Patient's question:
What is the reason why the baby doesn't have a bowel movement? It has been several days without a bowel movement, and the stool is not dry either. Lately, the baby hasn't been eating much either.Past treatment and effectiveness: No treatment has been administered.
What assistance is needed: What is the matter? How should it be treated?
Doctor's answer:
The main reason for a baby's dry bowel movements is primarily due to slow activity of the large intestine and excessive water absorption. There may be several contributing factors: insufficient dietary intake, inadequate sugar content in the diet, which can lead to fewer residues after absorption and reduced bowel movement volume. If the diet contains too much protein, it can make the stool alkaline and dry. A diet high in calcium can also cause constipation, such as when cow's milk, which has more calcium than human milk, increases the likelihood of constipation compared to breastfeeding. The fiber in vegetables can stimulate intestinal peristalsis, forcing bowel movements. It is best to avoid using laxatives or other medications to promote defecation, as this can lead to rejection. If the baby does not have a bowel movement for two or three days, one may consider using a single dose of glycerin suppository to eliminate accumulated stool.