HARD baby ‘poo’
MARY a new mom, recently noticed that whenever she changed her ten-month-old baby’s diaper, it either had very hard excreta or none at all. She became worried when she noticed her baby’s condition had not changed by the end of one week. She. therefore, decided to rush the baby to the hospital where it was established that the baby had constipation.
Constipation occurs when the baby passes hard stool, which may be accompanied by pain and discomfort. The stool is normally dry and crumbly or is in the form of pellets. This is a common problem not only with babies, but it also occurs among older children and adults.
After the first few weeks of their life, breastfed babies may not produce stool for several days or up to a week. When they do. it will usually be soft. Many babies and children do not also ‘poo’ every day. If a baby or child passes stool only once or a couple of times a week, it does not mean that he/she is constipated, unless the stool is also evidently hard.
Usually, constipation comes about when the baby is not given enough water or drinks. Sometimes a change in the baby’s feeding pattern, for instance from breast milk or formula to weaning may cause constipation because of the introduction of solid foods that he/she is not accustomed to.
What can a parent or a care giver do?
o Check whether the formula has the correct ratio of powder to water.
o Give the baby boiled water in between meals
o Give the baby a warm bath and gently rub his tummy clockwise
o Cycle the baby’s legs. This will help stimulate bowel movements
Constipation in children
Studies indicate that up to 10 percent of children get constipated at any one time—when they are in pre-school and above four years old. Chronic constipation, which occurs for over two weeks, is most common in children aged two and four when they are potty training.
Constipation in children occurs when the child does not drink enough water, fruit juices or lacks adequate fibre in their daily diet. Fibre rich foods include vegetables, cereals, grains and fruits.
Sometimes certain medications such as cough syrups, anticonvulsants (medicines that control seizures) or iron supplements can cause constipation. Children with chronic constipation usually dread going to the toilet or using the potty.
When this happens, the stool builds up in the lower abdomen making it larger and harder. This makes it even more difficult or painful when the child finally decides to have a bowel movement.
What are the symptoms of constipation?
o Unusual bowel movements for instance fewer than three bowel movements per week
o The child looks uncomfortable or strains when passing stool. This is because the hard stool is painful to pass.
o Hard, dry and small stool because they lack water. Normal stool contain about 70 percent water
o Since stool are hard, the child strains making the skin around the anus to tear and become sore. The parent or care giver might also notice blood stains on the child’s stool or the baby’s underwear.
How can the parent or care giver tell if a baby is constipated?
A baby’s stool is usually soft or mushy. If it is hard and looks like pebbles, then the parent should know that the child is constipated. Sometimes infants with painful and difficult bowel movement may stretch their legs or clench their buttock to avoid passing stool. Children aged two to four will most likely avoid the potty or the toilet.
What is the treatment?
Treatment usually depends on the child’s age and severity of the problem. Often drinking fluids, eating fruits and fibre rich foods as well as exercise may help. However, interventions such as the administration of enemas to help remove the stool or a laxative to soften stool may become necessary especially if the condition is severe. Laxatives should, however, be used according to a medicare provider’s instructions.
What is the prevention?
To prevent constipation, give the baby a well balanced meal consisting of fibre-rich foods and a lot of fluids.
END:BL14/80