Suggest Treatment For Severe Constipation In An Infant

Brief Answer:
It is probably normal for age

Detailed Answer:
Thanksks for asking on HealthcareMagic.

I have gone very carefully through your query and understand your concern. Let me remark that for a baby of this age, it is normal to pass stool several times a day or even once in 10 days and that is normal too. Unless the stool is hard and pellet like, you need not grow concerned.

Incidentally, constipation in children has become a very frequently encountered problem these days. The primary reason for the same is lack of adequate play as well as the lack of adequate amounts of fiber containing foods in diet. But that does not really apply for children of this age.

Going through the following link should help:
http://patient.info/health/constipation-in-children-leaflet

Enemas and glycerine suppositories can be used without any worries but the mainstay of treatment would be to increase the total dietary fiber consumption. Wheat, corn, and rice XXXXXXX are high in insoluble fiber, which helps prevent constipation. XXXXXXX can be sprinkled into his favorite foods, from hot cereal and pancakes to muffins and cookies. Many popular high-fiber cereals and bars are also packed with XXXXXXX Beans really are the magical fruit. Isabgol (psyllium husk) or senna can also be given as fiber supplements.

Make sure that he drinks plenty of water and goes to pass stool at a regular time every day (irrespective of whether he feels an urge to pass). This will demote stool holding habits and would promote regular bowel habits.

Let me know if I could help further.

Regards

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Brief Answer:
Suggestions given

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for writing back.

As already mentioned, even if the child does not pass stool in several days, it does not count as constipation and is to be considered normal for age. In any case, if you wish to intervene, the steps are correct and can be continued.

The weight of the child is fine. Solid food should definitely be started. You can start with thick liquids like dal water, porridge etc. and then move over to mashed solids like mashed boiled potatoes, mashed bananas etc. Thereafter start boiling pulses (dal) along with rice and vegetables and giving it in mashed form. Gradually introduce all sorts of food items, one item per week.

Let me know if I could help further.

Regards

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Brief Answer:
Can be given off and on as required

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for writing back. It is ok to pass stool once in a couple of days but finding traces of blood along with hard stool is not quite appreciable. Your doctor has done the right thing by adding milk of magnesia. It does not necessarily need to be stopped after 5 days but can rather be given off and on as required. Syr. Duphalac (lactulose) is another similar option that can be tried. Feel free to discuss with your doctor.

Regards

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