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Baby constipation remedies 5 month old


Baby constipation: Top 7 home remedies

Babies often go a long time between bowel movements. Most of the time, it is normal for a baby to go days or even more than a week without a bowel movement. However, a baby may sometimes be constipated and need a little help.

If a baby is constipated, a pediatrician may recommend using home remedies as a first-line treatment for baby constipation.

Home remedies for constipation in a baby include:

1. Exercise


Moving a baby’s legs can help relieve constipation.

As with adults, exercise and movement tend to stimulate a baby’s bowels.

However, as babies may not be walking or even crawling yet, a parent or caregiver may want to help them exercise to relieve constipation.

The parent or caregiver can gently move the baby’s legs while they are lying on their back to mimic the motion of riding a bicycle. Doing this may help the bowels function and relieve constipation.

2. A warm bath

Giving a baby a warm bath can relax their abdominal muscles and help them stop straining. It can also relieve some of the discomfort relating to constipation.

3. Dietary changes

Certain dietary changes may help constipation, but these will vary depending on the baby’s age and diet.

While breastfeeding a baby, a woman could eliminate certain foods, such as dairy, from her diet. It may take some trial and error to identify the dietary changes that help, and it is quite possible that changes in the diet will have no effect on the baby’s constipation.

For formula-fed babies, a parent or caregiver may want to try a different kind of formula. It is best not to switch to a gentle or dairy-free formula without consulting a pediatrician first. If one change does not make a difference, continuing to try different formulas is unlikely to help.

If an infant is eating solid foods, parents or caregivers should look to introduce foods that are good sources of fiber.

Many fruits and vegetables can help stimulate the bowels because of their higher fiber content. Good food choices for babies with constipation include:

  • skinless apples
  • broccoli
  • whole grains, such as oatmeal or whole-grain bread or pasta
  • peaches
  • pears
  • plums

4. Hydration

Young infants do not typically need supplemental liquids as they get their hydration from breast milk or formula.

However, babies that are constipated may benefit from a small amount of extra liquid.

Pediatricians sometimes recommend adding a small amount of water or, occasionally, fruit juice, to the baby’s diet when they are over 2–4 months old and are constipated.

5. Massage

There are several ways to massage a baby’s stomach to relieve constipation. These include:

  • Using the fingertip to make circular motions on the stomach in a clockwise pattern.
  • Walking the fingers around the naval in a clockwise pattern.
  • Holding the baby’s knees and feet together and gently pushing the feet toward the belly.
  • Stroking from the rib cage down past the belly button with the edge of a finger.

6. Fruit juice


A small amount of pure apple juice can help soften stool.

After a baby reaches 2–4 months of age, they can have a small amount of fruit juice, such as 100-percent prune or apple juice. This juice may help treat constipation.

Experts may recommend starting with about 2–4 ounces of fruit juice. The sugar in the juice is hard to digest. As a result, more liquid enters the intestines, which helps soften and break up the stool.

However, a parent or caregiver should not give fruit juice to a baby for the first time without consulting their pediatrician.

7. Taking a rectal temperature

When a baby is constipated, taking the baby’s rectal temperature with a clean, lubricated thermometer may help them pass stool.

It is important not to use this method very often, as it can make constipation worse. The baby may start not wanting to pass a bowel movement without help, or they may begin to associate having a bowel movement with discomfort, leading them to fuss or cry more during the process.

Anyone who feels as though they often need to use this method to help the baby have a bowel movement should talk to the baby’s doctor.

As infants may go for extended periods without a bowel movement, it can be hard to tell if they are constipated. Signs that indicate constipation in a baby include:

  • infrequent stools that are not soft in consistency
  • clay-like stool consistency
  • hard pellets of stool
  • long periods of straining or crying while trying to have a bowel movement
  • streaks of red blood in the stool
  • lack of appetite
  • a hard belly

Signs of constipation in babies vary depending on their age and diet. A normal bowel movement before a baby begins eating solid food should be very soft, almost like the consistency of peanut butter or even looser.

Hard baby stool prior to solid food is the most obvious indication of constipation in babies.

