home » diaries » Green stool in infants: pathology or norm. What to do if the baby has constipation on artificial feeding Constipation in premature babies

Green stool in infants: pathology or norm. What to do if the baby has constipation on artificial feeding Constipation in premature babies

For new mothers, worrying about their baby is a completely natural phenomenon. The slightest change in the state of health and mood of the child cause anxiety. And if the usual type of stool changes to green, frothy or liquid, parents sound the alarm. The feces of the baby has a different composition and consistency, depending on the characteristics of the body of the newborn, the type of nutrition and mother's health. If the stool becomes an unusual color, the reasons lie not only in the presence of bacteria or the onset of the disease.

First toilet

In newborns, the intestines are filled with meconium, which leaves the body before 6-8 days of life. Its composition is a mixture of gland secretions, amniotic fluid, bile and intestinal cells, therefore green and dark green color but normal for meconium. Do not be afraid if the color of the feces is black - the baby's intestines are fully functioning, and very soon the contents of the diaper will be soft.

A week later, meconium stool is replaced by a transitional one, where blotches of a green tint may be present, which is also acceptable at this age for baby. In premature newborns, the process of normalizing the functioning of the intestines may be delayed, which should be taken into account by young mothers of these children. To understand why a baby has green feces, you need to pay attention to the types of feeding newborns.

natural feeding

With this type of diet, the causes of green stools are few:

Mom's diet. Iron-rich foods give stools a green tint. A similar reaction may occur when an unfamiliar product is introduced into the mother's menu.
Medicines. Iron-containing drugs and a number of antibiotics give the baby frothy stools, which can be yellow-green.
In the process of formation of the intestinal microflora, the stool changes its consistency (frothy, liquid) and color from dark black to light.
Manifestation of an allergy. Mom broke the diet - the baby has green stools.

Not all causes are listed, since the stool of breastfed newborns is varied. If the differences in consistency and color are not accompanied by a deterioration in the well-being of the baby, there is no reason to worry. If there are other negative symptoms, you should visit a pediatrician. Liquid foamy stools are a serious reason to reconsider the diet, excluding new and allergenic foods. The desire of the mother to feast on a small piece of the forbidden product is fraught with problems with the intestines of the newborn. An upset stomach will reduce the level of digestibility of nutrients, which will affect the health of the baby.

Green color in the feces of an infant with particles of mucus indicates lactose deficiency. The reasons lie in the violation of the balance of consumption of hind and foremilk. For the baby, the thick rear is more nutritious, but it is harder to get it, so the baby drinks the front and takes on the second breast. The result is an intestinal disorder that produces liquid green feces with foam. An additional symptom of this problem: insufficient weight gain of the newborn.

Normalizing lactation and accustoming the baby to one breast for each meal will help correct the situation. The chest will be adjusted to complete emptying, if you make it a rule to apply a newborn to each of them. After drinking the front non-caloric milk, the baby may cry for another. This is the usual laziness of an infant who wants to simplify the receipt of food, which subsequently develops into serious problems:

violation of the intestinal microflora of the baby
weight loss and possible weight loss
developmental delay

Artificial feeding

In "artificial" feces is different from other newborns. It has a thicker consistency and yellow-brown color. The appearance and composition are almost unchanged, since there is no influence from the mother's menu. But even such an infant may experience “greenness” in the diaper. . The reasons lie in the composition of the mixture: with an iron content, the feces acquire a greenish tint. If the diet has changed to a more suitable one, but there are no changes, you need to see a doctor.

It is important to sterilize feeding bottles, and not just rinse them, so as not to introduce an infection into the fragile body of the newborn. Liquid feces in a baby is a signal of problems with the intestines, which requires medical intervention. You can not store the mixture for longer than the specified period in finished form, and it is advisable to choose food for the child together with the doctor. All newborns have their own developmental characteristics, so the mixture should be individual.

These drugs include "Bifiform Baby"

You can also use products based on lactulose. Such means include, for example, "Duphalac" It acts gently, but very effectively. Plus, it's not addictive. The drug is produced in a convenient form of syrup, the dosage is prescribed depending on weight and age, on the recommendation of a doctor.

A premature baby will be helped to go to the toilet by glycerin suppositories, but they only help to move the feces without eliminating the problem itself and the causes, moreover, it is better to use them as little as possible.

Now you know why there are constipation in children born prematurely, as well as how to treat them.

For many years working at the Center for the Correction of the Development of Premature Infants of the Research Clinical Institute of Pediatrics and engaged in scientific research on the growth and development of these children, they are currently consulting at the Chaika Clinic. Elena Solomonovna released a guide for parents about what the family of a premature baby has to go through and how to maintain love and friendship. We publish its continuation.

Physical development of a premature baby (weight and height gain)

The first concern of the parents of a premature baby is the problem of weight gain. And indeed it is of paramount importance as the main indicator of the physical well-being of the baby.

It should be noted that the growth rate physical indicators(body weight, length, head and chest circumference) in a premature baby will differ significantly from those of his full-term peers. At least up to 6-9 months your baby will be “smaller”, and at this time obligatory weight control becomes of primary importance: in the first weeks and months of life, daily (at the same time, it is necessary to take into account the correct daily weighing of the child, which must be carried out in the same time, preferably before the first morning feed or in the evening before bathing), and then monthly.

What should be your first concern? This is a drop in body weight or the absence of its increase (the baby "stands" in weight).

The reasons can be both quite serious and due to feeding errors, insufficient breast milk in the mother. Naturally, in any case, you need to consult with the child's leading doctor to clarify the causes and eliminate them. I repeat, with a one-time consultation of a pediatrician, the condition of a child born prematurely and very different from full-term peers can be assessed as more severe than it actually is.

Digestive problems in a premature baby

The main problems of the digestive system in a premature baby, which almost all parents face, are:

Intestinal colic

Colic is derived from the Greek kolikos, which means "colon pain". Colic - paroxysmal pain in the abdomen, accompanied by severe anxiety of the child. The attack, as a rule, begins suddenly, the child screams loudly and more or less continuously, reddening of the face or pallor of the nasolabial triangle may be noted. The abdomen is swollen and tense, the legs are pulled up to the stomach and can instantly straighten up, the feet are often cold to the touch, the arms are pressed to the body. The attack sometimes ends only after the child is completely exhausted. Often noticeable relief comes after the passage of feces and gases.

Premature babies are particularly prone to colic, with some babies experiencing frequent and intense seizures that can be compared to labor pain in severity, and will certainly require medical intervention. Apparently, the main cause of these sufferings of the baby is the immaturity of the neuromuscular apparatus and the enzymatic system of the intestine and, therefore, the tendency to increased gas formation. As a result, pressure on the intestinal wall increases and muscle spasm occurs.

The cause of discomfort and bloating can also be irrational feeding. Some foods, especially those high in carbohydrates, can contribute to excessive fermentation in the intestines. Intestinal allergies also cause a baby to cry due to abdominal discomfort.

But the causes of colic are not limited to these conditions. It is important to diagnose diseases requiring surgical intervention in a timely manner. Therefore, in the absence of the effect of the usual measures aimed at eliminating colic (special carminative herbal teas, preparations of simethicone Sub / Simplex, Espumizan, cleansing enema, use of a gas vent tube, abdominal massage, dry heat on the abdomen), the child should be carefully examined in a medical institution.

regurgitation syndrome

The regurgitation syndrome can also bother the parents of a premature baby. The most common cause of this is immaturity and temporary (transient) hypotension of the smooth muscles of the stomach - the so-called "duodeno-gastric reflux". Most often this occurs in premature babies who have been fed for a long time through a tube. Aerophagia (when a baby greedily swallows air along with food) can also be a possible cause of regurgitation. Masses during regurgitation look plentiful due to their binding with air and usually do not change the baby's well-being in any way. In this case, you need to be patient and wait until the baby's stomach "ripens", while observing the recommendations for proper feeding, holding the baby vertically after feeding for 10-15 minutes. Medicines are best given to the child before feeding. However, there are situations in which an urgent consultation of a specialist is necessary: if there are streaks of blood in the regurgitation masses, if the regurgitation is so abundant that the child does not gain weight well, if the baby’s health is disturbed when regurgitation occurs - do not hesitate, consult a doctor!

Diarrhea and constipation

Dyspepsia (diarrhea and constipation), changes in the structure of the stool, the appearance of mucus and impurities in a premature baby is a frequent and exciting phenomenon for parents and pediatricians. It is necessary to determine what should not cause concern to parents.

