Constipation in newborn nhs

Constipation | Breastfeeding Challenges | Start for Life

There may be times when breastfeeding is challenging. Never ignore any issues you may have – talk to your health visitor, midwife, GP or breastfeeding specialist as soon as possible, they will be able to help you sort it out quickly.

Here are some common breastfeeding issues, and tips on what to do.

Colic
Constipation
Mastitis
Milk supply
Reflux
Sore nipples
Thrush
Tongue-tie

Constipation

Constipation makes it more difficult for your baby to have a poo. It's often caused by their diet and is easy to treat from home.

Symptoms of constipation

The symptoms of constipation in your baby can include:

pooing fewer than 3 times in a week
finding it difficult to poo, and poos that are larger than usual
dry, hard, lumpy or pellet-like poos
unusually smelly wind and poo
your baby may be less hungry than usual
their tummy might feel firm

Other signs of constipation can include your baby lacking energy and being a bit grizzly.

How often should my breastfed baby poo?

There's no 'normal' when it comes to how often babies poo – breastfed babies will sometimes go several days, or even a week without having a poo (this is more common in babies aged 6 weeks or older). You'll quickly get used to your baby's bowel movements, so you'll be able to tell what's normal for them.

Breastfeeding Friend from Start for Life

The Breastfeeding Friend, a digital tool from Start for Life, has lots of useful information and expert advice to share with you – and because it's a digital tool, you can access it 24 / 7.

What causes constipation?

Change in diet

It's quite common for your baby to become constipated when they start taking first infant formula (which is harder to digest than breast milk), or eating processed foods. That's just because their body is learning how to cope with digesting new things.

Dehydration

Constipation can be caused by a lack of fluids. There are various reasons why your baby may not be getting enough fluids – they may be teething and finding it uncomfortable, it could be down to illness (a cold, a throat or ear infection, etc), or if they are older, not drinking enough fluids with their food. Lack of fluids can make your baby's poo harder and more difficult to push out.

Lack of fibre

In older babies, it can also be caused by not getting enough fibre, (such as fruit, vegetables and cereals) in their diet. For advice on which foods to include in your baby's diet, have a look at our guide to What to feed your baby.

Treating constipation

Here are some tips on helping relieve constipation at home:

lie your baby down and gently move their legs like they're riding a bicycle – this can help get things moving. If your baby is happy lying down, give them a gentle tummy massage
if your baby is bottle-fed, try giving them extra water between some feeds
if your baby is on solids, make sure they're getting enough fibre. Apples, pears and prunes are particularly good for constipation. Find out more about foods with plenty of fibre.

It may take a few days to get things moving again, but if things do not improve, speak to your health visitor or doctor. Your doctor may prescribe a laxative, or want to double check that it's not being caused by any underlying medical conditions.

Constipation in babies: Q&A | Baby & toddler, Your baby’s health articles & support

Here we answer questions about constipation in babies, remedies for it, how to help a newborn with constipation and what not to give them.

Q. My five-day-old baby hasn't pooed since day one. Should I worry?

It’s very unusual for babies as young as this, whether breast or bottle fed, to go without a poo – in fact, a more usual pattern is for babies to have at least two to three substantial-sized poos every day in the first week. Sometimes, a lack of poo in a young baby means he needs to feed more, so you need to check this with your midwife.

If your baby’s gaining weight, if they're feeding well, and you have no health concerns, then the lack of poo is not a concern. You can get more information about what - and how much poo - to expect in the first week here.

If your baby is not pooing regularly, that doesn't necessarily mean that they're constipated.

Q. When is it normal for breastfed babies to stop pooing as often?

Any age from about three weeks and over, but more commonly from six weeks, breastfed babies may start to space out their poos – even as much as a week or more apart. This can seem alarming, but in a healthy baby, it’s usually nothing to worry about and doesn't usually suggest that your infant is constipated.

The poo, when it comes, will be soft and easy to pass because of the way the gastro-colic reflex has changed. This is the reflex that is stimulated by food going into the top of the digestive tract causing a reflex action at the other end – and it’s very sensitive in a newborn. So it’s quite normal for a new baby to poo virtually every time he feeds.

As your baby gets a bit older, that reflex is nothing like as sensitive, and they can hang on to their poo, storing it in the lower bowel for some time. This is why you sometimes get a very large amount of poo when your baby does finally go!

Q. What about formula fed babies?

Formula fed babies, or babies who have some formula alongside breastfeeding, are likely to be the same as breastfed babies for the first week or so. Then after the initial newborn period, they usually become more regular. Their stools are more ‘formed’ than a breastfed babies, but it should still be easy to pass.

Q. How do I know if my baby is constipated?

If your baby is very uncomfortable or clearly in real pain, and his poos are small and hard, then he has some degree of constipation. This is very rare in babies who are solely breastfed, but not uncommon in babies who have formula, or who have solid foods.

Ask your health visitor or the chemist for advice on treatment. Make sure you are making up the formula powder with the correct amount of water. Some formulas are specially targeted at babies who have minor constipation – your health visitor can discuss your options.

Persistent constipation needs to be checked out by the doctor.

Q. My baby struggles and wriggles when he needs a poo – is he ok?

Some babies seem to react to the sensations in their lower bowel in the way you describe. They may even go red in the face and appear to be ‘straining’. They may be a bit unsettled.

It’s not constipation if the poos appear to be soft and come out easily, and your baby doesn't seem to be uncomfortable. If they're in pain, your baby would show you by crying. Ask your health visitor about this if you feel unsure about whether their reactions are normal.

Q. Is diluted fruit juice or fruit a good baby constipation remedy?

If your baby is already on solid foods then diluted fruit juice, such as apple, pear or prune, or the fruit itself should be fine for providing relief. Fruits, such as apples, pears and prunes, contain sorbitol which is a natural laxative, helping the lower bowel retain water, which in turn helps the poo stay soft and easy to pass.

For younger babies, check with your health visitor before you start giving anything other than milk.

Further information

We support all parents, however they feed their baby. If you have questions, concerns or need support, you can speak to a breastfeeding counsellor by calling our helpline on 0300 330 0700, whether you are exclusively breastfeeding or using formula milk. Breastfeeding counsellors have had extensive training, will listen without judging or criticising and will offer relevant information and suggestions. You can also find more useful articles here.

You might find attending one of NCT's Early Days groups helpful as they give you the opportunity to explore different approaches to important parenting issues with a qualified group leader and other new parents in your area.

Make friends with other parents-to-be and new parents in your local area for support and friendship by seeing what NCT activities are happening nearby.

7 main reasons and what to do about it?

Constipation is a bowel movement every two days or less. If the stool occurs irregularly, then something is wrong with the intestines. We will analyze the main reasons and find out how to fix the stool and when it is time to see a doctor.

1. Constipation due to lack of water
2. Constipation due to lack of fiber
3. Bloating and constipation
4. Hormonal problems and constipation
5. External factors and spastic constipation
6. Taking drugs and dietary supplements as a cause of constipation
7. Sedentary lifestyle and atonic constipation
8. What you need to know about constipation

Constipation due to lack of water

Nutrients from the food bolus are absorbed in the small intestine, and undigested particles move further into the large intestine. It is there that feces are formed. Water is also absorbed there - and the consistency of feces depends on its amount.

With a lack of water, typical symptoms of constipation appear: feces become hard, dense and lumpy, with difficulty moving through the intestines.

If a person does not systematically drink enough water, he develops chronic constipation.

The recommended water intake is about two liters per day. If you don’t feel like drinking plain water with glasses at all, soups, boiled or steamed food, fruits and dishes from fresh vegetables will help you “get back to normal”. If there are problems with stools, fried, dried, smoked foods and dry snacks are best avoided - such foods are more likely to worsen the situation.

Constipation due to lack of fiber

Just drinking water is only half the battle against constipation. It is fiber that retains water in the stool due to swelling, helping to promote it. Fiber is soluble and insoluble, and it is advisable to consume both types of dietary fiber daily.

The recommended fiber intake for an adult is about 30 grams per day. That's at least one fruit a day and one generous serving of vegetables. Also, mucus-forming products with soluble fiber - flaxseed porridge, psyllium husks - will also help.

For constipation, you don't have to eat tasteless bran or unloved vegetables. You can add healthy fibers to your diet with the help of a variety of foods and dishes:

berries;
mushrooms;
leafy greens;
seedlings of legumes and grains;
seeds;
dried and pickled seaweed;
whole grain bread;
brown rice;
whole grain spaghetti;
whole grain breads;
smoothies;
whole grain cereals;
dried fruit without added sugar.

Fiber not only helps you go to the toilet regularly, but also feeds the intestinal microbiota. To maintain a healthy diversity of microflora, you need to consume a variety of types of dietary fiber.

The ability of gut bacteria to break down dietary fiber can be assessed using the Atlas Microbiota Test.

Bloating and constipation

A constant excess of gas in the intestines can cause spasmodic constipation. Accumulated gases prevent feces from moving along the tract. They cause pain and discomfort, cause spasms, because the intestinal loops are compressed, transferred.

A common cause of bloating is dysbacteriosis, in which pathogenic microflora takes precedence over beneficial ones.

Atlas microbiota test helps to determine the ratio of probiotic and other beneficial bacteria, to assess the diversity of the microbiota. By examining your bacteria, it is much easier to understand how to deal with bloating and constipation and what your microbiota is missing.

Hormonal problems and constipation

Thyroid hormones regulate essential bodily functions, including metabolism and digestion. With hypothyroidism, a violation of the production of thyroxine, chronic constipation and other digestive disorders may occur.

The symptoms of hypothyroidism are very non-specific, so you need to get tested to check your thyroid hormones. When their levels are low, a person may also experience chronic fatigue, excessive sweating, muscle weakness, weight fluctuations, or heart rhythm disturbances.

External factors and spastic constipation

The gut-brain axis is a two-way communication between the gastrointestinal tract and the brain. Fear, or even pleasurable excitement, is stress on the body that triggers the fight-flight-or-freeze response. Therefore, before an important event, such as a flight or an interview, it can be difficult to go to the toilet.

Stress can inhibit peristalsis and cause spastic constipation, accompanied by acute colic.

Therefore, before a trip or an important meeting, it is better to have dinner with something easily digestible and not causing heaviness and seething in the stomach. A warm bath or shower, taking antispasmodics, a hot drink, meditation and massage will help you relax.

Medications and dietary supplements as a cause of constipation

Constipation is mentioned as a side effect in the instructions for hundreds of different drugs. If you've improved your diet but are still suffering from chronic constipation, check to see if you're taking any medication or food supplement that could be causing it.

These drugs and supplements can slow down peristalsis and interfere with bowel regularity:

antidepressants;
antipsychotics;
containing iron;
sedatives;
diuretics;
containing aluminium;
anti-inflammatory.

This does not mean that you have to stop taking medicines or supplements yourself if you have a broken stool. Try to increase fluid and fiber intake and eat regularly. If that doesn't work, see your doctor and ask them to choose an alternative with less side effects or a mild laxative.

Sedentary lifestyle and atonic constipation

Atonic constipation often occurs in old age, when body functions gradually slow down. But young people can also suffer from constipation, caused not by hypertonicity or spasms, but by a simple lack of movement.

When playing sports or simply having an active lifestyle, the blood circulates more intensively through the body, and metabolic processes are accelerated. Cycling, walking and running will help with this. Also, in the fight against constipation, it is better to pay attention to activities in which you can move in a variety of ways and include the abdominal muscles. It can be dancing, swimming, yoga, gymnastics.

What you need to know about constipation

Don't worry about chronic constipation - it's not a sign of cancer. But the problem cannot be ignored either. Persistent constipation and the need to push hard to have a bowel movement can actually increase your risk of developing hemorrhoids or tumors. If you cannot determine the cause of constipation on your own and eliminate it, you need to consult a doctor.

To cope with constipation, it is not necessary to immediately take laxatives. It is much more useful to pay attention to the diet. About what products help to avoid constipation, we wrote a separate article.

Severe pain, weight loss, blood or mucus in the stool, unusually thin pencil-like stools - these symptoms should be reported to a doctor. It is important to be examined and check for inflammation, polyps or other neoplasms in the intestines. Your doctor may order a calprotectin test, a marker of intestinal inflammation, as well as a colonoscopy and other tests.

The state of the microbiota affects the regularity of the stool - we regularly talk about it in our blog. But each microbiota is unique. You can examine your gut bacteria with the Atlas Microbiota Test and get personalized advice on dietary changes, as well as your risk for Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, and other gastrointestinal conditions.

Want to learn more about stomach health?

Download the free microbiome book from the Atlas experts!

More articles on how to improve digestion on the Atlas blog:

Foods that prevent constipation
Bloating after eating
Irritable bowel syndrome

National Health Service, Constipation of constipation09
National Health Service, Constipation, About constipation, 2020
Min Chen et al., Modulatory Effects of Gut Microbiota on Constipation: The Commercial Beverage Yakult Shapes Stool Consistency, 2019
Compound Interest, The Chemistry of Plums & Prunes: Constipation & Chewing Gum, 2015
Harvard School of Public Health, Food features
U.S. National Institute of Health, Graham DY et al, The effect of bran on bowel function in constipation, 1982
Gastrojournal, R. S. Fisher, M.D., Bran as therapy in constipation, 1983
International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders
R&D Centre, Aurea Biolabs Pvt Ltd, Kolenchery, Cochin, India, Augustine Amalraj and Sreeraj Gopi, Biological activities and medicinal properties of Asafoetida: A review, 2017

How to help a child with constipation? – health articles

06/16/2021

Causes of constipation in children
Symptoms of constipation
Diet
Gymnastics
Benefits of contacting MEDSI

Constipation in a child can occur at various stages of growth and development. According to statistics, every fifth baby suffers from problems with stool. In this case, violations can occur already in infancy. With the start of complementary foods, the stool usually improves, which is associated with the introduction of fiber into the diet and an increase in physical activity. After a year, the number of children suffering from constipation is growing again. This is already due to the transition to solid food, the rejection of breastfeeding and the reduction in liquid in the diet.

It is dangerous to neglect constipation!

In fact, their consequences are quite dangerous and can cause:

baby stress
rectal deformities
anal fissures
general organism intoxication

What to do if the child has constipation?

Find out the cause of the pathological condition together with the doctor
Diet
Pay attention to moderate physical activity

Important! It is forbidden to self-medicate. Laxative suppositories and other means should not be given, as well as cleansing enemas.

It is forbidden to self-medicate. Laxative suppositories and other means should not be given, as well as cleansing enemas.

Causes of constipation in children

The main factors stimulating stool disorders in children include:

Insufficient fluid intake
Meals with little or no fiber
Lack of physical activity

Symptoms of constipation

A pathological condition can be suspected by the following signs:

the presence of blood (scarlet, fresh) in the stool during the act of defecation and after it in the form of blots (traces) on toilet paper
rare visits to the toilet for the purpose of defecation (2 or less times a week)
large large compartments
the need for strong straining during defecation
pain in the anus and abdomen

Diet

What can be given to a child for constipation?

This question interests many parents. The fight against the problem should begin not with taking medications, but with changing the diet.

Necessary:

Increase fluid intake
Establish fractional nutrition
Add fiber-rich foods to the diet

You should teach your child to drink plain clean water. For babies over the age of 3, 2-3 glasses of water a day are usually sufficient. Avoid sugary carbonated drinks, coffee and tea. This is due to the fact that they have a pronounced diuretic effect and stimulate constipation and dehydration.

Especially useful is the cool water that children drink in the morning on an empty stomach. Gradually, the temperature of the liquid can be reduced. The following drinks also have a laxative effect:

beet juice
fermented milk (kefir, fermented baked milk, etc.)
chamomile decoctions
dill tea

Important! They should be introduced into the diet gradually, starting with a small amount. Otherwise, you can provoke a breakdown in digestion.

You should teach your child to drink plain clean water. For babies over the age of 3, 2-3 glasses of water a day are usually sufficient.

The treatment of constipation in children also implies the introduction of laxative products into the diet, which include:

legumes
nuts
prunes and dried apricots
plum
beets
dates

They are also included in the diet gradually and under the supervision of a physician. Cereal porridges can be useful: oatmeal, buckwheat, wheat, pearl barley. It is advisable to refuse rice, pears, sweets, muffins, animal fats, flour products. They have a fixing effect.

What else to feed the child so that there is no constipation?

The answer to this question should be given by the pediatrician.

Gymnastics

For the prevention of a pathological condition, walking and running, swimming, exercises to strengthen the abdominal press, squats, bends are useful.

It is believed that mobile, active children are less likely to suffer from constipation. For the prevention of a pathological condition, walking and running, swimming, exercises to strengthen the abdominal press, squats, bends are useful.

If the child is already suffering from stool problems, it is recommended to start the day with simple morning exercises. Massage may also be helpful.

It is important to pay attention to the general change in the behavior of the baby.

The child should be taught to go to the toilet at about the same time, encouraged for observing the daily routine (motivate and praise).

It is also important to create a favorable environment in the toilet. Nothing should distract the child from the act of defecation or scare him in the bathroom.

Benefits of contacting MEDSI

Help from experienced doctors. Pediatric coloproctologists, gastroenterologists and psychologists work with patients. They know exactly how to treat constipation in a child in accordance with the reasons that provoked it
Diagnostic options. The clinic can conduct comprehensive examinations. They allow you to identify the causes of the pathology, find out how and what causes constipation in a child, help him as soon as possible
Comprehensive approach to troubleshooting. Doctors not only recommend diet and gymnastics. If necessary, specialists prescribe laxatives, antispasmodics, as well as agents that stimulate the evacuation of feces (enemas and suppositories). All drugs are selected individually
Prevention of complications. To prevent the undesirable consequences of constipation, regular examinations by a coloproctologist are mandatory
Comfort of visiting clinics. We provide timely consultations without queues at a convenient time for patients

To make an appointment, just call 8 (495) 7-800-500. Our specialist will answer all questions and suggest the best time to visit a doctor.

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