Constipation in infants with artificial feeding

In newborns, the process of digestion is not yet complete. They do not synthesize all the necessary enzymes, there is no microflora of the intestine. Therefore, various pathologies of digestion are common. They are manifested in different ways, but the most common disorder is constipation. Approximately one in five babies suffer from periodic constipations for up to a year. And, most often they are observed with artificial feeding. In many cases, mothers manage to cope with the problem by changing the diet or selecting another mixture. But sometimes, only going to the doctor and special treatment help to improve the baby's digestion.

Features of constipation

Quite often it happens that moms raise panic for no reason. Now there are many books that describe in detail, not only how to feed the baby, but also how much he should go to the toilet. Therefore, mothers, noticing that their child empties the intestines 4-5 times a day, as written in the book, but only once, immediately diagnose him as "constipation."At the same time, they try to cope with the problem on their own, often with the help of unsafe folk remedies or medicines.

But in fact, the stool of an infant can be from 1 time in 1-2 days to 4-6 times a day, and this is normal. Pay attention not only to its frequency, but also to the consistency, as well as the well-being of the child. If the infant is on artificial feeding, the stool is more often dense, dark in color, and the bowel is not emptied as often as in infants. This is due to the peculiarities of milk formulas for feeding.

Constipation in newborns with artificial feeding is not manifested in a decrease in stool frequency. Take measures only when the baby does not emptied the intestines for more than 4 days or a long time the chair is observed less than 1 time per day. Thus the child strongly strains, strains, cries. The feces are dense, dry, in the form of sausages or peas. The child is restless, he has flatulence, colic, tight stomach. On the violation of digestion can also indicate such symptoms as frequent regurgitation, anxiety of the baby, a violation of appetite.

Constipation often brings severe discomfort to the baby, it becomes restless, many cry

Causes of

Constipation in infants with natural feeding is rare. This is due to the fact that breast milk is ideal for the child's digestive system and is well absorbed. If the mother eats properly, the milk contains not only nutrients, but also enzymes and bacteria to create normal intestinal microflora. Therefore, constipation is most often observed with mixed feeding, and especially with artificial feeding.

But the right choice of food can help avoid problems. To do this, you need to know what causes lead to constipation. Most often this happens with a sudden change in dietary habits. This can be a transition from breast-milk to artificial feeding, frequent change of mixtures or early introduction of complementary foods.

For the normal digestion of a child, the right choice of formula for feeding is very important. Although almost all modern infant formula is adapted and is similar in composition to breast milk, it requires great efforts from the digestive organs. Therefore, with a sudden transition from natural feeding or from one mixture to another, the digestive system of the baby does not have time to regroup, and the lack of enzymes necessary for the cleavage of large amounts of fats, proteins and carbohydrates causes difficulties in digestion.

In addition, constipation can occur with early introduction of complementary foods. If you begin to feed your baby before 4 months without testimony to this, you can break the already imperfect process of digestion. Especially often, constipation leads to an early introduction to the diet of porridge, meat and dairy products, cookies, eggs.

There are also other causes of constipation during artificial feeding:

• This may be the absence of water. For some reason, many believe that infants do not need to drink. But this is permissible only with breastfeeding, as the mother's milk provides the baby with everything necessary. But the child of the artificial person must be additionally supplemented with clean water between the feedings.
• Sometimes infringement of intestinal microflora can arise as a result of infectious diseases. In this case, constipation in the baby can be observed for a long time, but can also go on independently after recovery.
• Some medications may also lead to a stool disorder. Most often, these are the means for treating anemia, containing iron, as well as antibacterial drugs.
• Rarely constipation in children is associated with congenital anomalies of intestinal development. For example, the presence of additional loops slows the progress of feces and leads to their compaction. Such constipation is not treated by the usual methods.
• There may be a violation of intestinal peristalsis. When it slows down, accumulation of feces takes place, they harden and slowly move forward. And with an increased intestine tone, the feces come out with small lumps.
• Sometimes the psychological causes of constipation are also highlighted. Although this is more common in children older than 8 months old. Disturbance of the stool can cause separation from the mother, severe stress or fear of pain after having once suffered constipation.

How to help a baby

In most cases, parents manage to cope independently with constipation in a child. The main thing is to know in advance what to do in this case. Perhaps it will be enough to give the baby water, massage his tummy, and everything will pass. But still it is better to see a doctor who will help determine the cause of constipation and give recommendations on how to cope with them.

Tummy massage and regular gymnastics will help to avoid constipation.

The most important thing is to properly organize the baby's feeding regime. Despite the fact that babies are advised to feed on demand, this is not suitable for artificial persons. Milk mixtures are more difficult to digest, so it is not recommended to feed your baby more than 3 hours later. And, it is very important not to overfeed it. Do not try to get the baby to drink a full bottle, and between the feeds you can not give him anything but clean water.

In a newborn baby, the digestive system still works poorly. Therefore, it is necessary to do a light tummy massage for him. For this, caressing circular movements should be carried out with a warm hand in the area of ​​the intestine, without touching the umbilical cord, if it has not yet healed. It is also useful to do the legs of a child doing the exercise "bicycle".In addition, from 2 weeks of age it is recommended to spread the baby on the tummy. These measures will help to more quickly remove gases and improve digestion.

If a baby has problems with a stool, it is recommended to "plant" it 10-15 minutes after feeding it over the basin, bending his legs and pressing them to the tummy. In this situation, the baby will be easier to empty the intestine. Sometimes it is permissible to facilitate this process using glycerin suppositories. You can also prepare the baby a decoction of dill or fennel seeds and give it instead of water.

Treatment of constipation in newborns with medications should be performed only as directed by a physician. In no case should you give the baby laxatives designed for adults. Such funds are prescribed only on strict indications, when a change in diet or a new mixture does not help to regulate digestion. The most commonly prescribed drugs containing lactulose, since they are the most safe. It could be Dufalac, Forlax, Lactusan or Prelax. If the child's doctor discovers a violation of the intestinal microflora, he is prescribed probiotics: Bifidumbacterin, Latsidofil or Hilak Forte.

Now on sale it is possible to find many mixes specially intended for prevention and treatment of locks

Choice of a mixture with constipation

It is not necessary to change the mixture on your own, especially since doing it often. Understand that the child is not suitable food, you can only after 5-7 days. If the baby has digestive disturbances and difficulties with bowel movements, consult a doctor about the best mixture to choose. After all, the problem is often in the composition of food, since the mixtures contain non-natural components, a large amount of fats and proteins. Often in their composition can be found palm oil, preservatives, flavors and other harmful additives. Therefore, in order to preserve the normal digestion of a child, one must carefully approach the choice of nutrition.

Most often with constipation, mixtures containing probiotics, lactulose, oligosaccharides, which are natural laxatives, are recommended. Also in the composition of such food should be less protein. Such mixtures are quickly digested and easily release the intestine.

A large amount of lactulose, which not only has a laxative effect, but also normalizes the intestinal microflora, contains the baby food Semper and HUMANA.There are mixtures of constipation from the producers "Agusha", "Grandma's basket", "Baby", Nutrilak and others. Usually they are more expensive, but it is better not to save the child's health.

In addition, there are many sour-milk mixtures that can be additionally introduced into the baby's diet. But it is better to do this after consulting a doctor, as cow's milk is very hard to digest.

It is not necessary to change the mixture and take measures against constipation, if there is a single delay in the stool of the baby, but it feels good. Each child is individual, so do not limit it to the frame and wait for it to empty the bowels by the clock.