At breastfeeding a child may have a stool after each feeding, along with gases (foamy) and quite liquid. In children receiving mixtures, stools are rarer - 3-4 times a day. A change in the quality and color of the stool also occurs with the late formation of intestinal enzymes in a premature baby, the difficulty in digesting fats or carbohydrates.

The most common problem in a premature baby is the temporary absence of stool or delayed stool evacuation. There is no stool for several days, the child strains to no avail. When defecation occurs, the stool as a whole is not changed in consistency, which does not allow us to call it constipation in the generally accepted sense of the word.

It will take some time to make it easier for the child to defecate, there is nothing wrong with that if you do it with the knowledge and under the supervision of a doctor.

The cause of all violations of the functional state of the gastrointestinal tract is immaturity.

However, proper feeding is the best and natural cure. Breast milk is perhaps the best thing a mother can give to her baby. At the birth of a premature baby, milk, as it were, adapts to the immature intestines, so that the hormones necessary and coming from the mother, and active metabolites, protective substances and enzymes contribute to the faster maturation of all organs.

That's why breast milk and the possibility of breastfeeding must be tried to maintain by all means. However, if there is still not enough milk, and you were forced to replace it with formula, then it is most advisable to use special mixtures for premature babies. In any case, it is important to coordinate the use of mixtures with your pediatrician.

The main criterion for the fact that all the changes you observe in the gastrointestinal tract are not diseases that require urgent therapeutic measures is a sufficient increase in the child's body weight and the absence of a pronounced pain syndrome in the child

Anemia of prematurity

Almost all premature babies have a drop in hemoglobin, which is called anemia. The cause of anemia is the same immaturity. In premature babies, the so-called “fruit” hemoglobin is determined for a longer time, which is destroyed faster, and the ability to form a new one is reduced. At the same time, hemoglobin carries oxygen, which is necessary for the functioning of all cells and their maturation. Controlling hemoglobin levels is very important.

A premature baby needs to be prevented from anemia and treated in time if hemoglobin drops to 100g/l.

Rickets of prematurity

Rickets is a deficiency in the formation of vitamin D in the body and the entry of calcium into the cells, which is necessary for the growth of bone tissue and the formation of neuromuscular regulation.

Deficiencies in vitamin D formation and calcium absorption are associated with immaturity. This slows down the development of the child. The baby becomes more irritable, sweaty, sleep is disturbed, hair falls out, growth and weight gain slow down. The bones become "weak" and may twist. A premature baby requires mandatory prophylactic use of vitamin D preparations, and with clinically obvious manifestations of rickets, treatment with vitamin D and calcium preparations.

Condition of the skeletal system and joints

The phenomena of morphofunctional immaturity in a premature baby often extend to the musculoskeletal system. Imperfection of the neuromuscular regulation, weakness of the ligaments, excessive mobility of the joints can lead to changes in the correct position of the limbs, head and spine of the child.

Often the baby keeps his head in a fixed position on one side. The reason for this may be a congenital shortening of the neck muscles on one side, a traumatic injury to the spine or cervical muscles during the removal of the head during childbirth, or just a “usual” position of the head, that is, the child “lyed” in this position most of the time in the uterus. The doctor always establishes the correct diagnosis, and the sooner this happens, the more effective the treatment will be.

Prematurity, especially in combination with an abnormal intrauterine position of the fetus, is usually accompanied by underdevelopment of the hip joints or "dysplasia". The most severe variant of this pathology is a dislocation of the hip joint. Diagnosis is established shortly after birth and requires early treatment based on hip abduction. Currently, an effective method in identifying abnormalities in the development of the joints is ultrasound scanning, which is mandatory for all children in the first months of life.

For premature babies, the most diagnostically reliable period is 3-4 months of the corrected age for assessing the condition of the hip joints. In more early dates the risk of error is very high due to their natural immaturity.

Premature eye disease

Retinopathy of prematurity (RP) is an eye disease of premature babies that can even lead to permanent loss of visual function.

The possibility of developing ROP is associated with the term and body weight at birth, the presence of severe changes in the respiratory, circulatory and nervous systems, as well as the adequacy of the measures taken to nurse the baby.

This disease was first identified in a premature baby in 1942. Then it was called retrolental fibroplasia. Until now, the causes of the onset, progression and spontaneous regression of the disease are not completely clear and are only being studied.

At this stage in the development of ophthalmology, it is indisputable that the development of retinopathy occurs precisely in an immature infant, as a violation of the normal formation of retinal vessels (which is completed by the 40th week of intrauterine development, i.e. by the time a full-term baby is born). It is known that up to 16 weeks of intrauterine development, the fetal retina does not have blood vessels. Their growth into the retina starts from the point of exit of the optic nerve towards the periphery. By the 34th week, the formation of the vasculature in the nasal part of the retina is completed (the optic disc, from which the vessels grow, is closer to the nasal side). In the temporal part, the growth of blood vessels continues up to 40 weeks. Based on the foregoing, it becomes clear that the earlier the child was born, the smaller the area of the retina covered with vessels, i.e. an ophthalmological examination reveals more extensive avascular, or avascular, zones (if the child was born before the 34th week, then, accordingly, the avascular zones of the retina are detected on the periphery from the temporal and nasal sides). After the birth of a premature baby, various pathological factors act on the process of vascular formation: external environment, light, oxygen - which can lead to the development of retinopathy.

The main manifestation of RH is the stoppage of the normal formation of blood vessels, their germination directly into the eye into the vitreous body. The growth of the vascular and, after it, the young connective tissue causes tension and detachment of the retina.

As mentioned earlier, the presence of avascular zones on the periphery of the fundus is not a disease. This is only evidence of underdevelopment of retinal vessels, and, accordingly, the possibility of developing retinopathy in the future. Therefore, from the 34th week of development (or from the 3rd week of life) of the child, it is necessary that your child is examined by an ophthalmologist, a specialist in retinopathy of prematurity, who has special equipment for examining the retina. Such monitoring is necessary for all children born before 35 weeks and with birth weight less than 2000 g.

If signs of ROP are detected, examinations are carried out every week (with the so-called "plus" stage of the disease - every 3 days) until the threshold stage develops (at this stage, the issue of preventive surgical treatment is decided) or the disease completely regresses. With the regression of the pathological process, the examination can be carried out 1 time in 2 weeks. The examination is carried out with the obligatory expansion of the pupil, using special children's eyelid dilators, so as not to put pressure on the eye with fingers.

Most often, the threshold stage of ROP develops by the 36-42nd week of development (1-4 months of life), so the parents of a premature baby should know that during this period he should be examined by a specialist (an ophthalmologist who has special equipment and is aware of the signs of active retinopathy ).

Active retinopathy is a staged pathological process that can end in regression with the complete disappearance of the manifestations of the disease or cicatricial changes.

According to the international classification, active retinopathy is divided into stages of the process, its localization and extent:

1 stage. The appearance of a dividing line at the border of the vascular and avascular retina.

2 stage. The appearance of a shaft (solid line) at the place of separation.

It should be emphasized that in 70-80% of cases with 1-2 stages of ROP, a spontaneous cure of the disease is possible with minimal residual changes in the fundus.

Stage 3 is characterized by the appearance of growth of retinal vessels into the vitreous body in the area of the shaft. With a short duration of the process, as in the first two stages, spontaneous regression is possible, but the residual changes are more pronounced.

When the growth of vessels inside the eye has spread over a fairly large area, this condition is considered to be the threshold stage of ROP, when the progression of ROP becomes almost irreversible and requires urgent preventive treatment.

The effectiveness of prophylactic laser and cryocoagulation of the avascular retina ranges from 50-80%. Timely treatment can significantly reduce the number of adverse outcomes of the disease. If the operation is not performed within 1-2 days after the diagnosis of the threshold stage of retinopathy, then the risk of developing retinal detachment increases dramatically. It should be noted that with the development of retinal detachment, cryo-, laser coagulation is not possible. The further prognosis for the development of vision in such an eye is extremely unfavorable.

The operation is often performed under anesthesia (local anesthesia is less often used) in order to avoid oculocardial and oculopulmonary reactions. Evaluation of the results of treatment is carried out after a few days to decide whether to repeat the procedure. The effectiveness of preventive treatment can be judged 2-3 weeks after the formation of scars at the site of the shaft. If the treatment was not carried out or the effect was not achieved after the treatment (severe ROP), terminal stages develop.

