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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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How Can Chronic Constipation In An Infant Be Treated?

Hi, I have a six month old baby who has been constipated for 3 days now. He has been passing very small and hard Stuhls with pain every now and then. I have given him plenty of water and prunes and a small Amount of orange juice but this hasn t changed anything. A pharmacist said that a glycerine suppository may help which I have used two hours ago but with no joy. Is it ok to wait a bit longer or should it have worked by now? It says on the packet it should work with an hour. TIA Beki
Mon, 20 Mar 2017
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General & Family Physician 's  Response
Hi Beki,

I am sorry that your six month old baby has been constipated. However, 3 days is not enough to call it constipation as long as your baby is passing small and hard stool.

It's good that you have given plenty of water and prunes. Kiwi can also help.
But, the most important thing is to wait a bit longer.

Glycerin suppositories are not recommended, instead can use anal enema after 5 days of passing no stool at all.

Your baby is passing small stool but hard, and I understand you are worried about your baby. It happens for the babies to get constipated especially if they change eating habits.

Furthermore, in certain points of their growing process, their intestines start absorbing all the nutrients in the food, finishing in being constipated.

I'd recommend to have warm baths by sitting your baby on a sink full of warm water to relax the anal muscles and help bowel emptying process.
Next, massage his tummy especially on the left lower abdominal part to help the bowels move.

Apply warm clothing on his tummy to ease the pain and bowel movement.

At the end, I highly recommend to wait for a few more days to see a full bowel movement. If not, send your baby to consult a pediatrician to rule out bowel obstruction.

All the best.
Dr.Albana
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How Can Chronic Constipation In An Infant Be Treated?

Hi Beki, I am sorry that your six month old baby has been constipated. However, 3 days is not enough to call it constipation as long as your baby is passing small and hard stool. It s good that you have given plenty of water and prunes. Kiwi can also help. But, the most important thing is to wait a bit longer. Glycerin suppositories are not recommended, instead can use anal enema after 5 days of passing no stool at all. Your baby is passing small stool but hard, and I understand you are worried about your baby. It happens for the babies to get constipated especially if they change eating habits. Furthermore, in certain points of their growing process, their intestines start absorbing all the nutrients in the food, finishing in being constipated. I d recommend to have warm baths by sitting your baby on a sink full of warm water to relax the anal muscles and help bowel emptying process. Next, massage his tummy especially on the left lower abdominal part to help the bowels move. Apply warm clothing on his tummy to ease the pain and bowel movement. At the end, I highly recommend to wait for a few more days to see a full bowel movement. If not, send your baby to consult a pediatrician to rule out bowel obstruction. All the best. Dr.Albana