the baby a light massage of the tummy, it helps relieve muscle spasms and reduce gas formation.
• Don't let your baby overheat.
• Food for babies who are already on complementary foods should not be highly cooked and very bland.

You need to treat constipation in babies on your own only if it is the only onesymptom. And when the baby experiences pain in the abdomen, he has increased gas production and no appetite, you need to urgently see a doctor.