4 stage. Partial retinal detachment.

5 stage. Complete retinal detachment.

Even if the process has reached stages 4 and 5, it is necessary to carry out a whole range of therapeutic and surgical measures aimed at preventing severe cicatricial changes.

Separately, the “plus” disease is singled out as the most unfavorable form of active retinopathy. The disease begins early, has no clearly defined stages, progresses rapidly and leads to retinal detachment before reaching the threshold stage. The pathological process is characterized by a sharp dilation of the retinal vessels, pronounced edema of the vitreous body, hemorrhages along the vessels, dilation of the vessels of the iris, often with the inability to expand the pupil. The effectiveness of treatment for "plus" disease is still low.

If the active process has reached 3 or more stages in its development, then after its completion (with or without preventive treatment), cicatricial changes of varying severity form on the fundus.

1 degree - minimal changes in the periphery of the fundus;

Grade 2 - dystrophic changes in the center and on the periphery, remnants of scar tissue;

Grade 3 - deformation of the optic disc, with displacement of the central parts of the retina;

4 degree - the presence of retinal folds, combined with changes characteristic of the 3rd stage;

Grade 5 - complete, often funnel-shaped, retinal detachment.

With the first and second degrees, a sufficiently high visual acuity can be maintained, with the development of third or more degrees, a sharp, often irreversible decrease in visual acuity occurs.

Indications for surgical treatment of cicatricial stages of ROP are strictly individual, determined by the degree and localization of retinal detachment, as well as the general somatic condition of the child. In any case, the functional and anatomical effectiveness of operations is noticeable only up to 1 year of life, when it is possible to improve visual acuity and create conditions for eye growth.

However, upon reaching the 5th stage of cicatricial ROP, the pathological process can continue and lead to the development of complications in the form of corneal clouding and secondary glaucoma. Therefore, with the development of contact between the cornea and the iris, urgent surgical treatment is necessary in order to save the eye (in this case, we are not talking about increasing visual acuity).

It should be noted that if a child has undergone even mild stages of active ROP or has unexpressed cicatricial changes, then it is considered that such children do not form a full-fledged retina. In the future, these children have a high risk of developing myopia, dystrophy and secondary retinal detachments. Based on this, children who have had ROP should be observed by an ophthalmologist at least 2 times a year until they reach the age of 18.

Successful nursing and subsequent development of premature babies, including the preservation of visual functions, is a difficult but quite feasible task, although it is difficult. Achieving a good rehabilitation result is the envy of the joint efforts of neonatologists, ophthalmologists and psychologists.

Formation of hearing and speech

There is no evidence that premature infants are more likely than full-term infants to have severe forms of hearing loss. However, in many of them, the formation of auditory function is slow. Hearing can be assessed by a hardware technique, which is now widely used and is called otoacoustic emission or an audio test. Taking into account the characteristics of a premature baby, it is possible to reliably judge the passing of the test only at the age of 4 months of the corrected age. Until that time, there will be many false negative results, which are explained by the same immaturity of the child, but cause a huge number of unnecessary worries. Late formation of auditory function leads to more late start cooing, difficulty with the child's speech in the future. Complex features lead to the fact that the child begins to speak later and many sounds are pronounced incorrectly (perhaps the child hears them that way). All this gradually normalizes, but most premature babies will need the help of a speech therapist and it is advisable to start classes earlier than recommended for full-term babies, for example, at 2.5-3 years, depending on the overall development of the child.

What happens to the immune system of a premature baby?

Will he often get sick with colds?

Numerous studies in our country and abroad dispelled the prejudice about the "weakness" of the immune system of a premature baby. Just like in full-term children, it is formed in the first three years of life and differs slightly in terms of indicators. Just like full-term babies, when breastfed, the formation of the immune system is faster and its activity is higher, but not so much as to say that without breast milk, your child is not at all protected.

Why do premature babies get sick more often and more severely? There are several explanations for this: Premature babies are more likely to visit healthcare facilities where the risk of infection is high. Premature babies are very guarded by their parents, they often overheat and this inhibits the development of the immune system. Premature babies with illnesses often develop bronchospasm, respiratory failure, they are more often hospitalized and more often prescribed antibiotics, which also weakens the formation of immune defenses. All this determines the approaches and tactics that parents of a premature baby should follow, and this should be taught by a doctor who knows the characteristics of the child and, most importantly, is not afraid that he was born prematurely.

Should premature babies be vaccinated?

Must and must! Actually, vaccinations are for them. Because strong and strong child, most likely, will easily transfer any infection, but for an “immature” and poorly protected premature baby, any severe infection can be fatal.

Previously, neonatologists made a withdrawal for a premature baby up to a year old. Today, this concept is being revised around the world. It has been proven that the immune system is more ready to produce antibodies in the first months of life. Judge for yourself: any child is born completely “sterile” and from the very first seconds is faced with many viruses that are common around us, and with bacteria that inhabit surfaces and our bodies. However, he defends himself with sufficient ease, except for the situation of super-massive impacts (intensive care unit, significant concentrations of sick children and adults).

However, there are still limitations - these are both acute conditions, which are temporary, but absolute contraindications to vaccination, and some chronic conditions: and this is, first of all, the defeat of the central nervous system. These include absolute contraindications - decompensated hydrocephalus and convulsions.

And yet, only the attending physician can tell if your child is ready for vaccinations, explain in detail to you what vaccinations and against what diseases your baby is required, whether any examinations are needed, for example, an ECG or EEG. This is a very important decision that requires great knowledge of the doctor, self-confidence and your child. On the other hand, the importance of this decision is to protect your baby as much as possible from possible severe infections, which, unfortunately, abound in any society, realizing how difficult it will be for a premature baby to endure these diseases.

What is the prevention of respiratory syncytial virus infection and why should it be carried out?

One of the most serious diseases of a premature baby in the 1st year of life is RSV infection. This is a very common disease. In fact, almost all children under 2 years of age at least once suffer this viral infection.

This infection proceeds like a cold, but its peculiarity is the defeat of the lower respiratory tract, like pneumonia or, terminologically, alveolitis. Alveolitis is an inflammation of the most terminal parts of the respiratory tract - the alveoli, where gas exchange occurs. Thus, if the alveoli become inflamed, then the person begins to suffocate from a lack of oxygen and the accumulation of carbon dioxide in the body. This infection is especially severe in premature infants, who already have a very immature broncho-alveolar tree, many have signs of broncho-pulmonary dysplasia. In severe cases, children require hospitalization, resuscitation, mechanical ventilation, antibiotic therapy, etc., not to mention severe psychological trauma for the baby and the whole family.

Over time, when faced with this virus, the child develops antibodies and after 2-3 years the virus becomes practically not dangerous and the disease proceeds like a normal ARVI.

But! These 2 years must be lived. IN last years A preparation was developed, created and widely distributed, which is a purified antibody to the respiratory syncytial virus. The introduction of these antibodies protects the child from the disease, not only with this virus, but also with other similar viruses, and the child as a whole begins to get sick less.

Today, the country has the drug SINAGIS, which is very expensive in price, as it is an ultra-purified monoclonal antibody. Effective protection against the virus requires 3-4 injections with an interval of 30 days during the most dangerous epidemiological period - approximately from November to March. The introduction of the drug is not a vaccination, but a passive immunization: when it is not the child's body that produces antibodies, but they are already administered. Therefore, repeated administration is required during the first year with strictly observed intervals.

In the near future, it is possible that there will be other drugs of similar action in the country, most likely cheaper and more affordable. But this still needs to be verified.

We tried to tell in an accessible form about the most common problems of the first year of a premature baby's life. All of them require attention, observation and timely treatment.

