What is the reason for your face turning bright red and straining?

Patient's question:

Patient: Male
Infant: 1 month old
Current condition:
Difficulty sleeping, face flushed red, straining, restless, appears very uncomfortable
Abdomen very bloated, umbilicus very large

Doctor's answer:

Newborns should have four to five bowel movements per day, but if they are breastfed or fed with specially prepared formula, the frequency may be slightly lower. It is important to observe the shape of the stool; normal stool should be soft. Constipation refers to the absence of stool or a sudden significant decrease in bowel movement frequency. At the same time, the stool becomes very hard, making it difficult for the baby to defecate, causing the baby to cry. In such cases, you can first try giving some juice or diluting the milk slightly. If the constipation does not improve, it is advisable to take the baby to see a doctor. Overuse of enemas is dangerous and can make the baby dependent on them, requiring enemas for bowel movements. Therefore, it is safer to follow the doctor's instructions in this regard.