Patient's question:
A 40-day-old baby hasn't had a bowel movement for three days. Is this normal? If it's not normal, what should be done?Doctor's answer:
Hello: The child's condition is constipation. What are the specific symptoms the child is currently experiencing? Please describe them in detail, okay? Children who drink milk often suffer from constipation, and each bowel movement is very painful. Some may even tear their anuses. As a result, the child cries and refuses to defecate, causing the parents great anxiety. How can this situation be avoided? You can try the following methods: (1) Add appropriate amounts of sugar to the milk, such as 10 grams of white sugar in 100 milliliters of milk. (2) Give the child some honey water. (3) Pay attention to feeding the child high-vitamin supplementary foods such as fresh juice, vegetable water, and apple puree.If the child finds it extremely difficult to defecate and struggles to pass stool, you can cut a bar of soap or use a glycerin suppository to insert into the anus. If it still doesn’t work, use infant glycerin suppositories or seek medical attention at the hospital. Never give laxatives to children casually.
Children who frequently suffer from constipation should not only adjust their diet but also persist in doing exercises to strengthen their abdominal muscles, which is beneficial for defecation.