We repeat once again why you need to monitor the first year of life of a premature baby:

The development of the child, the formation of his psycho-motor functions requires a monthly assessment by one specialist. You should carefully observe the baby in order to tell the doctor about the child's behavior as truthfully and objectively as possible.
Weight gain, which indicates the sufficiency of absorption and assimilation of nutrients. Premature babies tend to have reduced appetite, and sometimes it is a big problem to feed such a child. The more premature the child is, the more pronounced the violation of the absorption of nutrients and the worse the weight gain. In this case, the use of special preparations that improve the energy state of the cells can help to cope with this.
Prevention or, if necessary, treatment of rickets.
Prevention and, if necessary, treatment of anemia.
Relief for the child of "intestinal colic", control of the state of the gastrointestinal tract, correction of regurgitation. Rational feeding. Mandatory consultation to resolve the issue of the timeliness of the introduction of complementary foods.
Control of the state of the nervous system, timely conduct of special examinations to determine the maturation of brain structures, to control the manifestation of hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (if your baby had a hemorrhage or periventricular leukomalacia, if he had meningitis or encephalitis).
Monitoring the state of the respiratory system, especially if the child has been on a ventilator for more than 3 days. Remember that in the case of the formation of bronchopulmonary dysplasia in a child, it is necessary to carefully monitor the color of the child's skin and his breathing (the child begins to breathe "heavy" and often), since periods of exacerbations are possible (in case of any doubt, it is better to contact the doctor observing your baby) . If such a baby gets sick, he often develops an "obstructive syndrome", which requires urgent treatment.
Control of the state of the heart, especially in children with bronchopulmonary dysplasia. It is especially important for such children to control physical activity, dosed prescribe massage and physical methods of rehabilitation.
Monitoring the condition of the musculoskeletal system, in particular the hip joints, as a violation of the development of these joints will not allow the child to sit down, stand up and walk properly.
Monitoring the state of the organs of vision
Hearing control.

Thus, there are a lot of problems. It is almost impossible to treat everything at the same time - the baby simply cannot withstand such a load. Therefore, when assessing the child's condition, it is necessary to determine the primary task, which to a greater extent disrupts the normal development of the baby and requires urgent correction. Only a specialist can decide this.

Happiness, health and good luck to you and your kids!

Usually artificial people or infants on mixed feeding, but infants are also at risk. What is the cause of constipation and babies, how to avoid it, what emergency measures can be taken and how to ensure comfortable digestion for the baby are tasks of paramount importance. The frivolous attitude of parents to this problem or the use of drugs and methods of treatment that are not agreed with the pediatrician is fraught with a lot of complications for the crumbs at an older age.

What can be considered constipation in a baby?

From a medical point of view, constipation in a child under one year old is considered to be difficulty in defecation or lack of bowel movement over the past 24 hours. This concept is rather vague, since it is closely related to the specific age of the child: in a bottle-fed baby and in an infant, the frequency and consistency of the stool will vary significantly. For example, for newborns under the age of one month, the norm is to empty the intestines in as much quantity as there were meals. This is with breastfeeding. For an artificial child, the norm is only 2 - 3 bowel movements per day.

Of great importance is the instability of the intestines of the baby. Without the help of a specialist, it is quite difficult to determine when the baby is suffering from constipation, and when a decrease in stool frequency is just physiological feature development of a small organism. Therefore, it is important to control not only the number of "adventures", but also the consistency, smell, density and color of feces, the behavior of the child before and during defecation.

Feces of babies up to six months old have a semi-liquid consistency. He yellow color, without an unpleasant odor, may contain particles of undigested breast milk in the form of curdled inclusions. The artificial feces are denser, may have a characteristic specific smell.

Signs and symptoms of constipation

The main thing to pay attention to is the general condition of the child and the consistency of feces. Symptoms that indicate constipation include:

a child with constipation is naughty, crying;
restless behavior of the child during defecation: the baby often strains, but straining does not lead to any result, expression of pain on the face, attempts, crying;
any attempt to empty the intestines is accompanied by cries and restless movements of the baby;
feces with constipation in infants are hard: either it looks like peas, or its first portion looks like a “cork”, followed by a mushy mass;
incomplete bowel movement;
regular stool retention for 1 - 2 days;
restless sleep;
refusal to eat;
lack of gases;
causeless crying;
bloating;
pulling the knees to the chest;
vomit.

The manifestation of one or two of these signs does not yet mean that the baby has constipation, but if there are several symptoms, you can be quite sure of the diagnosis and begin treatment. First of all, be sure to contact the pediatrician observing the child. It is necessary to exclude the possibility of an intestinal reaction to medications taken, new foods, the start of complementary foods, and other factors that provoke difficulties in the gastrointestinal tract. Be sure to diagnose dysbacteriosis, allergic reactions and other digestive pathologies. A nursing mother should urgently introduce into the diet products that activate the motility of the smooth muscles of the intestine: boiled prunes, beets, pumpkin. For children after six months, in the absence of allergies, these products can also be used as complementary foods.

If the child is calm, does not refuse the breast or bottle, and bowel movements do not cause him discomfort, then this is definitely not constipation. In newborns, mother's milk or formula can be absorbed so well that they simply have nothing to go to the toilet with.

If the listed problems are still present, then before treating constipation, it is necessary to find out the causes.

Causes of constipation

In the early stages of constipation, it is quite easy to deal with it, simply by eliminating the causes that provoked constipation. These include:

This is an extremely relevant cause of constipation for formula-fed babies, especially in hot summers or winters when the air in the room is dry due to heating appliances. Be sure to increase the amount of water your child consumes. The popular pediatrician Komarovsky strongly recommends supplementing even breastfed newborns.

Irrational nutrition of a nursing mother, an adapted mixture that is not suitable for a child, a lack of products that stimulate the digestive tract (beets, pumpkin, dried apricots, figs, apples, peach, apricot, prunes and others)

When choosing a mixture for an artificial child, you should opt for baby food without iron in the composition. In the case of breastfeeding, the mother must exclude refined foods, tea, coffee, semi-finished products, rich fatty broths, bakery products, rice, nuts, bananas and other foods that “strengthen” from the diet. List of products for a nursing mother.

Taking certain medications by an infant or breastfeeding mother

Constipation is possible when taking antidepressants, antispasmodics. antibiotics, bismuth and iron preparations, NSAIDs, anticonvulsants, muscle relaxants. Acceptance and cancellation of any medication, both by the mother and the baby, must be pre-agreed with the pediatrician.

Causes the so-called "hungry constipation" in an infant. In this case, all the food consumed is absorbed into the walls internal organs and blood, and the intestines simply have nothing to process.

More often, the introduction of complementary foods contributes to the normalization of the digestive tract, but it can also cause difficulties with the stool. You should carefully monitor the reaction of the intestines to new dishes. Also, early introduction of complementary foods can contribute to constipation.

This is possible with a sharp loss of milk from the mother, replacing one adapted mixture with another, or an incorrect transition from one type of feeding to another. Usually constipation disappears after adaptation to a new food.

This is by no means a myth, as some people think. The body of a child, finding himself in unusual or uncomfortable conditions (for example, when a baby breaks up with his mother), responds to stress in this way. Also, the child may be afraid to recover because of the pain that occurs at this moment. In this case, it is necessary to try to return the normal mushy consistency to the baby's stool, adhering to the diet.

There is another reason for psychological constipation - a child can manipulate adults in this way. If any signs of constipation in a baby cause his parents to panic and the parents begin to constantly regret, comfort and fuss around the child, then the baby may deliberately delay the stool. The only way to treat this situation is to be calm about the problem.

An increase in body temperature can provoke a significant compaction of feces and lead to constipation.

It is extremely important that constipation itself can be one of the signs of serious diseases and pathologies, so it is important not to self-treat, but to consult a doctor. These diseases include:

genetic predisposition.
Anatomical defects of the gastrointestinal tract.
Diabetes.
Disorders in the digestive tract.
Rickets.
Diseases of the nervous system.
Myasthenia.
Violation of the functions of the spinal cord.
Liver diseases.
lactose deficiency.
Allergic reaction to protein in cow's milk.
food allergy.
Hypothyroidism.

Diseases that lead to constipation. Fortunately, these diseases are rare. These include dolichosigma, Hirschsprung disease and lactase deficiency.

Dolichosigma is an extension of the sigmoid colon. Bowel emptying is slowed down due to kinks and excessive pressure of the sigmoid colon on itself and the rectum;
Hirschsprung's disease occurs due to a violation of the innervation of the intestine. This leads to the fact that some parts of the intestine do not work and are in a spasmodic state;
Lactase deficiency appears due to the absence or small amount of an enzyme that breaks down milk sugar (lactase). In this case, constipation in the baby will be replaced by diarrhea.

Only a doctor can identify such constipation in a baby, and only a doctor decides what to do in this situation.

constipation treatment

The first task in the treatment of constipation is to determine its cause and eliminate it. To establish the normal functioning of the intestines of a newborn, you need:

Medical examination.
When breastfeeding, more frequent breastfeeding.
For a child on artificial nutrition - supplementing with special baby water (not boiled) between meals, while the volume of liquid should be equal to the volume of one serving.
For a baby older than 6 months - the introduction of apples and vegetables into the diet.
For a child after a year - soup, as a mandatory dish in the daily diet.

