Porridge

Supplementing porridge is a common cause of constipation in babies because it usually contains less fiber than supplementary foods. It is precisely the high cereal content in the form of oat or rice flakes that often leads to disturbed stool emptying. The cereal content is very well suited to satiate a growing baby, which gradually needs more food for its growth. However, in addition to the beneficial dietary fibers, cereals also contain proteins that can lead to intestinal inertia in the colon. The result is delayed and more difficult defecation

Diagnosis

Parents can easily diagnose constipation in the baby themselves. They should pay attention to the frequency of the bowel movements and the nature of the stool in daily use. For babies on a pure breast milk diet, up to three bowel movements per day are normal. They should have a soft consistency. Only significant deviations from the norm should be clarified.

Associated symptoms

Constipation is merely a symptom that speaks for a disturbed defecation. It should be seen as a generic term for several physical abnormalities. If stool cannot be excreted, it accumulates in the bowel and leads to an increase in volume of the affected parts.

This is often seen in a baby with a bloated and hard belly. Of course, the unusually heavy filling of the intestinal loops can be painful for the baby because sensitive nerve endings in the intestinal mucosa are irritated.Babies with constipation are therefore often weepy and dissatisfied. If the constipation persists, there may even be a loss of appetite or even a refusal of breast milk.

A well observable sign of the development of constipation is the altered consistency of the bowel movement. If the stool becomes noticeably solid or even smells bad, this indicates a prolonged passage time in the intestine. This should be reacted to with an adapted fluid administration.

A thin stool can also indicate constipation. If hard stool blocks the passage of further intestinal contents, the child’s intestine reacts with increased muscle movements in the intestinal loops. The aim is to remove the obstacle.

If this does not succeed, however, liquid parts still pass the obstacle during the intestinal movements and can falsely simulate diarrhea. If the constipation persists, it can even lead to a loss of appetite or even the refusal of breast milk. A clearly observable sign of the development of constipation is the altered consistency of the bowel movement.

If the stool becomes noticeably solid or even smells bad, this indicates a prolonged passage time in the intestine. This should be reacted to with an adapted fluid administration. A thin stool can also indicate constipation.

If hard stool blocks the passage of further intestinal contents, the child’s intestine reacts with increased muscle movements in the intestinal loops. The aim is to remove the obstacle. If this does not succeed, however, liquid parts still pass the obstacle during the intestinal movements and can falsely simulate diarrhea.