Patient's question:
Patient: MaleInfant: 1 month old
Current condition:
Difficulty sleeping, face flushed red, straining, restless, looks 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 pay attention to 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 them to cry. In this case, you can first try giving some juice or diluting the milk. If the constipation does not improve, you should take the baby to see a doctor. It is dangerous to use enemas too frequently, as it can make the baby dependent on them for bowel movements, requiring enemas to defecate. Therefore, it is safer to follow the doctor's instructions in this regard.