Baby Constipation : My baby is making one bowel movement every two or three days. Is my baby constipated ?
We sometimes think that baby constipation is defined as having movements less often than adults. But that is an unreliable measurement, given that every individual has a personal sequence of elimination. Do not compare your child’s movements with yours.
A lot of bottle fed babies go three to four (3 to 4) days between movement. However they’re not considered to be constipated. You can say you’re baby is experiencing baby constipation only when those occasional movements look hard and firm in the diaper. Look also for bleeding from a fissure or crack in the an us resulting from forcing and pushing.
If your little baby’s movements are soft, do not worry. However, if you suspect baby constipation, consult your pediatrician. Giving your baby a little water (only when the doctor sais so) might help. For babies older than 4 months, a small amount of prune juice may ease constipation. Again, check with the doctor before offering it. Rarely, a milk allergy can cause constipation, in which case a switch of formulas might do the trick (again, only with the doctors approval)
And don’t take any other steps, such as giving laxatives (even mineral oil) enemas, of herbal teas without medical advice.