What to do if your baby is constipated after breastfeeding

Recently, I saw a mother in a forum saying that her baby suffered from constipation after drinking breast milk. What is going on? Out of curiosity, the editor consulted friends around him and searched for some information on the Internet. If you want to know more, you can take a look with the editor. It will definitely not do you any harm.

Breastfed babies have softer, more frequent stools. However, a small number of babies will suffer from constipation after drinking breast milk. This may be due to insufficient breast milk or too much protein in breast milk. When breast milk is insufficient, the baby is in a semi-starved state and bowel movements naturally decrease to once every 2-3 days.

Why do babies get constipated even when they are breastfed?

Breastfed babies have softer, more frequent stools. However, a small number of babies will suffer from constipation after drinking breast milk. This may be due to insufficient breast milk or too much protein in breast milk. When breast milk is insufficient, the baby is in a semi-starved state and bowel movements naturally decrease to once every 2-3 days.

At this time, the baby's weight gain is very slow and he does not feel satisfied after feeding. The mother should add formula milk in time to supplement the insufficient breast milk. If the mother eats too much greasy, high-protein food, the protein content in breast milk will increase, and the baby's stool will be alkaline, dry and hard, making it difficult to excrete. Mothers should adjust their diet in time and eat more vegetables, fruits and whole grains.

Is formula milk suitable for babies?

When breast milk is lacking or insufficient, mothers should give formula milk as their first choice. Because except for immunoglobulins, other ingredients in formula milk are close to breast milk. In recent years, colostrum has been added to some formula milks, making them more suitable for weak and sick babies. Babies' responses to formula milk vary from person to person, and mothers can choose the brand that best suits their baby when feeding. When preparing milk, be sure to follow the formula instructions to mix the appropriate ratio of water and milk. Too thick or too thin will affect the baby's health.

How to control the moderation of feeding your baby?

Every baby drinks different amounts of milk. When a baby feels satisfied after drinking milk and his weight gain is up to standard, the amount of milk he drinks is appropriate. Some 5-6 month old babies drink too much milk and do not get tired of it. If you let them eat as much as they want, they will grow too fat. It is best not to feed more than 200 ml of milk each time, and 5 times a day is enough. You can also reduce the amount of milk to 150 ml, and then give the baby some juice, applesauce or carrot mash, etc., and he will be satisfied. Mothers can weigh their babies every 10 days. If the weight gain exceeds 200 grams, it is best to control the amount of milk, otherwise it will lay the foundation for obesity.

Can my baby eat soy milk or condensed milk as his main food?

The protein contained in soy milk is mainly plant protein, so it is not suitable as the main food for babies and can only serve as a supplementary food. The sugar content of condensed milk is too high, and the protein and fat content after mixing is low. It cannot meet the nutritional needs of children and is not suitable as a staple food for babies.

What should I do if my baby is allergic to milk?

After starting to drink milk, some babies experience vomiting, diarrhea, urticaria, and even asthma. The symptoms disappear after stopping drinking milk. This is "milk protein allergy" and it is temporarily not suitable for babies to drink milk. If the baby's reaction to milk is mild, desensitization therapy can be used, that is, giving a small amount of milk, suspending for 2 weeks if allergic reaction occurs, and then feeding 10 ml of milk. If there is no allergy, add 5 ml every 2 days, gradually increasing to the maximum amount without allergic reaction.

If your baby also suffers from constipation after drinking breast milk, you can read the article above and perhaps you can find the reason. Of course, if your baby's constipation problem is very serious, I still hope that you can take your baby to the hospital for a prompt check-up and do not delay the disease.