At first, breastfed babies may pass stool often since breast milk is easy to digest. However, once a baby is between 3 and 6 weeks old, they may only pass a large, soft stool once a week and sometimes even less.

Formula-fed babies tend to pass stool more frequently than breastfed babies. Most formula-fed babies will have a bowel movement at least once a day or every other day. However, some formula-fed babies may go longer between bowel movements without being constipated.

Once a parent introduces solid food to a baby’s diet, a baby may be more likely to experience constipation. A baby may also be more likely to become constipated if a parent or caregiver introduces cow’s milk (other than formula) to their diet.

Share on PinterestA doctor should assess a baby with ongoing constipation.

It is advisable to call a pediatrician if a baby has not passed a stool after a day or two and there are other signs present, such as:

  • blood in the stool
  • the baby seems to be irritable
  • the baby appears to have abdominal pain
  • there is no improvement in the baby’s constipation after taking steps to treat it

Treatment typically starts with home remedies. If home remedies do not work, a doctor may examine the baby and, in rare cases, prescribe medications, such as:

  • laxatives
  • enemas
  • suppositories

People should never give these medications to a baby unless a doctor prescribes them.

Constipation can lead to discomfort and irritability in a baby. People can try several at-home methods to help alleviate constipation.

If symptoms do not improve, it is best to speak to the infant’s pediatrician for additional strategies.

Read the article in Spanish.

Does my baby have acne or a rash? Diagnosis and treatment

Baby acne is common and usually clears up on its own. Some rashes may need treatment, however, so it is important to know the difference between baby acne, rashes, and other skin problems.

Babies have very sensitive skin, so caregivers may worry that spots or a rash are a sign of an allergic reaction or a health condition.

In this article, we look at how to tell the difference between baby acne and common rashes, plus home remedies and how to prevent baby acne.

Baby acne, or neonatal acne, is common and affects around 20 percent of newborns before they are 6 weeks old. It is most common on the face, but it can present on the neck, upper back, and chest. It is rare elsewhere on the body.

In adults and teenagers, hormonal swings and clogged oil glands commonly cause acne. This might occur due to using makeup, sweating, and applying skin care products.

Maternal hormones cause baby acne. Some babies are born with acne, while others develop it soon after birth.

Baby acne often appears as whiteheads, or closed comedones. Some babies also develop red pimples and mild skin inflammation. In rare cases, a baby may develop serious acne that can leave scars or become infected.

Baby acne does not usually need treatment, but when symptoms are severe, a doctor may choose to prescribe antibiotics or other treatments.

Baby acne typically starts before a baby is 6 weeks old. A rash or spot that appears after 6 weeks could be a result of something else. Babies who develop acne after the age of 6 weeks should see a dermatologist for diagnosis and treatment.

Rashes and other skin conditions are very common in newborns and can arise for many reasons. Some can look similar to acne. A few common skin conditions in babies include:

Contact dermatitis

Contact dermatitis results from coming into contact with something that irritates the skin, such as a lotion, cream, material, or metal. Contact dermatitis can look like red bumps or flattened areas of red irritation.

Allergens, irritating substances such as citrus juice, and wet skin from drooling can all cause contact dermatitis. This type of rash is more common in older babies who have started eating solid foods, and it is most common around the mouth.

It usually clears on its own, but if the rash gets worse, a doctor might prescribe a steroid cream or other treatment.

Heat rash

A heat rash, or miliaria, occurs when sweat glands are blocked. Some common causes include overheating, sitting in front of a space heater, and being held too tightly against a person’s skin.

Keep the baby’s skin cool and dry. Avoid very tight or warm clothes, especially in the summer. Heat rashes usually go away on their own.

Erythema toxicum

Erythema toxicum is a rash that starts a few days after birth. The rash is blotchy and red, with blisters that have a small white or yellow center.

An estimated 48–72 percent of full-term infants will experience erythema toxicum. It is harmless and will go away on its own within a few days.

Eczema

Share on PinterestA baby may inherit eczema if a member of their family has it.