TO general recommendations in the fight against constipation also include: correction of the nutrition of the mother and baby, increasing the amount of fluid consumed, changing the nature of complementary foods or changing the adapted mixture to one that contains more lactobacilli.

Separately, we should dwell on the issue of complementary foods. Independent experts have long proven that store-bought juices, purees and other "jars for children", regardless of the manufacturer, are made with the addition of quite harmful substances and preservatives and are the strongest allergens for a child. Try to find some time to prepare really healthy complementary foods. From an ordinary carrot or apple, you will get many times more healthy and fortified puree or juice. The money saved on the purchase of the dangerous Agushi can be spent on a convenient blender or juicer, which will facilitate the preparation of complementary foods.

Enemas and laxatives should only be used as a last resort. They wash out beneficial microflora from the intestines: potassium, vitamins, protein, microelements; contribute to a decrease in the tone of the intestinal muscles, lead to a violation of the natural bowel cleansing reflex, and prevent the absorption of nutrients. Before resorting to these emergency measures in a panic, you should try milder and more harmless methods, which in most cases give a positive result. These methods include:

Tummy massage

It is aimed at relieving spasm, increasing intestinal tone and activating its peristalsis. It is performed with soft strokes with a slight pressure on the baby's stomach. Movements must be performed clockwise. You can additionally put a towel or a diaper ironed with an iron on the tummy of the crumbs. Just make sure that it is not hot, but warm. Warm baths and the warmth of the mother's body also help well: just lightly press the baby's tummy to your own stomach.

Mechanical stimulation of the intestine

It is performed by irritating the anus. Can be done using cotton swab richly lubricated with baby cream. The stick is inserted shallowly into the anus and gently rotated several times. Usually after a few minutes there is a bowel movement.

During the procedure, there is a risk of scratching the epithelium of the anus with a stick, so you need to act extremely carefully, with light movements, do not abuse this method.

For similar purposes, a special gas outlet tube is provided. It is also gently inserted into the rectum, which allows you to activate the process of defecation.

Glycerin suppositories

You can use special rectal suppositories for newborns. They quickly soften the feces and help cleanse the intestines. For a newborn, 1/3 of the suppository is enough. It must be carefully cut and, smoothing the sharp ends with your finger, slowly and gently insert into the anus.

If an hour after the introduction of the suppository, the child has not emptied the intestines, you should call a doctor. Sometimes suppositories can cause discomfort: burning, itching, allergic reactions, so glycerin suppositories also apply to emergency measures.

There is an old and allegedly effective "grandmother's" method of treating constipation, in which a bar of soap is used instead of a glycerin suppository. You need to know that this is a very dangerous method: soap contains alkali and other harmful substances that can cause rectal burns. Even when using baby soap it is difficult to guarantee that it is made without hazardous components.

Enema

An enema is considered an emergency remedy for constipation. A syringe (20 - 30 ml) with cooled boiled water or a decoction of medicinal chamomile is injected to a depth of no more than 1.5 cm into the anus of the baby and slowly injects all the liquid. The required liquid temperature is about 37 °C. It is advisable to dissolve a pinch of salt in the enema water and add a couple of drops of pharmaceutical glycerin. When buying a syringe, opt not for a plastic one, but for a rubber or silicone tip, they are less traumatic. Pre-syringe tip should be generously lubricated with baby cream or oil. Too warm water should not be used: it will simply be absorbed into the intestinal walls, and desired result will not be reached.

A modern analogue of an enema with a milder effect is Microlax, designed specifically for newborns. It is a microclyster based on a water-salt solution with the addition of glycerin. The effect of Microlax occurs a quarter of an hour after application. You must first read the instructions for use, and do not insert the tip into the rectum further than the drawn line.

These methods can be used as emergency measures, especially with regular constipation. Frequent use of an enema disrupts the functioning and favorable microflora of the intestinal tract and causes dysbacteriosis, which will have to be treated with probiotics.

Laxatives

Taking laxatives is only necessary when nothing else helps. To a baby up to a year, most laxatives are contraindicated. The exception is Dufalac syrup and similar preparations based on lactulose. To call a bowel movement, Duphalac must be given to the crumbs in a volume of 5 ml. If the baby is breastfed, then the remedy can also be used by a nursing mother.

A six-month-old child can take the drug Forlax. Its great advantage is the duration of use up to three months.

Before using any remedy, remember that only the attending physician can prescribe medications, and emergency measures are allowed to be used only when absolutely necessary: when all methods of treating constipation have been ineffective.

Often in young children, the tummy hurts. How to help a child? What are the best treatments for constipation in an infant? Do I need to use drugs or can I get by with folk remedies? All these questions are answered by the pediatrician of the "Home Doctor" with extensive experience Orlova Galina Viktorovna:

Preventive measures

The simplest and effective method treatment is the prevention of disease. The health of children under the age of one year requires constant monitoring and attention. Do not wait for the first signs of constipation, immediately begin preventive measures.

A simple but effective way is very useful: before feeding, lay the baby on the tummy for a few minutes, after eating, wear the crumbs for several minutes in a column;
Do gymnastics regularly. To do this, lay the baby on its back, gently and smoothly lift its legs bent at the knees and lightly press it against the tummy. Repeat several times, avoiding sudden movements. It is also useful to do the exercise "bicycle";
Provide the crumbs with the necessary amount of liquid. Instead of tea and juices, it is better to drink special bottled baby water. You don't need to boil it. When introducing complementary foods, juices must be diluted with water;
If the baby is more than 4 months old, prune juice is excellent for constipation. Two teaspoons is enough. After six months, you can use mashed prunes. Equally effective as fresh fruits and dried fruits. You can add prunes to compotes;
Don't wrap your baby. Overheating, along with dehydration, is one of the main causes of constipation. This is also true for colds and infectious diseases: if the baby has a temperature, drink it as often as possible, otherwise constipation after the illness cannot be avoided;
Effective drinks for constipation - dried fruit compote with dried apricots and prunes, raisin water. To prepare it, it is enough to pour a spoonful of pure raisins with boiling water and insist in a thermos;
Give preference to vegetables with a "laxative effect" and a high content of coarse fiber, fruits rich in potassium. These are figs, green apples, prunes, dried apricots, beets, carrots, peaches, apricots, pumpkins. The same products should be introduced into the diet of a nursing mother;
Extremely useful for the intestinal microflora are preparations with bifidobacteria and lactobacilli, fermented milk products, natural yoghurts. They are shown to both the child and the mother;
Try to breastfeed your baby for as long as possible, the first six months are especially important. If this is not possible, give preference to sour-milk adapted mixtures;
If necessary, antibiotic treatment, at the same time as taking them, begin to give funds for the prevention of dysbacteriosis.

There is no need to panic if the baby has constipation. The first step to recovery is to identify and eliminate the causes of the disease. But do not self-medicate and do not use grandmother's treatment methods without consulting a doctor. Most often, it is enough to improve nutrition, drink more fluids and do not forget about massage and gymnastics so that the ailment recedes. In emergency situations, Dufalac, glycerin suppositories or an enema will help. Pay maximum attention to the treatment of constipation. The formation and normalization of the gastrointestinal tract in the first year of life is the key to the future health of the child.

On the subject of newborn stools:

VIDEO: what to do with constipation

Being already an experienced mother of two wonderful children, she still faced constipation in the baby. Advice on forums, a consultation with a pediatrician, as well as banal intuition help - because sometimes a mother's instinct is the best diagnosis of a baby's condition.

From the age of 2 months, our baby suffered from constipation, she took dufalac, 5 ml per day, it helped, but the discomfort was still felt. As soon as they began to introduce complementary foods, everything went away instantly, she began to poop 2-3 times a day. The sooner you introduce complementary foods to children suffering from constipation, the better.

I came to this site three months later, after looking for answers and advice for myself. My baby is already 5 months old. Problems with the stomach behind. This is my second child and I am writing with confidence about how to be moms who are faced with this problem.

First: do not start trying everything in a row - patience in this matter is the key to success. Secondly: you need to be 100% sure that the cause of crying is the tummy. Thirdly: do not forget about yourself, children need a healthy mother (it’s better not to stroke the diapers once again, but be sure to have a snack and take a nap).

