During your baby’s first few weeks of life he will tend to have a bowel movement between four and eight times per day. By the time your baby is four weeks old, he should producing about four stooled diapers a day. Some time around eight weeks of age, most babies will average one bowel movement per day. Babysitters and nannies have lots of experience with baby constipation. Formula fed babies will usually have more stooled diapers because there is more debris left over from the digestion of formula. Babies who are exclusively breastfed generally have looser stools and do not suffer from constipation. Once you introduce baby foods, the likelihood of constipation increases. When an infant is constipated, the longer the stool remains inside, the more moisture is removed by the intestines which makes the stool firmer and hard to pass. Long term it is best if you can keep your baby’s digestive system running smoothly rather than having to try to fix a constipation problem frequently.
Your choice of foods will have an impact on your baby’s stool. The following is babysitter quick overview of the effects of some common baby foods:
- Foods that tend to create firmer stools: Applesauce and rice cereal.
- Food that may be constipating: Carrots and squash.
- Foods that make stools softer: Apricots, peaches, peas, pears, plums, prunes.
If your baby’s stools are too firm and he is having some trouble passing them, here are some babysitter’s home remedies that you can try. First, try offering prune juice twice a day. A warm bath will sometimes help to relax the muscles that may be holding the stool in place. If these steps don’t help solve the problem, then it is a good idea to discuss the problem with your pediatrician. A good rule of thumb is that after two months of age if your baby if formula fed and does not poop for more than three consecutive days, you should contact your pediatrician. If your baby is breastfed and he goes more than six days without a bowel movement, you should contact your pediatrician. Other conditions that warrant an immediate doctor’s visit are constipation accompanied by vomiting or blood in the stool.
Many pediatricians recommend a stool softening powder called Glycolax. Using Glycolax was an amazing fix and it worked by just adding a small amount of the odorless and tasteless powder to water. As always, remember to check with your pediatrician before administering any medication to your baby.
If your baby is really having difficulty, a glycerin suppository dosed for infants and children can usually help solve even the worst constipation problems. Again, it is recommended to check with your pediatrician first. Once your baby is no longer constipated, start taking steps to prevent a reoccurrence by being aware of the foods that help and those that hinder easy digestion and elimination.
NannySOS is a confinement nanny agency providing confinement care with a team of experienced babysitters for your child. More information on babysitting services is available in our article Babysitter Singapore.