breast fed infant with constipation   by white tiger   18 year 3 of 3 (100%)

Bowel movement in newborns (up to six months old)
It is equally normal for a young baby to have a bowel movement several times a day or as little as once a week. In rare cases, there can be up to three weeks between bowel movements.

A baby who is constipated often has colic pains, because the large amount of stool in the intestines makes the intestines dilate. In some cases, the child may not want to eat and may even retch a little.

What you can do to treat the constipation:

Massage your baby's tummy

Start at the belly button and then massage outwards in circles in a clockwise direction. Some oil or cream on your fingers can also help. Only continue if your baby enjoys the massage and is comfortable and relaxed.

Move your baby's legs in a cycling motion. Place your baby so he or she is lying on their back. Hold their legs and turn them gently in a quick cycling motion. This will make the stomach muscles move and, in turn, put gentle pressure on the intestines to make them move.
Give your baby a bath

A warm bath can make your baby relax so the stools are passed more easily. Once your baby has relaxed in the bath, you can also massage their stomach (see above).

When you wash your baby's bottom, apply some cream or petroleum jelly (Vaseline) around the outside of the anus.


Don't use a thermometer to stimulate movement

Don't put a thermometer or anything else inside your baby's anus to stimulate bowel movement, because this may cause damage.

Good Answer?

Yes     No       Hide this question

Viewed 6486 times
All white tiger's Answers

Terms of Service