Constipation is one of the common health problems in infants, especially in the infants who are not breast fed. Read on know how to find if your baby is constipated and what to do when baby is constipated.

It becomes very difficult to tackle with health problems in infants. This is mainly because they cannot tell you exactly what discomfort they are facing. The infant has only one way to convey its discomfort and that is to cry. There can be many reasons behind the child crying. It is not easy to make out.

When it comes to bowel movement of an infant, there is no hard and fast rule or an ideal number. It completely depends on the baby and his digestion process. In fact, the mother also comes to know about the schedule few days after the birth. If you want to tune it come habit, you will have to wait for some time and it can only happen with regular practice.

Clues to Understand that Baby is Constipated

• There is less bowel movement than is normal for the child. You need to know the bowel movement of your child.

• If your child did not pass stool in last 2 or more days. This means your child is definitely constipated. 

• Your child seems to be uncomfortable.

• If your baby has hard and dry stool even if he has a few number of stools daily.
  

• If there is liquid stool seen in the diaper, do not conclude it to be diarrhea. Sometimes they pass out even when the child is facing constipation.

Reasons Behind Newborn’s Constipation

Formula Milk – Infants who are breastfed usually do not face constipation problem. This is mainly because this milk is perfectly balanced and has right amount of fat and protein. If the child is fed with formula milk, there are possibilities and if this is the reason, try to switch to some other brand.

Solid Introduction – Usually when you start giving solid food to your child, it takes time for the child’s digestive system, to get adjusted to it. Your child’s stool might get slightly constipated when solid is introduced to the daily diet.

Illness – Constipation can also be result of some illness or due to some medicines. Check this out with the child’s doctor and take necessary action.

Dehydration – Sometimes mothers do not pay much attention to the fluid intake of the infant and constipation can be as a result of fewer intakes of water and other fluid.

What to Do When an Infant is Constipated

• Try to make out the cause and see whether the reason is new addition to diet or change of formula milk or any other reason.

• Make sure your baby is fed properly because many times it is observed that lack of enough milk also leads to constipation in newborns.

• When bathing your baby fill the tub with water so that your baby’s tummy is in the water. Let him relax there because the warm water will soften the stool if you lightly massage his stomach.
  

• In severe cases, contact your pediatrician and try any home or on-the-counter remedy only after consulting him.

• If your child is constipated due to solid addition in diet, try introducing some fibrous food so that he gets rid of constipation in natural way.
  

• Changing the feeding schedule can also make difference.

Try the above tips and you will definitely find changes. However, it is advisable that you should not wait long and if you find that your child is very uncomfortable, contact the pediatrician immediately.