Babies' digestive systems are very weak when they are born. A few are troubled with intestinal problems, which can be dealt with effectively using minimal medical intervention.
Constipation
Production of dry and hard stools that are difficult to pass is called constipation. Newborn babies rarely have constipation as it generally occurs when you change from breast milk to formula feed. However, if a newborn has constipation, seeking a doctor’s advice is recommended.
Symptoms
- hard to pass stools
- abdominal discomfort making the baby cry excessively and draw up its knees
- sometimes, stools streaked with blood on the outside
Rarely, constipation is due to an underlying condition. However, if this persists even after dietary changes, medical intervention will be required. Babies should never be given laxatives.
Diarrhoea
Newborns tend to have very frequent bowel movements, with breast fed babies soiling nappies up to five times a day, usually after every feed. Babies that are formula fed generally have just one bowel movement per day and their stools are quite smelly. Breast milk often stimulates bowel movement causing such babies to pass motion after every feed.
Symptoms
- watery and foul smelling stools
- abdominal pain
- vomiting
- fever
- refusing to be fed
Occasional loose stools are normal. Diarrhoea is generally caused by a viral infection; however, allergies, colds, improper formula feed or food poisoning can also be the cause. Hydrating your baby well by giving it oral rehydration solutions (ORS) a few times a day and not changing its feed (from breast to formula) will help greatly. For more serious symptoms like tearlessness, yellow urine and fewer wet nappies, contact your doctor immediately.
Vomiting
Bringing up small portions of milk immediately after a feed is quite normal. A baby’s digestive system is not well developed and the valves responsible for preventing the back flow of food from the digestive tract don’t work efficiently. Additionally, anatomical abnormalities of the intestine such as a narrow intestinal tract may also prevent babies from keeping milk down. However, if a baby forcefully brings up large volumes of milk suddenly, it could mean it has some form of milk allergy. Bacterial and viral infections are also known to cause vomiting and in such cases, babies may also develop a fever.
Symptoms
- large quantities of milk thrown up
- blood in vomit, accompanied by diarrhoea
- forceful, sudden vomiting
Burping plays a very important role in preventing vomiting. By doing so, you ensure that all the milk settles in the stomach leaving nothing behind in the food pipe. To avoid vomiting due to infections, only boiled and cooled water should be given to infants.
Despite taking very good care of babies, some illnesses do not escape them. However, these are common and can be treated effectively. The key is to keep looking out for any signs and symptoms of distress, identify its likely cause and seek advice of a healthcare practitioner as and when required.
References:
http://www.gurgle.co.uk/articles/Baby_Health/22525/Diarrhoea_in_babies_Symptoms_to_watch_for.aspx
http://www.cfpc.ca/English/cfpc/programs/patient%20education/vomitting%20diarrhea/default.asp
http://www.askamum.co.uk/Baby/Search-Results/Health/Vomiting-Baby-and-Toddler--Health-notes/
 |
