HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

question-icon

Suggest Treatment For Severe Constipation In A Child

default
Posted on Fri, 2 Dec 2016
Question: Hello Doctor,

Our baby boy, XXXXXXX is now 5 months 16 days old now. He was passing stool once every other day from his 5th month. From the last 7-10 or so he is visibly uncomfortable, trying to push the stool hard. His poop is also occasionally pellet like and tarrish. We are feeding him two scoops of Nestum and boiled apple mixed with his mother's milk. we are also feeding him two spoons of water after these feeds.

Can you suggest ways to get him pass his stool comfortably. Please suggest ways to have his poop cycle regular as well.
He was exclusively breastfed until he completed 5 months and apart from the feeds, he is being breastfed.

Please suggest ways for him to pass stools with out straining.

Please let me know if you need additional information on this.

Thanks
doctor
Answered by Dr. Diptanshu Das (51 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Fiber foods need to be given

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for asking on HealthcareMagic.

I have gone very carefully through your query. Incidentally, constipation in children has become a very frequently encountered problem these days. The primary reason for the same is lack of adequate play as well as the lack of adequate amounts of fiber containing foods in diet.

Going through the following link should help:
http://patient.info/health/constipation-in-children-leaflet

The mainstay of treatment would be to increase the total dietary fiber consumption. You need to look into the choice of food items that you give in mashed form. Wheat, corn, and rice XXXXXXX are high in insoluble fiber, which helps prevent constipation. XXXXXXX can be sprinkled into foods, from hot cereal and pancakes to muffins. Beans really are the magical fruit.

Make sure that he is given to drink plenty of water along with food. Breast milk is to be continued alongside. Glycerine suppositories can be given if required.

Let me know if I could help further.

Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
default
Follow up: Dr. Diptanshu Das (5 minutes later)
Hi Doctor,

Can you sigguest baby foods that are rich in Wheat, corn, and rice XXXXXXX that are high in insoluble fiber, please. or can these can be prepared at home?

Also, some are suggesting not to give water until 6 months. Do you want us to give more water to him?

As you are saying beans, how do I give them to a 5 month old. Can you please explain the below highlighted part a bit more elaborately please

"The mainstay of treatment would be to increase the total dietary fiber consumption. You need to look into the choice of food items that you give in mashed form. Wheat, corn, and rice XXXXXXX are high in insoluble fiber, which helps prevent constipation. XXXXXXX can be sprinkled into foods, from hot cereal and pancakes to muffins. Beans really are the magical fruit. "

Thanks

doctor
Answered by Dr. Diptanshu Das (5 hours later)
Brief Answer:
A more detailed list provided.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for writing back.

Once solid foods are introduced into your baby's diet, his poop is going to change. Also, the intestines are more mature now. They can compact things and hold on to them longer. And because the body is taking longer to process the food, the stool is likely to be tighter and at a lesser frequency.

Home made food is better. Let me give you a more elaborate list. Consider your ABCs - applesauce, bananas, and cereal. When Baby's poops become more infrequent, harder, or difficult to pass, enlist the help of these foods to soften the situation:

Fiber is your first friend. Anything containing XXXXXXX known for it's high-fiber content, should help loosen up your baby's stool. Think fiber-rich cereals, whole-wheat pasta, and brown rice. Next are the P fruits, particularly pears, plums, peaches, and prunes. Their juice counterparts could also do the trick. Pear juice can be given. Some vegetables can also help: Try broccoli, beans, and Brussels sprouts. These may be grated form or may be boiled with rice and dal and given in boiled and mashed form. And don't forget water; sometimes the system just needs a good flushing to get working again.

Hopefully that clears your query.

Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T
doctor
default
Follow up: Dr. Diptanshu Das (22 hours later)
Hi Doctor,
I'm sorry if I'm a bit rude here. I have read this content as it is under the below link before contacting you. http://www.parents.com/baby/health/constipation/foods-that-cause-and-relieve-constipation-in-babies/

What I'm looking for is a suitable indianized chart mote of apersonalized chart for our baby.
When you said fiber, please suggest XXXXXXX foods that contain these that can be given to a 5-6 months baby.
Also about water, how much water do u recommend after each serving.

your previous answers have been very helpful and hence expecting the same from you this time around too

Thank yo
XXXX
doctor
Answered by Dr. Diptanshu Das (15 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Weaning is advisable from 6 months of age.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for writing back. I am glad that you found the previous answers helpful. However, I would like to apologize for the present answer not being satisfactory. However, applesauce, bananas, and cereal are all parts of an XXXXXXX diet. The first step would be to identify the fibre containing food sources. These may be grated form or may be boiled with rice and dal and given in boiled and mashed form. Basically it is what we call as khichdi, the XXXXXXX home made recipe.

Exclusive breast feeding is advisable upto six months of age. Weaning with semi-solid food is not usually recommended before 6 months of age. So long as the baby is breast fed, you need not worry about the frequency or consistency of stool. Till then, breast milk meets the fluid requirements of the baby. No water therefore needs to be given separately. However, after introduction of semisolids water needs to be given alongside. The amount is not rigid. You need to monitor the urine output as well as the thirst of the baby. If the child passes urine more than 6-8 times in 24 hours you may consider the fluid intake to be adequate.

Let me know if you have any further queries.

Regards
Note: For further queries related to your child health, Talk to a Pediatrician. Click here to Book a Consultation.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Diptanshu Das

Pediatrician

Practicing since :2005

Answered : 3878 Questions

premium_optimized

The User accepted the expert's answer

Share on

Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties

159 Doctors Online

By proceeding, I accept the Terms and Conditions

HCM Blog Instant Access to Doctors
HCM Blog Questions Answered
HCM Blog Satisfaction
Suggest Treatment For Severe Constipation In A Child

Brief Answer: Fiber foods need to be given Detailed Answer: Thanks for asking on HealthcareMagic. I have gone very carefully through your query. Incidentally, constipation in children has become a very frequently encountered problem these days. The primary reason for the same is lack of adequate play as well as the lack of adequate amounts of fiber containing foods in diet. Going through the following link should help: http://patient.info/health/constipation-in-children-leaflet The mainstay of treatment would be to increase the total dietary fiber consumption. You need to look into the choice of food items that you give in mashed form. Wheat, corn, and rice XXXXXXX are high in insoluble fiber, which helps prevent constipation. XXXXXXX can be sprinkled into foods, from hot cereal and pancakes to muffins. Beans really are the magical fruit. Make sure that he is given to drink plenty of water along with food. Breast milk is to be continued alongside. Glycerine suppositories can be given if required. Let me know if I could help further. Regards