Suggest Treatment For Foul Smelling Flatulence And Constipation

Posted on Fri, 20 Feb 2015

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Fri, 20 Feb 2015 Answered on

Tue, 17 Mar 2015 Last reviewed on

Question : my 4 month old boy hasn't been pooping in last 5 days. his farts are smelly . is this a cause for concern. what is the safest way to make him poop?

Answered by Dr. Arun (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
No cause for concern

Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thanks for writing to us.
It is very common for babies at this age to pass stools once in 3 to 5 days.
It is a normal phenomenon because mothers milk has less fibre to form stools and also because babies start digesting well and absorb most of the milk they swallow.
I usually advice my patients to wait for 7 days to see if stools come out.
So you can wait for two more days.
If baby is uncomfortable I advice them to keep baby soap cut into a small tablet shape and insert in the anus.
This is safe and stools will pass out along with the soap.
No harm done.
Wishing your baby good health.
Regards
Dr Arun

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar