Constipation of the baby brings a lot of trouble not only him, but his parents. This is a very common phenomenon. Let's find out what is considered constipation in infants. At the age of up to three months, the optimal frequency of stool in a child is 2-4 times a day. By the year the baby empties almost half as much. Children's intestines are not sufficiently developed and therefore can not always cope properly with their function.
Therefore, constipation in the infants is a problem with emptying, which is often accompanied by pains in the abdomen due to the accumulation of gases. But not only the lack of a chair during the day should cause concern, but also its consistency. At the kid since a birth кал кашаобразный, and at a constipation he can be firm and dry.
Signs of constipation in infants
Basically constipation is manifested by causeless crying and capricious state. It is worth paying attention if the baby:
- rare defecation or complete absence of it within 24 hours;
- dry, thick feces;
- anxiety, wailing, yellowing of the skin;
- increased gassing.
Basically, the problem manifests itself in a complex. Due to the fact that the baby can not empty in time, there is flatulence, gas and pain in the abdomen. From such discomfort, even from an adult one can hear complaints. And since a newborn can not express everything with words, he becomes restless and cries.
Chronic form of constipation
In most children, a temporary absence of stool is not a pathology. Usually after a couple of days it passes. In some cases, there is a constant constipation in the infants, which lasts a long time. It can sometimes be confused with diarrhea, because the child can stain the laundry with mucous secretions.
With frequent constipation, the kidney by palpation reveals lumps of feces in the terminal sections of the intestine, but this can only be determined by the doctor. Prolonged constipation can lead to cracks in the anus, so, in this case, you should immediately contact a specialist.
Circumstances that provoke constipation
Causes of constipation in infants:
- small amount of liquid;
- Some types of diseases (thyroid problems, allergies, rickets);
- reaction to medicines;
- malnutrition of the mother;
- transition from breastfeeding to the mixture;
- abnormal functioning of nerve cells in the intestine;
- psychological factors.
In all cases, only the pediatrician can determine the correct cause. It is important to remember that special methods of treatment are used for children. Medications that help adults are not assigned to babies. Self-medication can lead to unforeseen consequences.
Diarrhea as a sign of constipation
A liquid stool can also be a sign of constipation. The matter is that liquid feces can overcome an obstruction from the hardened fecal masses in the intestine. Liquid constipation in infants is often confused with diarrhea and diarrhea . It is worth paying attention to, as the dense part of the stool remains, and thus there are pains in the tummy.
The main types of constipation
Another problem of the intestine is atonic constipation in the baby.
The most common type are physiological constipation in infants. The point is that the intestines of babies are still very poorly developed and it is difficult for them to cope with their functions, the baby moves little and food moves along the intestines for a long time. Adapting to the diet and way of life, the body comes back to normal.