Patient's question:
The baby is five and a half months old. Due to insufficient breast milk, we have switched to formula milk now, occasionally adding some breast milk. However, the baby's bowel movements are not normal now—there are 5 to 6 bowel movements a day, and the stools are very dry. Each time the baby strains very hard to have a bowel movement, drawing in air with great effort, looking very uncomfortable. The baby is also eating nearly one yolk of egg as a. I would like to ask everyone how to reasonably feed the baby so that the bowel movements are regular and nutritious.Follow-up question: Dr. Li, I would like to ask if 5 to 6 bowel movements a day, whether dry or loose, count as diarrhea? Is that correct?
Can I add some mountain chestnut paste?
Doctor's answer:
Hello: Children who drink milk often suffer from constipation, experiencing great pain each time they defecate, with some even tearing their anuses. The children cry and refuse to poop, causing parents great distress. How can this situation be avoided? You can try the following methods:(1) Add a moderate amount of sugar to the milk—10 grams of white sugar for every 100 milliliters of milk.
(2) Give the child some honey water.
(3) Pay attention to providing vitamin-rich supplementary foods such as fresh fruit juice, vegetable water, and apple puree.
If the child struggles very hard to defecate and finds it difficult to pass stool, you can cut a bar of soap or use a glycerin suppository. If it still doesn’t work, use infant glycerin suppositories or seek medical attention at the hospital. Never give laxatives to children without consulting a doctor.
Children who frequently suffer from constipation should, in addition to dietary adjustments, also persist in doing exercises to strengthen their abdominal muscles, which will help with defecation.