Patient's question:
My child has not had a single bowel movement since birth until now. The doctor said it was normal and nothing to worry about, but now I really feel it's not normal. Could you please tell me what newborn constipation is like?Doctor's answer:
Main symptoms of constipation: If an infant's diet is too limited, there will be less residue after digestion, naturally resulting in fewer bowel movements. Insufficient sugar content in milk can make the stool dry. If the diet is inadequate for a long time, it can lead to malnutrition, weakening of abdominal and intestinal muscles, and the inability to expel stool, which may result in persistent constipation. The nature of the stool is related to the food components. If the food contains a high amount of protein but lacks carbohydrates (sugar and starch), the stool will be dry and bowel movements will be infrequent. If the food contains more carbohydrates, bowel movements will increase and the stool will be soft and loose. If the food is high in both fat and carbohydrates, the stool will be lubricated. Certain refined foods lack fiber and can easily cause constipation after consumption.