What is baby constipation? Definition of baby constipation.

Constipation is a condition where stools become firmer and harder. According to other authors, constipation is the hard passage of a dry stool. And the third definition you can find – it is a period of four days without a stool. I can not agree with the last one, as I know babies that have bowel movement like once a week and they do not experience any trouble such as pain or discomfort. I think it all depends on a pattern. Constipated baby gives signs of pain and abdominal discomfort, as she needs to empty her bowels and there is no such possibility. Actually, constipation is quite frequent in babies.

Formula fed babies, as I mentioned before, are more frequently constipated. Breastfed babies are very rarely constipated, as the milk composition is perfect for a baby digestive system; it is easily digested and contain some supplemental enzymes to help in digestion. Also breastfed babies, unlike formula fed some, have some special god bacteria in the intestines that help to digest the milk. As a result of this, the breastfed baby’s stool will look different: it will be yellow, just like mustard, and the formula fed babies stool will be pale. Also, the breastfed baby’s stool will be softer and easier to eliminate. The mother’s milk will also change as the baby grows, that is why the baby’s stool will also change. And breast milk contains a special hormone called motiline, which is responsible for bowel movement, increasing movements.

If a baby is developing constipation, stools, as I mentioned before become painful and hard, which leads to logical baby’s response: she will hold her bowel movements. This will aggravate the situation and will lead to even worse constipation. So a vicious cycle is created: constipation leads to pain and pain leads to even worse constipation. Also constipation can start from a painful stool: if a baby has diaper rash or a small tear in the anus, she will also hold her stool to prevent the pain and this will lead to constipation. Constipation in case of diaper rash or tear in the anus is considered less serious and normally disappears once the main problem is solved.

The number of stools per day will vary depending on your baby’s age and pattern. There are babies that poop every 2-3 hours, and also there are absolutely healthy babies that poop once a week. Consider constipation as a problem when the number of stools is decreasing: if your baby used to have 4 stools a day and now have one, check your physician.