Eczema is a skin condition that tends to run in families. Babies with eczema may have small patches of dry or thickened skin. More severe cases can turn the skin red and inflamed. Eczema patches are typically very dry and itchy.

Some babies experience eczema flares due to specific environmental triggers, such as dry weather, a new skin care product, and some food items. Identifying and avoiding these triggers can help.

Use a mild soap for eczema and avoid scrubbing the skin. Some caregivers find that less frequent bathing also helps. Put eczema cream on the affected patches after each bath.

Many infants outgrow eczema by 4 years old.

A number of over-the-counter (OTC) skin creams can make eczema less itchy. Corticosteroid creams, which use a mild steroid to speed healing, can also help. Though these are available over-the-counter, it is safer to talk to a doctor before using them on a baby.

Milia

Milia are small, firm, white bumps on the skin. They are very common, affecting nearly half of newborns. They may be present at birth, or they may develop shortly after.

Milia are harmless and will disappear without treatment. They form when skin flakes or keratin get trapped under the skin.

Transient neonatal pustular melanosis

Transient neonatal pustular melanosis is a common skin condition in newborns. It appears as small pus-filled spots. It is harmless and will go away by itself.

This skin condition is more common in newborns with black skin. The spots usually disappear within 5 days of birth, but they may leave dark marks on the skin for several months.

The spots usually appear on the following body parts:

  • forehead
  • neck
  • upper chest
  • chest
  • thighs
  • small of the back

Is it an allergic reaction?

Allergic reactions can cause raised, swollen bumps, or hives, to appear on the skin.People do not tend to confuse hives with acne. This is because hives is very uncommon under 6 weeks old, does not look like acne, and is usually not confined to the face, neck, and upper chest back as baby acne is.

Share on PinterestProducts for adult skin can be harmful to babies.

Babies’ skin is thinner than adults’ skin and has fewer oil glands. This makes their skin more vulnerable to injury and irritation.

Adult acne remedies can irritate babies’ sensitive skin. Caregivers should avoid using OTC remedies unless a dermatologist or pediatrician suggests otherwise.

To treat baby acne at home, keep the skin clean but do not overmoisturize it. A gentle cleanser for sensitive skin can help. Avoid touching or picking at acne, which can make it worse and cause infections.

For most young babies, the fewer things that touch their skin, the better. However, if the baby has dry skin and a face moisturizer may work, it is best to use one that manufacturers have specifically designed for use on baby skin.

Though there is no clinical evidence supporting this claim, some caregivers claim that a breast milk remedy can work. Breast milk is rich in antibodies, and some believe that applying it to a baby’s acne can help clear it up more quickly.

Baby acne typically goes away on its own within a few weeks. If it does not go away, or if it gets worse, a person may wish to consider seeing a doctor.

Exposure to certain maternal hormones usually causes baby acne, which means that there is nothing specific that a caregiver can do to prevent it.

However, a few strategies can prevent acne from getting worse and reduce the risk of developing acne between 3 and 6 months:

  • Avoid using oily skin care products.
  • Monitor how various skin care products affect a baby’s skin. It is important to note that some babies are very sensitive to fragrances.

It can be difficult to tell baby acne from other types of rash, such as contact dermatitis, eczema, and erythema toxicum.

When other symptoms accompany the acne or another skin condition, talk to a doctor. Sometimes, a change to the condition of the skin can warn of a more serious problem, such as an infection or a problem with a baby’s hormonal system.

For most babies, acne is only temporary and will go away on its own. Caregivers who are unsure or who are concerned that their baby’s acne is very severe should see a doctor.

Constipation in a child at 5 months: first aid, causes, treatment, remedies

Co-author, editor and medical expert - Klimovich Elina Valerievna.

Views: 38 020

Last update date: 27.12.2022 G.

Average reading time: 4 minutes

Content

Pathology or norm?
Causes of constipation at 5 months
The dangers of constipation
How to help your child

Constipation is one of the most common digestive problems in children under one year of age. In the first months of life, the child's body is still weak and does not always tolerate the change of baby food, the introduction of complementary foods, and even changes in the diet of a nursing mother. Prolonged lack of stool in a baby, its irregularity, pain during bowel movements - parents of at least 25% of children aged 3–6 months faced such a problem. But not everyone knows when to see a doctor and how to help in such a situation. nine0003

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Pathology or norm?

