What Is The Cause And Treatment For Constipation In An Infant?

Posted on Mon, 12 Jan 2015

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

Mon, 12 Jan 2015 Answered on

Tue, 10 Feb 2015 Last reviewed on

Question : hi my baby aged 1 mnth is not passing proper stool and from last 3 days he has not passed and frequently cries and stomach is hard i consulted 2 doctors and the doctor gave Colimax, drops but then too no relief pls help

Answered by Dr. Diptanshu Das (45 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Burp the baby properly.Do not give top feeds.Exclusive breast feeding best

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for asking on HealthcareMagic.

Let me assure you that it is absolutely normal for a child of this age to be passing stool once in 10 days as is passing stool 10 times a day. Both are absolutely normal and there is nothing to worry about. Colimex can provide relief to a child crying which occurs mostly due to abdominal distension caused by entry of air during taking feeds. In order to relieve your child, I would strongly suggest that you burp the baby properly. Hold the child erect for about 20 mins after each feed and the child should be fine.

Please note that breast feed is the best possible food for a baby. In case the baby is receiving breast feeds, you need not worry. But formula feeds are primarily cow milk based and hence difficult to digest. In case formula feeds are being given, the child may get abdominal colics. In that case, switching over to breast milk should provide the child relief.

Hope that clarifies your queries.

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Regards
Dr. Diptanshu Das

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