Baby constipation, slow transit

When stools are hard and dehydrated, baby's intestinal transit is slowed down. The stools stagnate in his large intestine (colon) and it is difficult for him to eliminate them. It is through this mechanism that baby constipation can occur .

Feces are 80% water. The remaining 20% ​​is dietary fiber, bacteria and intestinal cells that have detached from the mucous membranes (by desquamation) and sometimes undigested nutrients.

Baby constipation: stools that are too rare

It is the frequency of stool emission that defines infant constipation. We say that a baby is constipated when he does:

• less than one stool per day before 6 months  ;

• less than 3 stools per week after 6 months .

To prevent constipation, the appearance of stools, more or less hard and dry, is important and should be monitored. The stools of a milk-fed infant are either molded or semi-liquid and golden yellow to greenish in color. They become more consistent after the introduction of meat and fruits and vegetables during food diversification.

Why is baby constipated?

The vast majority of cases of constipation in babies are functional and completely benign. They are due to:

• either a low capacity of the colon to move stools forward by contraction movements called intestinal motility  ;

• either insufficient hydration or an unsuitable diet , too low in fiber and/or too high in protein.

Hard stools can cause discomfort or even pain when your child passes them. Constipation can sometimes be made worse when your baby holds it in out of apprehension. It's a vicious circle: the rectal ampulla, that is, the part of the rectum that receives the stool before expulsion, gets used to increasing distension. The more your child holds it in, the less he or she feels the need to go to the toilet! Don't hesitate to ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice.

In very rare cases, constipation is due to an organic cause (digestive malformation, muscular problem, etc.). It persists and is then accompanied by other symptoms or even growth problems. A medical consultation without delay is then essential. Similarly, if your child has a fever, nausea, is vomiting, is not gaining weight, or his stomach is tense and very painful, call a doctor quickly.

Breastfed or bottle-fed: what to do if your baby is constipated?

When your baby is constipated, it is not possible to act on intestinal motility. Our tips and tricks to combat baby constipation will focus on their diet and hydration.

Breastfed baby constipated: our advice

It is rare for a breastfed baby to have difficulty passing stools because they are generally quite liquid. However, breastfeeding can reduce the number of stools (sometimes only one per week). The undeniable quality of breast milk could be the cause of this phenomenon: it produces little residue and is almost entirely absorbed by the intestine. The stools are then rare but remain lumpy in appearance.

Rare stools in breastfed babies, a normal phenomenon

If this is the case in the absence of other symptoms, continue breastfeeding: breast milk is considered to be the ideal food for infants.

It is quite normal for your baby to have rare stools during breastfeeding, especially when he is over a month old. However, you must observe his good health: he must not be bloated and must emit gas (a sign that gas is not retained in the intestine), he must urinate regularly and normally, eat well and gain weight normally, he must not vomit.

When passing stools in the diaper, which is sometimes so long-awaited by parents (sometimes more than 8 days!), it often happens that the stools are abundant. This phenomenon should not alarm you as long as they remain liquid.

How to hydrate a breastfed and constipated baby more

During breastfeeding, the composition of breast milk changes. As the baby drains milk from the breast, it becomes richer in fat.

According to pediatrician Professor Jean-Louis Giniès, to hydrate your baby more, you can possibly limit feeding from the first breast and try to give him the other breast early so that the milk absorbed is richer in water and mineral salts.

Milk, however, is less nutritious and may not satisfy your baby. Used beyond a few days, this technique can speed up the emptying of your baby's stomach and promote the onset of infant colic or increase the frequency of feedings. For more information, read our article on colic in breastfed babies .

According to the pediatrician, another tip is to give your child 1 to 3 spoons of still water per day to promote hydration. For an accelerating effect on transit, and only if its use does not last more than a few days, you can choose water rich in magnesium.

Bottle-fed baby constipated: our tips

If your baby is constipated while bottle-fed, it is possible that the infant formula is not properly reconstituted or that the formula is not suitable for your baby. To properly reconstitute the formula , water must be put in the bottle first. Choose spring water or water with low mineral content, suitable for infants. To respect the doses of powder adapted to your baby's needs, you must use the measuring spoon provided with the box of infant milk because each brand and each product has its own powder density. Remember to level the measuring spoon well without packing the powder.

To learn more about preparing a bottle, you can consult the Health Insurance page How to properly prepare a bottle .

More and more infant milks contain prebiotic fibers . These fibers stimulate baby's intestinal flora. A healthy microbiota promotes good transit.

There are also "transit" milks that are richer in lactose and that incorporate more soluble proteins that promote transit. Be careful, however, not to cause infant colic. Transit milks can be used continuously until the diversification of food, which will provide dietary fiber from vegetables, fruits, but also cereals rich in fiber. Ask a health professional for advice.

Baby constipated during solid food: what to do?

Diversification of food marks the transition from an exclusively liquid diet to a partially solid and varied diet that can disrupt transit. Public Health France strongly recommends starting diversification of food from the 6th month. For more information, you can read our article How to diversify baby's diet up to 1 year old .

Pay attention to their hydration status  : despite the diversification of food, milk remains predominant in the infant's diet. Baby needs at least 500mL per day until 12 months. You can offer your child still tap water or spring water suitable for infants. .

If baby is constipated, try to eliminate foods known to slow down transit such as rice, carrots, bananas or quince. Offer at least once a day vegetables cooked in water or steamed and mixed (spinach, green beans, leeks, zucchini without seeds or skin) and twice a day fruits first in the form of compotes then, later, in crushed form.

Ask for advice or consult your doctor if you have any doubts.