When should I start feeding my baby?

From the age of five to six months, an infant can be fed. Of course, one should start with foods that are easy to digest and can be prepared mushy, such as mashed bananas, potatoes or rice. However, this is also noticeable in the stool.

The stool can become somewhat darker and brownish in color. In addition, it becomes somewhat firmer, but is still to be classified as mushy. The smell also changes.

The milk stool, which is quite odorless, will now change into a stool with a stronger odor. Because of the fact that the baby is now also fed, it will also come into contact with food that it cannot yet digest completely. For example, undigested pieces of (cooked) carrots may be found.

Or the stool may take on the color of food. For example, beetroot and berries, such as blueberries, are very colorful and can therefore change color. This is no reason for concern. However, if undigested food is permanently present in the stool or if there is a suspicion that even easily digestible food is not properly decomposed and absorbed by the gastrointestinal tract, the pediatrician should be consulted.

How can I promote bowel movement in my baby?

If a baby is constipated, this can be addressed in a number of ways. It is important that these do not have any pathological causes. The following measures are suitable to promote bowel movement.

First of all, make sure that the baby drinks enough. A lot of water and unsweetened tea can be given so that the stool does not become so solid. Fruit juices such as pear or plum juice have also been shown to be effective as household remedies for infants.

However, it should be noted that these can contain a lot of sugar. Attention should also be paid to the diet.If the child has not yet been fed, the milk powder should be dosed correctly. Too high a concentration leads to a thicker milk and consequently to thicker stool.

If the baby has already been fed, a higher fiber diet can be offered. More vegetable gruel or bran will cause the intestinal passage to run faster, so that not so much liquid is removed from the stool. In addition, massages of the abdomen and gymnastic exercises with the legs can be used to stimulate intestinal motility.

Lactose or polyethylene glycol can also be administered orally, the latter being a non-digestible substance that binds water in the bowel so that the stool does not become so dry. If the constipation is very persistent, an enema can also be used after consulting the pediatrician. Utensils for this are available in the pharmacy. This involves the introduction of liquid into the intestine, which then liquefies the hardened and dry stool, making it easier to excrete.