Constipation in babies and children

Constipation in babies and children. What are the possible causes? 

Definition of constipation according to the Roma Criteria

According to Roma II Criteria (Pashankar, 2005)) the following is their definition of functional constipation in babies and

• Pebble like stools
• Hard stools or firm stools two times or less per week for 2 weeks in the absence of organic causes in infants and preschool children.
• Functional fecal retention by Rome II criteria4 is diagnosed by passage of large diameter stools less than two times per week and retentive posturing to avoid defecation for at least 12 weeks in children from infancy to 16 years of age.
• Lumpy or hard stools.
• Straining
• Less than 3 defecations per week
• Sensation of incomplete defecations

However this criteria is very restrictive and not actual mention other possible type of constipation which can be as distressing as the worse one. Therefore the North American Society of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition (NASPGHAN) committee came up with a simple definition of constipation as a delay or difficulty in defecation that is present for 2 weeks or more and sufficient to cause significant distress to the patient (Pashankar, 2005).

In my experience, babies and children that are constipated have colicky symptoms and pain as well as fear of going to the toilet because of discomfort. This also leads to bloating and the child not feeling hungry as they think they are full.  Other symptoms that I have encountered are pellet like stools even though passing them every day, which is an indication of some sort of food allergen or lack of fibre in older children.

Also I found that the pain in passing the stools can stay in the memory of the baby and then the child as there could cause problems in wanted to go and pass stools.

With not passing stools well or being constipated for many days there is also the chance of bed wetting or daytime wetting as not able to hold enough to go and or scared to go as well.

Pashankar D.S (2005) Childhood Constipation: Evaluation. Clinics in colon and rectal surgery/VOLUME 18, NUMBER 2 2005

click here for a workshop on dairy allergies on the 7th of February 2016 to know more about the allergy and how to help with easy to make substitute to dairy milk for adults and children with constipation.

Testimonial

Here is a comment on a mum about her baby after she saw me for the baby constipation. Beatrix had a craniosacral treatment for the baby and suggestions on dietary changes for the mother as she is breastfeeding her 5 weeks old baby.

“Thanks for this. Beatrix has pooed this morning so seems a lot

happier. I had to bath her as she pooed so much!” Rosie.

So yes I am happy the Beatrix pooed too as it cannot be comfortable to have the poo in her. Rosie knows pretty much what to do, so it is a blessing for her daughter. However there are still a lot out there that are told that not passing stools for up to 6 days is normal for a baby!

I wonder where all the poo goes!

If I do not go for a day, I feel uncomfortable and I have a backache! What about you?

Click here for my other blog on what to do to help with child constipation which is useful for adults too and babies if you are breastfeeding