What Causes Hard Stool And Difficulty During Defecation In A Child?

Posted on Wed, 16 Nov 2016

Question: Hello Doctor,
Our baby boy completed 5 Months yesterday. He is exclusively breastfed until now. For the last one month or so, he was passing stool once each day and from last two days he didn't pass any. Today he just pooped and it was little hard and the baby is visibly pushing hard to get it out. Anything to be concerned about this. Also every now and then when he passes gas it smells a bit, even the poop smells(not intense) a bit sometimes. Please advice

Thank you
XXXX

Answered by Dr. Diptanshu Das (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Not a cause for concern.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for asking once again on HealthcareMagic.

So long as the child is exclusively breast fed you need not worry even if the stool is tight or if the child strains a bit. It would also be acceptable if the child passes stool after a number of days. It is definitely acceptable for the stool to be smelly. All you need to do is to continue to breast feed your baby and give him enough feed.

Let me know in case of further queries.

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj

Follow up: Dr. Diptanshu Das (22 minutes later)

Thanks for your reply, doctor. that really helped. have one more question.
We are giving Just XXXXXXX Drops(Vitamin-D) and Iron Drops(Trifer) every morning as suggested by our Pediatrician. Also, our Pediatrician suggested we give Nestum stage-1. But in one of your previous replies you suggested us to wait until he completes 6 months. Do we give Nestum as mother's milk seems to be insufficient for the baby. Also how do you want us to give him nestum. with water or milk. if milk, cow milk?

Thanks for your response.

Answered by Dr. Diptanshu Das (30 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Medicines should be continued

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for writing back.

Please continue to give the medicines as directed but refrain from using Nestum and continue with exclusive breast feeding. No water is needed as mother's milk takes care ofthe fluid requirements.

Regards

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Veerisetty Shyamkumar