It is worth remembering that constipation is characterized by heavy, painful bowel movements, abdominal pain and bloating. A simple stool retention is not enough to make such a diagnosis. If the baby smiles, is interested in surrounding objects, sleeps well and has not lost his appetite, then you should not panic. Constipation in children at 5 months is manifested by unwillingness to lie or sit in one place, refusal to eat, whims, visible straining that does not lead to a result. Thus, parents should only worry if a long absence of stool causes obvious discomfort to the baby. Another sign of constipation is hard, fragmented, formed feces that have an unpleasant odor. If you have these symptoms, you should contact your pediatrician. Having found blood in the feces, you need to show the child to the doctor immediately, as this may indicate both a crack in the intestines and serious developmental pathologies. nine0003

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Causes of constipation at 5 months

Abrupt introduction of complementary foods. It is at this age that many parents begin to introduce additional complementary foods into the baby's diet. If it is thick or too high, it can lead to bowel problems, including constipation. Excess protein and fat also has a bad effect on the functioning of the baby's intestines.

Incorrect mixture. Formula-fed babies suffer from constipation more often than others. It is important to pay attention to the amount of probiotics, prebiotics and other nutrients in the formula to make sure your baby is getting enough of them. nine0003

Lack of fluid. At the time of the introduction of the first complementary foods, and infants on formula should be given clean drinking water even earlier (at the age of 5 months, its amount should be approximately 450 ml per day). The liquid softens the stool and prevents constipation.

Non-compliance with the diet by the mother. If the baby is breastfed, constipation may be the result of maternal malnutrition. In order for the child to receive the necessary substances with milk, it is necessary to switch to a healthy diet - eat more fruits and vegetables, as well as sour-milk products. In order not to provoke constipation in the baby, you will have to give up sweets. nine0003

Pathologies of intestinal development. Such diseases are diagnosed by a doctor and are subject to medical and sometimes surgical treatment.

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Why constipation is dangerous

Chronic constipation can lead to dysbacteriosis, which negatively affects the health of the child as a whole. Prolonged absence of stool is also fraught with the fact that feces accumulate in the intestines, cause intoxication of the body, requiring immediate medical intervention. If you do not contact a specialist in time and do not undergo treatment, constipation can provoke more serious consequences, including cracks and even prolapse of the rectum. nine0003

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How to help your baby

Often, in order to save a baby from constipation, it is enough for a mother to change his or her diet. Doctors also recommend:

  • massage the child's belly with circular movements in a clockwise direction;
  • perform exercises with alternating leg raises;
  • warm relaxing baths;
  • more age-appropriate outdoor games.

In the absence of contraindications, single-acting microclysters MICROLAX 9 can be used to alleviate the condition of the baby0094® . The substances included in their composition affect only the feces, contributing to their softening. MICROLAX ® has no harmful effect on the child's body and can be used from the first days of life.

Back to Contents

The information in this article is for reference only and does not replace professional medical advice. For diagnosis and treatment, contact a qualified specialist.

is it possible for a child to take, the rules of administration, dosage

Features of constipation in children

One can speak of constipation when the time interval between bowel movements increases in comparison with the individual physiological norm, or with regular incomplete bowel movements.

For babies of the first months of life on breastfeeding, stools can normally be from one to 6-7 times during the day. With a gradual transition to the “common table”, the chair becomes thicker and less frequent. Constipation can be considered a decrease in stools - less than 6 times a week for babies up to 3 years 1 .

In older children, the frequency of bowel movements can normally range from 3 times a day to 3 times a week. Constipation can be considered less than 3 stools per week for children over
3 years of age 1 .

