What Causes Reduced Bowel Movement In Infant?

Posted on Fri, 23 Oct 2015

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

Fri, 23 Oct 2015 Answered on

Sat, 14 Nov 2015 Last reviewed on

Question : my baby is 3months and he in not passing his stool as often as he should

Answered by Dr. Luchuo Engelbert Bain (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Eye ache treatable. Suspects park boys. Suggest you stay can she he comes

Detailed Answer:
Hi and thanks for the query

The most probable cause is a change in diet and feeding pattern . Have you introduced a new feeding formula lately? If yes, this is the most common cause.

If no, I suggest hygienic measures first. Drinking much water, fruits and vegetables.

Other rare causes like intestinal occlusion and colon cancers can cause obstruction. These are rare in children. An abdominal ultradound might be useful.

The opinion of the gastroenterologist might be needed in case results are non satisfactory.

Thanks and kind regards

Dr Bain

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T

Follow up: Dr. Luchuo Engelbert Bain (54 minutes later)

so is their anything i can use in the mean time

Answered by Dr. Luchuo Engelbert Bain (7 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Regular diet or formula for age, breastmilk, Laxative like Duphalac (Dr)

Detailed Answer:
Hi and thanks for the follow up query,

I think you just need to continue to breast feed him or use the usual adapted feeding formula for his age. It is not rare for children of this age at times to go for two to at times three days without stool. this should become disturbing of course if it is becomes recurrent.

For now, my suggestion is simply drinking much fluids and using breast milk or adapted formula and waiting. Laxatives like Duphalac syrup can be used only in very serious cases. And they are used when other serious causes of rare stool like occlusion have been excluded with exams like ultrasounds and CT scans.

I suggest calmness and maybe Duphalac syrup in case of persistence. the opinion of your doctor will be important then.

Thanks and kind regards, and sorry for responding this late

Dr Bain

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Neel Kudchadkar

Follow up: Dr. Luchuo Engelbert Bain (27 minutes later)

ok thanks

Answered by Dr. Luchuo Engelbert Bain (8 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Thanks you too as I wish the baby the best of health

Detailed Answer:
Thank you too and kind regards,

DR Bain

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Neel Kudchadkar

Follow up: Dr. Luchuo Engelbert Bain (13 hours later)

ok i didn't get the duphalac i got docusate drops what's the dosage i should give thank you

Answered by Dr. Luchuo Engelbert Bain (10 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Not advisable for the child considering his age

Detailed Answer:
Hi and thanks for query

I am sorry Docusate is not advisable for children under two years of age. Check if lactulose syrup is available under some other brand name. This syrup is considered safe in babies. Though adequate breast feeding should be enough to help him pass stools.

kind regards

Dr Bain
.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj

Follow up: Dr. Luchuo Engelbert Bain (22 minutes later)

ok thanks

Answered by Dr. Luchuo Engelbert Bain (3 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Thank you too

Detailed Answer:
Thank you too.

Dr Bain

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj

Follow up: Dr. Luchuo Engelbert Bain (3 days later)

Yes it helped but he's only taking Breast milk he won't take the formula and his XXXXXXX not full can he take something to open his hapitite

Answered by Dr. Luchuo Engelbert Bain (16 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Too early to give an appetite booster

Detailed Answer:
Hi and thanks for the query

I would prefer as he is on exclusive breast milk to watch him again for a couple of weeks. It is important to be sure there is no underlying illness before putting him on an appetite booster. conditions like underlying urinary tract infections in children , or ear infections at times could manifest themselves with loss of appetite .

I suggest patience and monitoring first. In case this persists a review from his oedistrician might be needed again before giving an appetite booster.

kind regards
.Dr Bain

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj