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Difficulty in defecation, or constipation, is a well-known and widespread problem. This process is not a disease, but a symptom. To eliminate the ego, you need to look for the root cause and fight it.
Why is a child constipated?
Constipation has a different nature. In the most dangerous cases, it is the improper development of internal organs. Such diseases can be detected in the first year of life or even in the maternity hospital. Basically, Constipation in a child happens for the following reasons:
- Dehydration Excessive fluid loss during vomiting, temperature or overheating may cause difficulty in defecation.
- Taking medications. Constipation is a side effect of a number of drugs. If the child just undergoes a course of treatment with one of them, this may be the cause of hard stool.
- Changing the diet. Babies of the first year of life are characterized by constipation during artificial feeding, when the intestine adapts to the mixture. In order to reduce the problem, the presence of alpha palmitic fatty acid in the mixtures is important. Another reason is the introduction of supplementary food.
Diseases of the gastrointestinal tract or dysbacteriosis, which can only be determined by a pediatrician or a gastroenterologist, are not excluded.
Signs of constipation in newborns and infants
Immediately after birth, the baby's body must get rid of meconium - masses that have accumulated during the stay in the uterus. Meconium is considered the first stool and comes out in the first 2-3 days of life. This process may be accompanied by anxiety and cries of the baby.
After the formation of normal fecal masses, the stool gradually improves and occurs 2-3 times a day. The consistency is different. In artificial children, the masses are more liquid.
If the child strains at each defecation, this is not always a sign of constipation. Breasts adapt to new conditions and develop the muscles of the intestines. Constipation in newborns is most often indicated by the following symptoms:
- absence of defecation for 2-3 days;
- fecal masses have become thick;
- the child is capricious and squeezes his legs after eating.
The correct advice of a pediatrician will help to cope with the problem.
What to do if the baby is constipated
When the child's stomach hurts, there are signs of constipation, the problem must be taken seriously. You can't let it go on its own, but you shouldn't take desperate measures either. Immediately running for laxative candles is not the best idea. Any medical treatment must be prescribed by a doctor after an examination.
You can provide the following assistance with your own efforts:
- do a tummy massage, running your hand clockwise;
- train your legs in the "bicycle" exercise;
- make a relaxing warm bath for the baby.
These solutions improve intestinal peristalsis.
In addition to all measures, it is always necessary to ensure that the child receives a sufficient amount of liquid. If the baby is breastfed, you should reconsider your own diet.