Take Dufalac aside, it will give gas (100% sleepless night), which helped my baby: any kind of tea with dill (and you need to drink the liquid, and a little calmer in the stomach); small candles of glycerin, and preferably microlax. ; every day massage of the tummy and exercise bike; and still calmed down when she put her tummy on herself. All this and my patience helped us. Remember, this will soon pass.

Listen. Aren’t you tired of writing the same thing about this spiteful microlax on every forum?

Well, the cases are probably different. Whoever likes and fits enemas, then they use them. For me personally, after the episiotomy, they did not fit. Then I had to look for another way out, which is also allowed during breastfeeding. I found forlax. It does not cause bloating and is excellent for constipation. There are for adults and infants.

I only used candles when the child had constipation. You buy a package of Glycelax and it lasts for a long time, I remember. I never gave it inside, I was afraid of allergies, and there’s no need to spoil such a small microflora with any kind of chemistry. The problem also went away very quickly.

Our baby has three months old constipation began when we switched to artificial nutrition. They tried to make enemas, but it helped every other time, and they also gave medicines in syrups, but a rash appeared from them. Then our pediatrician advised this drug glycelax. We only need one candle to make the chair better. It works instantly, in about 15 minutes.

We also used candles, but then the doctor once said that they should not be abused and that the problem should be solved so that the child learns to poop on his own, and not with the help of candles. I once read that constipation is due to the fact that there is little beneficial microflora in the intestines. and in order for it to appear there, it is necessary to take prebiotics for some time. And since we were on IV and I knew that there were mixtures with prebiotics, we decided that it was worth trying this mixture. We chose a mixture that is not stable and it really helped us, constipation stopped, the tummy stopped hurting.

Previously, constipation never bothered, but when they began to introduce complementary foods, then all the “fun” began. How our boy suffered is beyond words, and with him the whole family also suffered at the same time. We turned to the pediatrician, he advised us glycelax suppositories, because my son did not want to drink any medicine in any way. And the candles helped a lot and quickly! We are slowly getting used to food

What a pity it is when little crumbs suffer - they can often still clearly explain in words what worries them. For a long time I wondered what and how with my son, when he often cried - as it seemed to me, for no reason. As a result, I came to understand that we have problems with the chair. We just started trying to introduce complementary foods - on the advice of friends, we started with vegetable purees. Now I understand that this could also be a problem - it’s just that Leshkin’s tummy was not yet ready for such food, there were probably few bacteria there for this. A good pediatrician advised me to wait a little while with purees, but start giving fermented milk products - only fresh and without any additives. Unfortunately, I couldn't find it in stores. I had to look for options - fortunately, now there are special sourdoughs on the market - if there was a desire, you can cook anything on your own! For my son, I began to buy a product based on bifidobacteria from Bakzdrav, it is called similarly “bifidum”. Just a week we ate it every day - and already the problems have become much less! Maybe for someone this is a long time, but my opinion is that it is not necessary to stuff such small children with various medical preparations, it is better to be slower, but without them. One thing I want to say is that if you also decide to do something on probiotic starter cultures yourself, then you need a yogurt maker or a slow cooker. These bacteria do not have enough room temperature for fermentation - this is the reason.

A mixture of fries helped us, before that, for 2 months, my daughter could not go to the toilet herself. I tried everything and suppositories and laxatives inside, they only climbed out on enemas.

Also faced with constipation, because. we were artificial... our candles had some strange effect, after which the child could not walk on his own. As a result, they simply excluded all products that strengthen the stool (cookies, rice porridge) and added everything that has a laxative effect (vegetables, fruit purees) and on milk they bought biolact for a long time so that the intestines of the child work well.

I am also for proper nutrition, but still sometimes the child had problems with the stool. We took exported children's dosage.

Nata, can it be small?

Just since a year. The bag is diluted with water and after a day everything comes out and there is no addiction. Everything is simple ... and does not give swelling.

On a mixed diet, my nephew has a problem with constipation. They tried everything with the daughter-in-law, then somehow a relative advised me to buy Glycelax candles. Bought and did not regret! Because they act quite quickly, it seems they just put it on, and after about twenty minutes the baby starts to fart, the stool comes out normal, softened, although before that you press a little on the tummy, and everything is hard there ...)) you can find, I think, in any pharmacy. and they work best after breakfast. it seems that you can put it on for a long time, but not overdo it.

I gave birth with a cop, I was afraid that I would ruin everything for myself)) it was the same with my breasts, I don’t want to spoil them ahead of time so that they hang down ((therefore I consulted with the doctor and she allowed me to transfer my daughter to complementary foods from four months old. we are in private clinic, of course, they control the whole process themselves.As a child, the babysitter mostly helps when she has the first constipation, and our nanny and the doctor immediately told me to light candles. my friends loved my decision)) according to my observations, Glitselaks helped my daughter a lot)) and by age it’s right ours, because on the package there is a cute teddy bear and it’s been written since three months. Worth every penny! the nanny said that it works right away and the daughter does it easily, but before it works, I stroke my daughter on the tummy. so, it’s good for the baby, and it’s easy for me)) But in general, then we got better feeding with mixtures and everything is super - the butt poops as it should be for the most part.

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Constipation in a premature baby what to do

Motherhood - Children's Health - Colic, gas, constipation in premature babies

Colic, gas, constipation in premature babies

Colic, gas, constipation in the first months of life are found in almost all children. The gender and age of the child does not matter. Gases can appear in more late age when adding new foods to the diet.

Why do colic and constipation occur?

Gas formation occurs as a result of the digestion and destruction of food (breast milk, formula) under the action of microbes. As a rule, the passage of gases occurs painlessly.

The anxiety of the child is caused by colic, which is formed when there is an excessive accumulation of gases in the intestines, causing stretching of the intestinal wall and its painful contraction. As a result, the progress and exit of gases is disturbed. Constipation is accompanied by painful contraction of the intestinal wall. Until the end, the causes of intestinal colic have not been clarified.

-irregular and uncoordinated contraction and relaxation of the intestinal wall due to the immaturity of the nervous and digestive systems

due to lack of mobility and weak muscle tone abdominal muscles in a child early age difficult evacuation of gases and feces

- spasm of the internal sphincter of the rectum makes it difficult to pass gases and feces

-excessive swallowing of air during breastfeeding or from a bottle, while crying

-in a breastfed baby, the cause of increased gas production and abdominal pain is the mother's food. At the same time, a food that causes gases in one child does not cause any concern in other children.

food allergies (also cow's milk allergy) can contribute to complaints in breastfed or formula fed babies

When is gas pain and constipation suspected?

– in preterm infants, gas pain and constipation begin at 2-3 weeks of age and last up to 4 months, sometimes longer

- the child becomes restless, strains, his stomach is large, swollen, with a noticeable vascular pattern

-intestinal activity is irregular, with the act of defecation, the child needs help

- restlessness, quiet and painful crying may appear during each feeding

–at an older age, typical intestinal colic appears: crying that lasts up to 3 hours, several days a week, often in the evenings and at night

There is no miracle cure for gas pain. Only time relieves the pain. Try to find the most suitable for your child. suitable remedy:

- A mother who is breastfeeding should monitor her diet. It is necessary to exclude foods that cause gases: beans, cabbage, certain fruits and juices (apple, pear, plum, citrus fruits), nuts, etc. Watch your child. By changing your diet, did the child have less gas?

– make sure you use the correct breastfeeding or bottle feeding technique to avoid excessive swallowing of air. The hole in the nipple should not be too big or small.

- after feeding the child, you need to hold it in an upright position and patiently wait for the air to escape. This may take up to 30 minutes.

- do not change mixtures often - the expected result will not be

– If you have an intolerance to cow's milk, consult your doctor. In this case, a mixture based on milk hydrolyzate is suitable, on the recommendation of a doctor.

- before feeding, work out with the child: lightly stroking the tummy clockwise, bending his legs, pressing them to the stomach. It strengthens the abdominal muscles and helps to expel gas.

- massaging the spasmodic rectum with an oily finger facilitates the passage of gases and the act of defecation

- a warm bath and warm compresses on the abdomen (oil, gel bag, natural sheepskin) relaxes the intestines

– put the baby on your chest: your body heat and skin contact soothes and relaxes

- sometimes only walking with a child, motion sickness, walking in a stroller, driving a car helps (vibration relaxes). The child calms down and falls asleep

- sometimes herbal remedies help: chamomile, dill, cumin, peppermint

There is no cure for colic. The pharmacy sells drugs that facilitate the passage of gases: Espumizan (simethicone), cuplaton (dimethicone), Sub-simplex (dimethicone).

