Constipation in artificially fed babies
Babies who are fed artificially are more prone to constipation than those who are breastfed. Because formula is milk-based, its milk molecules are larger than breast milk molecules and contain casein, so it tends to cause dry stools in babies. The solution is: feed your baby more water, plain water, orange juice, honey water. For breast milk to milk babies, the initial milk should be slightly watered down, so that the baby’s stomach and intestines have a gradual process of adaptation.
The baby is prone to constipation at the beginning of the complementary food addition
It is normal for babies to experience mild constipation after they start adding complementary foods. This is usually due to the low fiber content in the first cereal (rice flour) that babies start eating during the transition phase of complementary foods, which can easily lead to constipation. Sometimes, adding complementary foods too quickly or too much can also cause the baby’s intestinal tract does not adapt to the constipation.
Inadequate diet or unreasonable diet
When the baby eats too little, the residue of liquid absorption after digestion is small, so the stool is reduced and thickened. When the amount of sugar in milk is not enough, intestinal peristalsis is weak, which can make the stool dry. Inadequate diet for a longer period of time causes malnutrition, reduced tone of the abdominal and intestinal muscles, or even atrophy, weakened contraction, forming a vicious circle, aggravating constipation.
Insufficient intake of water causes constipation in babies
Generally small babies do not become constipated, if constipation, the cause is mostly related to insufficient water intake. If your baby does not get enough water, he may become dehydrated. At this time, his body will absorb as much water as possible from what he eats and drinks, including “recycling” water from the waste in his intestines, resulting in dry and hard stools that are not easy to pull out.
Irregular life causes constipation in babies
Some babies usually have irregular bowel movements and do not develop the habit of regular bowel movements. There are also children who are constipated due to the change of environment or routine. Sometimes, although the feeling of defecation, but often due to playfulness and conscious suppression of bowel movements. Over time, this will make the bowel reflex less sensitive, resulting in the accumulation of stool in the intestine, so that more water is absorbed, and the stool becomes dry and not easy to discharge.
Low exercise causes constipation in babies
Some babies, especially fat babies, usually do not like to exercise, lack of physical activity, long-term non-exercise will make the abdominal muscle weakness, intestinal peristalsis reduced, which will also lead to constipation. Irregular life and lack of regular bowel training, not formed the conditioned reflex of defecation cause constipation is also very common.
Some diseases can also cause constipation in babies
Constipation in babies can also be caused by diseases (such as hypothyroidism), metabolic disorders, food allergies or botulism (usually botulism that may be contained in salami, canned foods, etc.). If your baby has hard stools and painful bowel movements, you’d better take him to the doctor to confirm the diagnosis.
Medications cause constipation in babies
Excessive calcium and vitamin D supplements can also cause constipation in babies. This is because free elemental calcium can very easily combine with food residues in the intestine such as oxalic acid, phytic acid, phosphoric acid and fat. The formation of insoluble harder substances makes it difficult for babies to pass out causing constipation.
Imbalance of intestinal flora causes constipation in babies
Imbalance of intestinal flora is the most fundamental cause of constipation in babies. If you take sufficient amount of probiotics through obabyl every day, it can not only suppress the production of harmful flora in the intestine, but also provide a good growth environment for the beneficial bacteria in the intestine, creating a healthy intestine and helping your baby to improve constipation.
Physical and physiological abnormalities
Physical and physiological abnormalities in babies mainly refer to, for example, anal fissure, anal stenosis, congenital megacolon, thyroid insufficiency, spina bifida or tumor compressing cauda equina, etc. can cause constipation. Anal fingering, lower spine and perineal examination should be performed. Some children are born with constipation, and if there is a family history, it may be related to genetics.