Non-drug correction

If the baby has constipation, first of all, it is necessary to review and adjust the feeding process: the feeding schedule and the amount of food. It may be necessary to refuse unreasonably early introduction of complementary foods. A nursing mother should drink enough fluids and limit the use of foods that stimulate gas formation and slow down the peristalsis of the large intestine: strong tea and coffee, alcoholic beverages, chocolate, sugar syrups, citrus fruits 2 .

In a bottle-fed baby with constipation, use only adapted milk formulas and avoid frequent changes.

The baby needs to be provided with a sufficient amount of liquid: clean water, you can give herbal tea with fennel or chamomile for babies. Starting from 4-4.5 months, the baby can be given weakly concentrated dried fruit compotes or berry fruit drinks. It is worth introducing complementary foods in the form of vegetable and fruit purees no earlier than the 5th month of a child's life 2 .

Abdominal massage may be helpful for babies with constipation problems before feeding.

Constipation can also be relieved by position therapy (laying the baby on the stomach with legs bent and brought to the body), light massage of the perianal area 2 .

In the diet of a child with constipation older than one year of age, there should be food rich in dietary fiber and vegetable fiber, fermented milk and dairy products containing lacto- and bifidobacteria

2. 3 .

Wheat bran is abundant in dietary fiber, but its use in young children may be limited due to the bran's ability to absorb nutrients in the intestinal lumen. Also in the diet should be vegetables, fruits 2 . It is also important for the child to observe the drinking regime - drinking enough water 4 .

Physical activity

A necessary condition for preventing constipation is constant regular physical activity (especially morning exercises), sufficient exposure of the child to fresh air (in cold weather - at least 2 hours, in warm - 4 hours or more) 3 .

Formation of toilet habits

To form toilet habits from the age of one and a half years, a child should be put on the pot 2-3 times a day after meals for 5 minutes (toilet training) 1 . At this time, the baby should not play with toys, look at pictures in books, watch TV 3 .

Suppression of the urge to defecate

Suppression of the urge to defecate may be the main causative factor of constipation if the child is constantly busy and his day is scheduled to the minute, as well as in an unusual and uncomfortable environment 1 . Therefore, for normal bowel movements, a comfortable toilet is important, including a footrest, if necessary, to provide support during defecation 4 .

Drug treatment

It is believed that even the initial therapy of constipation in children should not be limited only to the correction of nutrition and regimen. Such changes may increase the frequency of stools in healthy children, but not reduce symptoms in those with constipation 2 .

Some drugs used in adults may be restricted for use in children for various reasons.

Also, some laxatives may have an unpleasant taste or require a large amount of liquid to be taken, which may make children reluctant to take the medicine 2 . It is important to note that many children may have a negative attitude towards rectal manipulation: the use of enemas may cause additional fear and discomfort in children regarding defecation 2.5 . In addition, often the use of rectal laxatives is considered possible only after unsuccessful treatment with oral laxatives 6 .

For the treatment of constipation in children, a doctor may prescribe a drug from the group of stimulant laxatives from the age of 0 years — oral drops Guttalax®

2.7 .

The active ingredient, sodium picosulfate, is activated directly in the colon by bacterial degradation. Guttalax® promotes the natural process of defecation 7 .

Guttalax® has a dual mechanism of action:

On the one hand, it helps to increase intestinal motility, stimulating the act of defecation, and on the other hand, it helps to soften the stool by attracting water / electrolytes into the lumen of the large intestine 7 .

What else is important to know about Guttalax®

The drug is not addictive when taken in recommended dosages 7

Guttalax® does not affect the digestion and absorption of nutrients in the intestine 7

Guttalax® drops do not have taste and smell, they can be easily added to the child in any food or drink 2090 905

The drug in the form of drops allows you to choose an individual effective dose for the child 7

after consulting a doctor 7

Rules of administration and dosage*

7

According to the instructions for medical use, the standard dosage of Guttalax® for children:

Children from 0 to 4 years old

90®132

: 1 drop per 2 kg body weight per day

Over 10 years old

Dosage: 10-20 drops per day

Children 4 to 10 years old

Dose: 5-10 drops per day

Laxative effect may take 6-12 hours to develop

* Use Guttalax® in children only after consulting a doctor.

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