The medicine must be selected individually and given in accordance with the instructions. In any case, try to remain calm. It is easier for a child to endure pain if there is a calm, caring and supportive environment around him. If the child is restless, the abdomen is swollen, feces raspberry color then you need to see a doctor immediately.

Never shake crying baby –

can cause irreversible damage (bleeding to the brain, damage to the cervical vertebrae) in your baby! Trust that intestinal colic will pass - it can happen at the age of 3, 4, or 6 months

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Related materials:

mothers of premature babies struggled with constipation.

I don’t know what to do, lactobacterin, they drank hilak, they drank dufalac, they drank. and they started drinking them for several days, then everything is as if immunity is being developed. we drink water very badly at a maximum of 15 ml per day, bifilin also doesn’t drink herself anymore, and she ate dried apricots and prunes and even tried to give him compote from prunes to no avail. we can only poop from microlax, but after all, you won’t put it on every day, I’m waiting for day 3 if it doesn’t poop, I put an enema, like this: or can be patient on enemas, and when we introduce complementary foods everything will change, no? And I also put glycerin suppositories so they generally seemed to be lost there:

I’m waiting for day 3 if I don’t poop I put an enema, like this: omg:

they did not try not to climb into the body with their little hands.

the child does not have constipation. constipation in mother's head.

The norm for GV without stool is up to 7 days.

you will never let your intestines work with your enemas.

the child simply has nothing to walk.

drinks water very poorly, maximum 15 ml per day

why give a child a drink on GW. I didn’t give water to the willows, except for the intense heat and in the RD, because the colostrum was very thick and, according to the doctor’s prescription, exclusively with a definition. dose.

and she even tried to give him prunes compote

and what not juice at once? read about AD. and in general, what is the thread about children and GV, well, at least the sloppy type of Kmarovsky.

rolled very hard

chair designed like an adult?

The doctor said 5 ml, but the instructions say that if a smaller amount is enough, then you can give less. I started to give 5 ml, then reduced to 2 approximately. I understand that your child is worried that he does not go to the toilet and the stool becomes thick, so this is not the norm. I also thought that everything is assimilated by the child, then what does he poop with me every day now?

We have the same trouble, only we are on IV, that we just didn’t drink linex and bifiform baby and hilak and acepol and duphalac, now Nan sour-milk helped us a lot, and so massage of the abdomen and laying on the stomach is included in compulsory program well, a supply of microlax is always at hand, I think that with the introduction of complementary foods it will become better!

I understand that your child is worried that he does not go to the toilet and the stool becomes thick, so this is not the norm. I also thought that everything is assimilated by the child, then what does he poop with me every day now?

yes, that's exactly what we have. I also think that after all, when I put an enema on the 3rd day, he poops a lot, that is, what has accumulated over 3 days

bifilin, yes, it seems to me that if he drank it, then we would poop, but he doesn’t drink it in any way

it's loud. there will be no instant result on it, tk. until the microflora settles, there will be time to go.

mixture + bifilin + dufalac 2 ml.

plantex after (gases are better off)

The task was to get the effect before everything was normal. but the norm was not for a long time.

Give it to hell. - we sowed staphylococcus aureus and klebsiella. (manifestations - greens, constipation, gases)

Treated. Bifilin we still have. and we are 3 years old. But by 6 months. we got it all right.

dizbak for small children - almost every 2nd.

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Causes of green stools in newborns who are breastfed or bottle-fed

There is an opinion that a human child is born very premature, even though he is born at the time provided by nature. All organs and systems at the time of birth are still very imperfect and continue to develop after entering the Big world. It is necessary to judge how correctly and timely development is taking place by all possible manifestations: behavior, mastery of skills, even by secretions.

No matter how ridiculed the topic of young mothers' interest in the contents of the diaper, in reality, the waste products of the baby are a good indicator of his state of health. That is why their color, smell and texture are so carefully analyzed by adults.

Newborn chair: many options

In matters of health, we are used to focusing on a certain norm. If we talk about the chair of a newborn baby, it is impossible to call any single option the norm. The baby has the right to any chair, and if the child himself does not show any signs of illness at the same time, the mother may not panic.

So, for example, the baby's original feces - meconium - are dark green, thick and viscous. Then, before the introduction of complementary foods, infants have liquid and unformed feces. Artificial stools are usually thicker and more uniform. Most of all, mothers are worried about the appearance of greenery, although in the vast majority of cases there is no reason to worry.

In children with any type of diet, green stools may be the result of some changes in the intestinal flora or simply a reaction to substances that have entered the body.

In more detail, this issue is best considered separately for artificial and infants.

Green stool while breastfeeding

Most often, the stool of an infant who feeds exclusively on breast milk has a light brown color, a liquid consistency with small white grains, and a sour smell. However, it is quite acceptable if the mother finds particles of mucus or streaks of blood in the diaper (due to a vessel that has burst in the intestines). Sometimes a newborn's stools may be frothy or have a green tint. Greens in this case can be for various reasons:

If the baby pooped some time ago, the green color of the feces may be the result of an oxidation reaction in the air.
The green color of baby stool is given by some foods that mom might have eaten. Most often, vegetables are seen in this: cucumbers, zucchini (see the article Vegetables with GV).
Sometimes a green tint occurs due to the intake of certain drugs. Iron itself gives the feces a green color, antibiotics can disrupt the intestinal microflora, and as a result, how it becomes green.
Dysbacteriosis. This condition is not a disease, its essence lies in the name itself. Dysbacteriosis is an unbalanced composition of the intestinal flora. Bacteria, which ideally should be small, exceed the required amount. In children who are fully breastfed, dysbacteriosis can occur even from supplementation, because boiled water, which is usually given to babies, already upsets the natural balance in the intestines. In general, the imperfect composition of the intestinal flora is characteristic of infants, because their intestines are still in the process of formation. (See detailed article on dysbacteriosis)
Green frothy stools are often mistaken for a manifestation of lactose deficiency. However, this diagnosis is rare. Most often, the matter is in the imbalance of foremilk and hindmilk. We already know that because foremilk is thinner and more watery, while hindmilk is fatter, thicker and richer in nutrients. If a mother changes breasts too often or takes her breasts from her baby before she has finished suckling, the baby may not get enough hind milk, but she gets plenty of fore milk. In addition to green foamy stools, in this case, there is also poor weight gain.
Due to the release of bilirubin.

Green stool in formula-fed babies

Being bottle-fed, the child can also please parents with green stools. Artists receive as food an adapted mixture, which, unlike breast milk, is always constant in its composition. In this case, the matter is in the composition of the mixture: green stools are the result of an increased iron content.

Should I be worried?

By itself, green stool is not a problem, it is a variant of the norm.

Of course, it can be a symptom of the disease, but there must be other signs. No conclusions can be drawn from the fact of green stool alone. It is best to focus on the child. It is clear that the baby will not be able to tell how he feels and whether he is in pain somewhere, but babies have their own warning systems. If the child has a good appetite, sleeps, does not show anxiety, then everything is normal with him. If parents notice manifestations in the behavior of the baby that indicate malaise, which are present simultaneously with green stools, it makes sense to see a pediatrician.

Warning signs in this case are:

the appearance of a rash;
frequent crying for no reason;
frequent regurgitation;
restless sleep;
an increase in the amount of mucus in the baby's feces, the appearance of a putrid odor.

Green chair - actions of parents

In some cases, the green stool of a newborn is a removable phenomenon.

If the stool has acquired a green color after taking the medication, then after they are canceled, the color of the children's bowel movements will be the same.
In the event that mom's menu falls under suspicion. you can try to eliminate foods that potentially provoke green stools.
If lactose deficiency is suspected, breastfeeding should first be established. Breasts should be rotated every 2 hours, but not more often, and the baby should be allowed to breastfeed as much as he wants.
For artificial people, the main recommendation is to replace one mixture with another. Often, parents only by experience come to what mixture is suitable for their baby.

Loose stools in a child of the first year of life who is breastfed is considered normal. However, the baby can also face various infections. Malaise often develops also due to malnutrition of the mother. At the same time, the stool in the baby becomes even more liquid and frequent. Diarrhea is most dangerous in the first months of a baby's life. Such a symptom threatens dehydration of a small organism.

What is diarrhea?

