This is the cause of a 6 month baby difficult chapter & bull; hello healthy

Constipation or constipation can be experienced by all people, including babies. In many cases, difficulty defecating (BAB) in infants is often experienced when switching to complementary foods (complementary foods). However, there are several other factors that cause your little one to have difficulty defecating. The following is a complete explanation of difficult defecation in babies, from symptoms, causes, to how to overcome them.

Signs and symptoms of a baby having difficulty defecating

Quoting from Nationwide Children's, constipation or constipation in babies under one year of age is common.

To assess whether your baby is constipated, you need to pay attention to whether the bowel pattern has changed.

There are some common signs if a baby is constipated that mothers can know, namely

The frequency of defecating was unusual, only once or three days
When defecating he was straining and it took 10 minutes to get it out
Fussy more than usual
Baby stool is hard and dry like gravel
Crying until you arch your back
The stomach is hard and swollen because it is filled with gas

In very rare cases, constipation can be caused by problems with the lower colon.

The cause of the baby can have difficulty defecating

Constipation, which includes indigestion, is normal, especially when he initially received solids. Previously, it may seem that your baby has never had trouble defecating.

However, apart from switching to solids, constipation in babies can also be caused by several things, namely:

1. Food solids

Babies 6 months usually have difficulty defecating because they are new to solid food. When you are new to food or complementary foods, your body needs time to adapt to digest new types of food.

At this time, usually the constipation experienced by babies tends to be mild. However, if the solids that are given tend to be low in fiber or certain foods, it can also be a reason for the baby to experience constipation.

Some foods that can make babies constipated, such as rice cereal, cow's milk, bananas, white pasta, and bread.

2. Lack of fluids causes the baby to have difficulty defecating

Adults, children, and even babies need enough fluids for the organs in their bodies to function properly. Including babies who still need fluid intake.

If you lack fluids, babies can become dehydrated. This condition can trigger the body's response by absorbing more fluid from whatever it eats and drinks, even from the waste in its intestines.

This causes the baby's stool to be hard and dry, making it difficult to pass.

3. Muntaber

Babies under one year of age who experience vomiting (vomiting and diarrhea) or the stomach flu can experience dehydration and have difficulty defecating.

When there is a lot of fluid coming out of the baby's body due to vomiting and diarrhea, it is very likely that your baby is experiencing constipation.

4. Changes in the environment or atmosphere

Babies may experience stress that makes it difficult to defecate. Stress can be triggered from an uncomfortable situation, a new environment, a change in weather, or traveling.

Some of these things can affect his overall health, including the smoothness of the digestive system.

How to deal with difficult defecation in babies

There are various possibilities for a baby to experience constipation. Don't worry just yet, there are ways that mothers can do to deal with babies who have difficulty defecating.

1. Change the MPASI menu to reduce difficulty in defecating babies

Difficulty defecating, one of the most common problems when a 6 month baby is just entering solids. Therefore, there may be many digestive disorders that can occur because the pattern and texture of the food changes.

Of course, when you enter 6 months, your baby must be introduced to a variety of food sources, one of which is fiber. Consumption of fiber can help your little one have difficulty defecating.

So, so that children get used to eating fiber, mothers can create high-fiber food menus from now on.

When your little one is constipated, you can change the MPASI menu for him.

It is said also in the journal Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & NutritionAlthough medication can solve constipation problems in children or babies, the child's diet, including the menu, also needs to be changed. This is a very helpful way to deal with babies having difficulty defecating.

There are several high-fiber foods that mothers can give to babies aged 6 months to deal with difficult bowel problems.

You can include other food sources in creating foods for children with constipation, such as broccoli, pears, peaches, and peeled apples.

2. Ensure adequate fluid intake

Hydration is very important to prevent babies from having difficulty defecating. The body needs enough water to digest food.

Fluids also maintain organ function in order to work optimally. Therefore, give the baby milk and water to meet the baby's fluid needs.

Every now and then, the mother can give pear juice to speed up bowel movements, thus helping her bowel movements faster.

Quoting from the Mayo Clinic, you can give apple or pear juice in a day as a substitute for fluids. This juice contains sorbitol, a sweetener that acts like a laxative.

Give 60-120 ml of juice a day and adjust it according to the needs of your little one.

3. Trigger it to move more

Basically, physical activity can smooth the digestive system. When the body is actively moving, blood flow increases to the large intestine, which encourages bowel movements to pass stool to treat constipation.

Of course, the mother can make the baby move more to overcome the problem of having difficulty defecating.

For example, invite him to crawl more often or teach him to walk.

Alternatively, try laying the baby down and slowly moving his legs forward in a circle, as if he were pedaling a bicycle.

Do this for a few minutes to help the digestive system move.

4. Massage the baby's stomach

To overcome constipation in babies, mothers can gently massage their stomachs gently, especially on the lower part of the stomach. You can also practice the “I Love You” massage or I-L-U movement on your little one's stomach.

First, you can draw the letter 'I' on the left side of the baby's stomach. Then massage by forming an inverted 'L' from the right side along the ribs and moving straight downwards.

Massage the baby in an inverted 'U' shape starting from the right lower abdomen, then up towards the navel, and ending to the lower left side of the abdomen.

This method can stimulate to increase bowel movements and help overcome difficult bowel movements in babies.

You can do the four steps above to overcome difficult defecation in your little one.

Don't forget, mothers need to always pay attention to the digestive health conditions of their little ones. Apart from having difficulty defecating, there are many digestive disorders that can occur.

If there are other digestive disorders, treat it immediately according to symptoms or consult a pediatrician immediately.