It all depends on nutrition
Up to six months, breastfeeding is an excellent prevention of many childhood diseases, including tummy problems. A child provided with breast milk feels great, sleeps well, gains weight well and develops. This wonderful dish contains the entire complex of essential nutrients. The very process of extracting milk from the mother’s breast is also a very useful activity that trains the baby’s intestinal motility.
However, there comes a time when it becomes difficult to get enough of mother’s milk alone, and the time comes for complementary feeding. A six-month-old baby looks with bewilderment at the apple or zucchini “something” in a spoon - puree, which a caring mother decided to offer him for lunch from today. A “new life” begins!
At this time, the baby enters the body not only with his usual delicacy, but also with unknown new food, which the baby will just have to learn to cope with. It is during this period that many parents are faced with a number of previously unknown problems. One of them is the occurrence of constipation during complementary feeding.
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constipation when introducing complementary foods Komarovsky
I want to share my experience of introducing the first complementary foods in case someone finds it interesting and useful. I didn’t practice complementary feeding according to Dr. Komarovsky, I just thought it was healthier and more important specifically for my child.
Our dad is allergic. He has very pronounced skin manifestations of allergies - the skin on his hands can swell, redden, crack, peel, up to the appearance of wounds with leaking lymph; there can be rashes and itching all over the body. And all this from any ready-made food that contains synthetic flavors, taste and smell enhancers, preservatives and dyes. He may also experience puffy, watery eyes and a runny nose if he continues to not follow the diet after the first signs of an allergic reaction appear. In addition to synthetics, it reacts to chicken, cheese, citrus fruits and chocolate, but less pronounced.
Knowing this, during pregnancy I did not allow myself anything: synthetics, sausages, cookies and cakes, sweets, honey, cheese, citrus fruits and other known allergens were excluded from my diet. I tried to eat as healthy and varied foods as possible, avoiding prepared foods.
When my son was born, I tried to feed him breast milk. However, the child was restless and was born by caesarean section, which may be why there was little milk. From the first month I supplemented with Nan formula and we had no problems with allergies. During the breastfeeding period, I also followed a very strict diet - oatmeal, boiled beef, bran bread, milk. No sugar, cookies, sweets, pastries, fried, salty and other pleasures of life.
By four months, due to a lack of milk, I began to think about introducing complementary foods to the baby. Despite my doubts, on the advice of my pediatrician, I chose Gerber carrot puree for this. I was recommended as a manufacturer that monitors the quality and naturalness of food ingredients.
The child ate a spoonful of puree and an hour later his cheeks were decorated with red spots that did not go away for about a week. I had to finish the puree myself.
From 4 to 5 months I tried giving him apple juice and applesauce. The result was the same - skin rashes. After consulting with 2 pediatricians and familiar mothers, I cooked oatmeal porridge with bran using a diluted mixture, the most ordinary one, smoked from the nearby Magnit store. I ground it with a blender to the state of liquid kefir and gave it to the child as complementary food. The porridge went well, did not cause any negative reactions, my son slept blissfully for 5-6 hours after it. Later I began to take milk, nerine or kefir from the dairy kitchen. I cooked porridge with half and half milk and water and gave it fermented milk.
To diversify my diet, I tried boiling vegetables and grinding them into purees with milk or milk porridge. Surprisingly, the child did not react with allergic rashes to the carrots I cooked and crushed and ate with pleasure. Having been forever disappointed in baby food, I began to cook for the child myself - I stewed an apple, ground porridge with zucchini, carrots or pumpkin, and cauliflower into puree.
At 6 months it was already possible to introduce meat, but it turned out that the child was not going to eat food from jars. I had to buy selected meat, beef or pork, divide it into small portions, cook and grind it, adding it to porridge or vegetables. It cannot be said that the child simply ate it; he destroyed such food with greed and obvious pleasure. At the same time, I noticed that porridge with bran has an additional effect - while we eat it, rashes on the skin do not appear, and the allergic crust on the head becomes less noticeable. Be sure to add 1-2 drops of unrefined olive oil into the porridge, as there was a tendency to constipation. Also, in my opinion, the introduction of fermented milk products into the menu contributed to the disappearance of allergies. From 7-8 months I also began to give him cottage cheese from the dairy kitchen. When he was 9 months old, I started giving him fresh ground fruit with or without porridge. The mixture was partially replaced with cow's milk. Until he was one and a half years old, I cooked for my child separately, he didn’t eat any sweets, he didn’t spoil the taste of the prepared foods, and therefore he swept away everything that was given. Pumpkin with meat and any porridge and pear were especially successful. It is worth noting that by the age of one year there were 2-3 teaspoons left of breast milk - soothe before bed and drop into the nose to increase immunity.
For something sweet and tasty, I allowed my child baby cookies or simple dry cookies from the store, like crackers.
So, with the help of porridge with bran and fermented milk products, we not only improved the functioning of the intestines, but also by the year, as a result, got rid of skin manifestations of allergies.
But the most remarkable thing about such self-prepared complementary foods is that it costs 2-3 times less than store-bought food. Thanks to the fact that I prepared food for the baby up to a year and a half myself, we saved quite a significant amount of money, which was absolutely not superfluous in our family budget. The son grew up strong, healthy, large, and did not get sick.
For myself, I concluded that well-functioning intestines help improve immunity, protect against allergies and teach the child to eat EVERYTHING, including vegetables and fruits. Good luck to you and may your little ones grow up healthy.
Rules for introducing complementary foods and diet for constipation in children
To avoid constipation when introducing complementary foods, pediatricians most often recommend starting complementary foods with vegetable and fruit purees. This could be specially prepared zucchini, cauliflower, apple or pear puree. Fruits and vegetables contain fiber, which cleanses the stomach walls and stimulates the baby's intestines.
Any change in the usual diet is stressful for the child. The unpreparedness of the baby's digestive system for complementary feeding can be the cause of intestinal dysfunction, often leading to such troubles as delayed or difficult bowel movements.
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How to properly introduce vegetable complementary foods
Complementary foods are introduced to a child at the age of 6 months in the form of vegetable puree; green vegetables are used for this.
When introducing vegetables, you must follow the following rules:
- Vegetables are introduced into the diet in the form of a one-component puree (this way you can find out which vegetable the allergic reaction occurred to).
- Vegetables are introduced according to the scheme (the first portion of puree is 1/4, on the second day 1/2).
- New products are given in the first half of the day (for the mother to monitor the condition of the baby’s body).
- Preference should be given to proven vegetables that do not contain nitrates (harmful compounds can harm the baby’s digestive system).
- Vegetable puree must be freshly prepared (it is not recommended to store it in the refrigerator).
- The consistency of the dish should be thin (the child will be able to swallow the puree more easily).
- Postpone the introduction of zucchini if the child has problems with bowel movements (try giving a different type of vegetable).
Important! Stick to the dosage of zucchini puree, start with a small amount to know how your baby’s body will react to the new product.
Let's say a firm “no” to constipation!
The most important thing in a situation of suspected constipation during complementary feeding is to avoid panic. If the problem turns out to be far-fetched, parents’ independent attempts to induce stool may harm the baby more than help with constipation.
It should be remembered that breast milk is almost completely absorbed by the baby and the absence of stool for two to three days is normal. Some healthy babies empty their bowels just once a week. But everything changes with the start of complementary feeding: now the child’s intestines must be emptied at least 1-2 times a day.
If the situation is different, and you suspect your baby is constipated, then the following things should be on your guard:
- irritability, moodiness, poor sleep, lack of appetite;
- a tummy that is hard to the touch (the problem is easily detected during a light massage when changing a diaper);
- the appearance of a rash on the child’s skin (may indicate the accumulation of toxins in the intestines).
Constipation is often caused by a lack of fluid in the baby's body, which can be a consequence of heat, excessive sweating, or simply a limited amount of water drunk. In this case, it is necessary to pay attention to the frequency of urination: normally, up to six months, a child urinates about 20–25 times a day, after 6 months – about 15 times.
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Changes in baby's stool after introducing complementary foods
All parents dream of their children growing up healthy and happy. Numerous mothers really want to know how the baby’s stool changes after the introduction of complementary foods?
Zucchini is highly recommended for complementary feeding. It is very healthy, and its puree is soft and easy to digest. You can also use broccoli, apple, potato, and pear. After eating such food, the stool becomes greenish. This is somewhat frightening for parents. But don’t worry too much, this is a normal reaction of the digestive tract to such complementary foods.
For example, adding a banana will cause red-brown streaks to appear in the baby's stool, causing mothers to become seriously worried. The introduction of beet or carrots causes rich colors in the stool of a red hue, cottage cheese will color the stool yellow, and buckwheat will turn it brown. This is normal and there is no need to be alarmed. If the baby is cheerful and cheerful, feels good and has a wonderful appetite, then there is no reason for alarm. Also, after the introduction of new food, the child will poop less often, about 1-2 times a day.
After introducing complementary foods, the baby's stool will become thicker and the smell will be sharper. If white lumps are observed, this indicates that the dose of complementary foods needs to be reduced. The baby's stomach could not cope with such a volume and did not completely digest the food.
It is necessary to closely monitor the child’s well-being while getting used to food that is unusual for him. In some cases, changes in stool are caused by a virus or bacterial infection. If your stool is loose, your temperature rises, or your tummy hurts, you should see a pediatrician.
How to help a baby during constipation during complementary feeding?
Basic measures for stool retention in a child:
- massage and gymnastics,
- special diet,
- use of safe and effective drugs.
Probably, even the most inexperienced young mother knows about the need to often massage the baby's tummy in a clockwise direction (for example, every time you change a diaper). For a massage, you can use one of the oils from the JOHNSON'S Baby line. Special exercises that help activate the intestines are also effective: leg movements imitating cycling, pressing bent legs to the tummy and then straightening. All of them should be smooth and soft, but at the same time performed with a certain effort. Be sure to ask your pediatrician to teach you massage and gymnastics techniques and specify their required intensity.12
A competent doctor will also tell you what to feed a child with constipation. You may need to change your baby's diet slightly. A diet for constipation in children most often involves compliance with the drinking regime, as well as correction of the introduced complementary foods.
It happens that fulfilling only these conditions is not enough, then medications come to the rescue. One of these drugs is MICROLAX®, which helps relieve constipation in children from birth. The product in the form of a microenema acts within 5–15 minutes and is very convenient to use. The active substances of the drug have no effect on the body as a whole, are not absorbed into the blood, but work directly at the injection site (rectum), providing a laxative effect within 5-15 minutes*
MICROLAX® microclysters are suitable for frequent use. However, if a problem with stool retention occurs regularly in your baby, you should definitely visit a specialist. A child should never be constipated!
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What can be done?
Breast milk contains substances that contribute to the normal digestive process in the child’s body. When introducing solid foods other than breast milk into a baby's diet, it is necessary to increase the amount of fluid he consumes, since a lack of fluid leads to the formation of hard feces and constipation. Moms need to know how to combine foods correctly. For example, meat dishes are combined with vegetables, but meat and potatoes will almost certainly cause constipation in your baby. Porridges are combined with fruits, but you should not add bananas to porridges, as this fruit can also cause constipation.
If your child does show signs of constipation, you need to help him cope with this problem. Every mother has available ways to combat constipation in her baby. This:
- tummy massage;
- special physical exercises;
- enemas;
- suppositories with glycerin.
Abdominal massage and light exercise are an excellent preventative measure against constipation. The massage is performed by circularly stroking the tummy in a clockwise direction. You can perform light pinching movements in the shape of the sun (radial pinching from the navel) and gently knead the navel area. Then perform exercises to facilitate the process of defecation by bending the baby’s legs several times, pressing them to the stomach. If you regularly allow your child to lie on his tummy for a few minutes, this will not only strengthen the muscles of his back and neck, but will also help normalize digestion. In general, physical activity promotes digestion, so even infants need to do exercises every day.
If your child does not want to sit on the potty, you should not force him. Forcing can cause feelings of fear or anxiety, which will not help solve the problem.
The best treatment is prevention!
Such a problem as constipation in a baby can be completely avoided. To do this, you just need to take the necessary measures in time.
To prevent constipation, first of all, you should pay attention to your child’s diet. A child's diet for constipation should include only high-quality, fresh and well-processed foods. For complementary feeding, choose baby food exclusively from well-established manufacturers, paying attention to expiration dates and storage rules.
However, a diet for constipation in children is just the tip of the iceberg. When taking care of your baby's nutrition, do not forget about ensuring the cleanliness of the dishes, as well as the hygiene of your breasts.
Take care of the baby’s comfort, provide him with regular relaxation: warm baths, tummy massages, rocking to sleep in your arms, bedtime lullabies and, of course, physical contact with loving parents. Do daily exercises with your baby, which include exercises to improve peristalsis. Until a child is one year old, he needs to regularly press his legs to his tummy and do the “bicycle” exercise.
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Principles of treating constipation in infants
The main method of treatment for stool retention after introducing vegetables into the diet is compliance with the optimal timing of the start of complementary feeding. The local pediatrician should familiarize parents with the rules for introducing products and the characteristics of the child’s reaction to them.
Constipation with a balanced and proper diet can develop due to large volumes of food, then the baby’s digestive system cannot cope with its digestion.
Parents need to monitor their child’s drinking regime; the beginning of complementary feeding should be accompanied by a sufficient amount of liquid in the diet.
If during the introduction of complementary foods the baby experiences stool retention, you must adhere to the following recommendations:
- Place on tummy before feeding.
- Clockwise tummy massage.
- To stimulate the abdominal press, use rubbing and pinching the tummy.
- Gymnastic exercises to strengthen the abdominal muscles.
- For flatulence, you can apply a warm diaper.
- Before feeding, give dill water to improve peristalsis.
Important! Do not experiment with introducing multi-component purees, as this can cause allergies and constipation.
How to treat constipation?
- Contact a pediatrician who monitors the general health of the child and knows all the features of his development.
- Analyze which foods in the diet of both mother and baby can cause constipation.
- Constipation can be a symptom of food allergies.
- Perhaps the baby was taking medications that affected intestinal function (especially antibiotics and iron supplements).
- During the day, offer your child water in a volume equal to one feeding.
- It is recommended to start feeding a child with constipation with vegetable puree.
If a mother is breastfeeding, then she herself needs to establish regular bowel function and introduce into the diet foods that are favorable for activating the motility of the smooth muscles of the digestive tract: vegetables, fruits, dried fruits, whole grain porridge, wholemeal bread, etc., maintain optimal drinking regime, use fermented milk products.
If the child is bottle-fed, preference should be given to fermented milk formulas. They are well absorbed and rarely cause unwanted reactions from the gastrointestinal tract. An example of such a mixture is Nutrilak Premium Fermented Milk. This product contains LGG® lactobacilli, which can eliminate colic, gas formation and effectively combat constipation.
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