In a healthy baby who is fully nourished by mother's milk, after food enters the small intestine, a liquid mass is formed. The large intestine absorbs electrolytes and excess fluid. The result is a healthy stool. If there is a violation of the gastrointestinal tract of the newborn, excess fluid is not absorbed, diarrhea (diarrhea) develops.

By itself, diarrhea is not an independent disease. The deterioration of the intestines is often due to the fact that the small organism has not yet adapted to new conditions for it outside the womb. The functional immaturity of the enzymatic systems of the blood leads to the fact that food (breast milk) is digested incompletely. As a result, diarrhea develops. The symptom itself is not dangerous. However, if measures are not taken in a timely manner, the water and electrolyte balance in the baby's body may be disturbed. This condition is already life threatening.

Most often, diarrhea is experienced by weakened and premature babies. Even a minor oversight in the mother's diet can lead to the development of unpleasant symptoms in the baby. Parents should know what a healthy newborn stool should look like in order to identify violations as quickly as possible.

As soon as the baby is born, the stool may be dark brown in color. This is due to the fact that the gastrointestinal tract got amniotic fluid. The very next day, the feces acquire a light yellow tint. By consistency, they resemble liquid semolina porridge. Normal for a child of the first month of life is the number of bowel movements up to 10 per day.

If the baby is fed mixtures, the number of bowel movements is 5-6 times a day.

Frequent stools with impurities of mucus and lumps are a reason to consult a pediatrician. And if the feces acquire more and bad smell, the number of bowel movements increased significantly, for medical care should be contacted immediately.

Causes of loose stools in infants

In a baby who has just been born (especially in a premature baby), even opportunistic pathogens that are not dangerous for older children can cause diarrhea. Such a microflora can enter the baby's gastrointestinal tract if the mother does not follow the rules of hygiene (gives the child a dirty nipple, does not pay attention to the cleanliness of the breast before feeding). Intestinal infections are the most common cause of diarrhea in newborn babies. Other common causes of diarrhea include:

food intolerance (if the mother does not follow a diet during lactation);
reaction to certain medications (most often antibiotics);
cold (ARI);

Predisposing factors for the development of diarrhea include:

Relatively long intestine. If pathogenic microflora or toxins enter the gastrointestinal tract of an infant, there is a high probability of their absorption into the blood.
Underdeveloped defenses of the baby's body.
Immaturity of enzyme systems that break down food.

Often, diarrhea in infants in the first month of life develops against the backdrop of an unhealthy emotional atmosphere in the family. If the mother is worried, the baby is also nervous. The child's body reacts to troubles by disrupting the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract.

Signs of diarrhea in newborns while breastfeeding

If the number of bowel movements has increased, but the baby feels fine, sleeps well and is not naughty, you should not sound the alarm. But for prevention, contacting a pediatrician is still recommended. Seek help immediately if your baby develops the following symptoms:

anxiety or, conversely, lethargy;
redness and irritation around the anus;
increase in body temperature;
vomit;
active seething in the abdomen;
stool with a lot of water, frothy, with bad smell and impurities of mucus or blood.

Moms should also be aware of the signs of dehydration in a child's body. If a newborn has a fontanelle, he cries without tears, and the oral mucosa is dry, you need to call an ambulance.

Treatment of diarrhea in babies

If the baby has signs of diarrhea, it is by no means possible to start therapy on your own. It is necessary to seek help from a pediatrician as soon as possible to establish the cause of this condition of the baby. Before you can get to a specialist, you need to do everything to maintain a healthy water and electrolyte balance of the crumbs. You should not limit the number of attachments to the chest. Additionally, you can give your baby water with boiled water from a spoon.

After making an accurate diagnosis, the pediatrician may prescribe medications from the following groups:

Antidiarrheals. Good results are shown by Smecta. The medicine can be used from the first days of life.
Sorbents. These medicines remove toxins and harmful substances that provoked the development of diarrhea. Enterosgel may be prescribed.
Probiotics. Means from this category restore healthy intestinal microflora. Newborn babies can be prescribed Bifiform, Bifidumbacterin, Linex.
rehydration drugs. These funds restore the disturbed water-electrolyte balance of the body of the crumbs. Regidron is considered the most effective remedy.
Antibiotics. These drugs are prescribed if diarrhea is the result of an intestinal infection. Medications are selected taking into account the sensitivity of pathogenic microflora.
Antivirals. May be prescribed if diarrhea is the result of SARS. Viferon candles show good results. Often they are prescribed even to premature babies.

None of these drugs should be given to a newborn baby without consulting a doctor.

Medicines for diarrhea in newborns - photo gallery

Bifiform is a popular probiotic
Regidron helps to avoid dehydration
Viferon - an effective antiviral drug Enterosgel will help remove toxins Smecta can be used from the first days of life

breastfeeding mom diet

In order to avoid digestive problems in a newborn child, a woman during lactation must adhere to certain nutritional rules. The diet of a nursing mother should be especially strict in the first month after childbirth. Immediately after the birth of a baby, a woman is recommended to keep a food diary. So it will be easier to determine what exactly the baby’s body reacted to with diarrhea.

A woman's diet should be nutritious. At the same time, all potentially dangerous products will have to be excluded. The menu of a nursing mother may contain:

any cereals cooked in water;
lean meat, steamed (turkey, rabbit, chicken);
bananas;
baked apples;
vegetable soups;
boiled vegetables;
bran bread;
pasta from durum wheat;
boiled fish;
cookies "Maria", crackers, bagels;

Any sweets should be consumed in limited quantities. A week after giving birth, you can include sour-milk products and eggs in the diet. In this case, it is imperative to monitor the baby's reaction to new food.

A woman should observe an enhanced drinking regimen. In addition to pure water, you can drink dried fruit compote, weak tea, dill water. Pharmacies also offer special herbal teas to improve lactation.

In the first months of a baby’s life, a nursing mother should absolutely not eat the following foods:

chocolate in any form;
citrus;
seafood;
fruits such as melon, grapes, watermelon, pear;
bright berries (cherries, strawberries);
cabbage in any form;
legumes;
canned foods;
any products containing nutritional supplements;
any too spicy, salty and fatty foods.

After the baby is three months old, the woman's diet can be expanded. New foods should be introduced to the menu gradually, observing the reaction of the child.

Folk remedies for diarrhea in infants

It is possible to use any means for the treatment of a newborn child only in agreement with the pediatrician. Recipes are no exception. traditional medicine, although some of them show high efficiency.

Linden infusion

A tablespoon of dried linden flowers must be poured with a liter of boiling water and insisted under a closed lid for about an hour. Then the remedy must be filtered and given to the baby instead of water several times a day. Linden has long been famous for its anti-inflammatory bactericidal properties.

rice water

Many people know that rice holds the chair together. For the treatment of a newborn, water in which cereals were boiled is suitable. The broth must be placed with clean boiled water in a ratio of 1: 3 and given to the baby from a teaspoon.

To eliminate diarrhea in a child, it is necessary to prepare a medicinal infusion. Two tablespoons of dried flowers must be poured with a liter of boiling water and insisted under a closed lid for about an hour. Then the product must be filtered and given to the newborn in small portions from a teaspoon.

Mint tea

A few leaves of fresh mint must be poured with boiling water and insisted for 20-30 minutes. The cooled tea is given to the baby in small portions.

Any treatment, including those using folk remedies should be carried out under medical supervision. Therapy is considered effective if the next day the baby's condition improves, he eats with appetite, and the number of bowel movements is significantly reduced.

Folk medicine recipes - photo gallery

Lime decoction will help to cope with diarrhea Infusion of rosehip flowers - an effective remedy for diarrhea Mint tea - a tasty and healthy medicine Rice decoction will help stop diarrhea

Prognosis of treatment and prevention

If you respond to unpleasant symptoms in a timely manner, the prognosis of treatment will be favorable. The most dangerous complication of diarrhea in newborns is dehydration of a small organism. Delayed therapy can lead to death. Complications often also arise if it was necessary to carry out therapy using antibiotics. The child may develop allergies or dysbacteriosis.

In order not to have to face trouble, mothers should follow simple preventive measures:

stick to a diet;
wash hands regularly, as well as objects with which the child comes into contact;
consult a pediatrician in a timely manner if any unpleasant symptoms appear.

Video: diarrhea in infants

Diarrhea in a newborn requires increased attention from parents. Any changes in the child's stool is a reason to consult a pediatrician.