Infant constipation

Constipation in infants can occur when stool is dry and hard. Which can make it difficult and painful for the infant to push out.

It is fairly common for babies on breast or formula milk to suffer from mild constipation. Breast-fed babies can have bowel movements up to 1 week apart. As long as the stool is soft and substantial in quantity and bowel movements are not painful, then there is no indication of constipation. Always consult a docter when in doubt.

A research about the knowledge and beliefs regarding infant constipation showed the following results:

38% of mothers said previous children have had constipation, which was all resolved with home treatments.

23% of the mothers reporting infant constipation mentioned this to their docters.

All of the mothers underestimated stool frequency from ages birth to one week, relative to previously published norms.

Mothers overestimated stool frequency at one week to one month, but this difference was not statistically significant.

The inability to pass stool was the description most frequently used to describe constipation. Pain was rarely mentioned.

The majority of mothers agreed with the statement, "Constipation is dangerous for babies."

Mothers reported learning about stool habits from previous personal experience, written materials, and their own mothers; impact of health-care professionals on their knowledge was minimal.

Infant constipation knowledge and beliefs