Constipation

Constipation happens when stools are abnormally hard and infrequent, causing pain when your child is having a bowel movement. Large or hard bowel movements unaccompanied by pain are normal. Babies less than 6 months of age commonly grunt, push, strain, draw up their legs and become flushed in the face during passage of bowel movements. However, they shouldn't cry. You can help your straining baby by holding the knees against the chest to give them something to push against. Between 4 and 7 weeks of age, your baby will go through a normal bowel pattern change. They might change from having a bowel movement 4 times a day to one bowel movement every 4 days. This too is normal as long as the stool stays soft.

Constipation is usually relieved with dietary changes. If your child is eating solid foods, increase foods high in fiber. This includes fruits and vegetables like prunes, apricots, raisins, plums, peas, celery, broccoli and beans. Increase bran and whole grains like bran flakes, bran muffins, shredded wheat, graham crackers, oatmeal, brown rice and whole wheat bread. Limit bananas, cheese, white bread and potatoes.

If your child is under 1 year of age give daily, one ounce of water per month of age up to a total of 6 ounces each day. Give 2 ounces of a 50/50 blend of water and fruit juice (apple, white grape and pear) each day. If your child is older, increase their water consumption to 4-5 glasses per day. Also you may give apple and/or prune juice twice a day.

To relieve constipation in your infant, you can stimulate the urge to push by inserting a rectal thermometer or a Q-tip coated in Vaseline or K-Y jelly. Gently insert into rectum 1/4 of an inch and run it around the ring of the rectum in a circular motion for up to 5 minutes.

Call our office if:

• your child gets cramps or pain that lasts over 2 hours
• your child doesn't have a bowel movement in 3 days after a change in diet
• your child has blood in the stool
• your child begins to vomit or run a fever
• before you give any laxatives, enemas, or suppositories

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