A headache for a mother when a baby has not had a bowel movement for several days. The baby’s health is deteriorating, he eats poorly, cries, and his tummy is hard and painful. How can parents understand that they are faced with constipation in newborn baby? Why do infants have intestinal problems? And how can the baby’s condition be alleviated?
Features of infant digestion
Babies under one year often experience symptoms of discomfort in the digestive tract. A baby may have a tummy ache, cramps, bloating, colic, and stool problems.
As pediatric gastroenterologists explain, mothers should not be afraid. During the development of the gastrointestinal tract in children, complex connections are formed between the immune, nervous and endocrine systems, as well as the intestines. The immaturity of these systems leads to temporary functional disorders in the digestive tract that are not associated with pathology.
What is constipation in newborn?
Constipation in a newborn is a common problem for children under one year old. Babies may experience delayed bowel movements or insufficient stool volume, which is accompanied by painful sensations in the baby.
If the baby cannot go to the toilet for 3 days or more, the doctor diagnoses “constipation in a newborn”. Sometimes it can go up to 5-7 days, during which the diaper is clean. This condition requires the help of a doctor.
Symptoms of constipation in a newborn:
- absence of stool for a long time;
- dense, thick stool;
- abdominal pain, bloating, rumbling;
- bloated, painful abdomen;
- weakness, fatigue;
- loss of appetite;
- restless behavior, frequent crying, sleep disturbances;
- recurrence of these symptoms for several weeks in a row.
Constipation in newborn on breastfeeding and formula feeding – is there a difference?
The recommendations that the frequency of bowel movements in infants who are breastfed can coincide with the number of feedings – up to 6 times a day. Over time, it decreases. When complementary feeding is introduced, the baby goes to the toilet 2-4 times a day. The stool of a breastfed infant is light yellow, uniform, mushy.
In case of systematic problems with the intestines, especially if the intervals between bowel movements are more than 2 days, and the regularity of the stool is disturbed, it is possible that this is constipation in a breastfed newborn.
Formula-fed babies poop one to three times a day in the first months. The baby’s stool is darker in color than that of a breastfed baby, and has a denser consistency. With age, the number of dirty diapers decreases to 1-2 per day. If the baby does not go to the toilet for more than two or three days, bowel movements are painful, and there is no regular stool, the doctor will diagnose “constipation in a formula-fed newborn.”
In addition, the mother should be alerted if the baby, although he goes to the toilet regularly, but every time defecation causes discomfort, painful sensations, and the stool is thick and dense. Most likely, this is also constipation in a newborn.
For feeding babies suffering from constipation, but not requiring therapeutic nutrition, we recommend choosing infant formulas based on goat’s milk. Infant formulas are enriched with a unique fat complex DigestX®, which has many beneficial properties. Clinical studies have shown that DigestX® helps soften stool, facilitates the digestion process and reduces the tendency to constipation. In addition, it increases energy metabolism and promotes better absorption of calcium, which is extremely important for the health and full development of the baby’s skeletal system.
Causes of constipation in a newborn baby
Constipation in a newborn may be associated with a functional disorder, disease, or developmental defect. But, according to experts, this problem is often caused by a malfunction of the gastrointestinal tract, rather than a chronic pathology or anatomical defect.
7 main functional causes of constipation in newborns:
- the nursing mother does not adhere to a balanced diet;
- a bottle-fed baby does not drink enough;
- the mother switched the baby from breastfeeding to mixed or artificial feeding too early;
- the baby was transferred from one formula to another;
- the baby has an imbalance in the intestinal microflora;
- there is a food allergy that leads to inflammatory processes in the intestinal walls;
- the baby recently had an acute intestinal infection and other causes of constipation in a newborn.
Constipation in a newborn and grunting baby syndrome – how to tell the difference?
Pediatric gastroenterologists distinguish two forms of functional disorders in infants that mothers should differentiate: difficulty defecating in infants (infant dyschezia) and functional constipation in newborns.
The cause of dyschezia, or grunting baby syndrome, is the baby’s temporary inability to coordinate the abdominal and pelvic floor muscles. This is caused by the immaturity of the nervous system and gastrointestinal tract. Many mothers observe little grunters: the baby strains, turns red and cries for several minutes, then goes to the toilet and immediately calms down. At the same time, the consistency of the stool is normal, as usual for infants – soft or semi-liquid. When constipated, the stool of a newborn is dense and hard.
According to pediatricians, grunting baby syndrome is observed in babies in the first months of life. This condition does not require treatment and usually passes by 6 months.
What to do if a newborn is constipated?
In case of constipation in a newborn on breastfeeding, doctors recommend to establish the feeding regimen of the nursing mother, as well as to adjust the frequency and volume of feedings. In case of constipation in a newborn on artificial feeding, it is recommended to change the formula. To do this, it is worth consulting a pediatrician. Since breastfeeding is the optimal way of feeding babies, the recommends, especially in the first 6 months, to feed the baby with mother’s milk whenever possible.
In case of stool disturbance, bloating and colic, the mother can ease the baby’s condition with the help of a gas-relief tube.
The tube has a safe and well-thought-out design:
- a special limiter prevents the catheter from being inserted deeper than it should be;
- the rounded tip does not injure the intestinal mucosa and will not cause discomfort to the baby;
- The ribbed body fits comfortably in the hand and prevents slipping.
When a newborn is constipated, it helps to lay the baby on his stomach and gently massage the tummy. Stroking movements are also performed before using a gas tube – this will facilitate the release of gases and relieve spasms. Remember that only a specialist can recommend any medications and procedures.
How to relieve constipation in newborn babies quickly
Constipation in newborn babies can be distressing for both the infant and the parents. If your newborn hasn’t had a bowel movement in a couple of days or is straining with hard stools, there are gentle and effective ways to provide fast relief.
1. Tummy Massage: Gently massaging your baby’s abdomen in a clockwise motion can stimulate bowel movement. A few minutes of soft pressure below the belly button often helps relieve discomfort.
2. Warm Bath: A soothing warm bath can relax your baby’s abdominal muscles, which may trigger a bowel movement. It’s also a comforting way to ease tension and support digestion naturally.
3. Bicycle Legs Exercise: Lay your baby on their back and gently move their legs in a pedaling motion. This activity promotes intestinal movement and can quickly alleviate gas and constipation.
4. Check Baby’s Formula: Some formulas may cause firmer stools. Talk to your pediatrician about switching to a gentler formula if constipation persists.
5. Hydration and Feeding: For formula-fed babies, ensure proper hydration. If your newborn is older than a few weeks, your doctor might recommend a tiny amount of water or fruit juice to help soften stools—only under supervision.
Always consult a pediatrician before making changes to your baby’s feeding or routine, especially if constipation lasts more than a few days or is accompanied by other symptoms.
Conclusions for mom
Pediatricians regularly encounter complaints from mothers about intestinal disorders, problems with stool, bloating and colic in babies. Constipation in a newborn is a common occurrence. This problem is in most cases associated with the immaturity of the digestive and nervous systems, which is temporary and not caused by illness.
If you are unable to cope with constipation in a newborn on your own, consult a pediatrician. This is especially important if the baby’s condition has worsened, he is not gaining weight, his activity is reduced, the baby cries often. The doctor will find out the cause, prescribe treatment, and everything will get better!
