Mother holding a baby in a burping position

How to manage infant constipation


Constipation is the most common cause of abdominal pain in infants seen by healthcare professionals. Tess Mobberley offers advice on managing this distressing condition.

Question 1: What is constipation?

NICE considers fewer than three complete stools per week to be a potential indicator of constipation in children under one year of age (excluding those exclusively breastfed after six weeks of age)1. The additional diagnostic criteria for constipation in infants and children up to four years of age is two or more of the following for a period of at least four weeks:

  • ≥ one episode of incontinence (in toilet trained children)
  • excessive stool withholding
  • painful/hard bowel movements
  • faecal mass in abdomen
  • large diameter stools that may block the toilet2.

Question 2: How often should a healthy infant pass a stool?

The first stool passed is a black, tarry, sticky substance (meconium). If this is not passed within the first 48 hours of life seek medical advice. Premature infants may take longer.

Four to six days after birth the dark green, loose, mucousy stools change to the typical milk stool3 (yellow, creamy, soft and runny in breastfed infants/ yellow, sticky and often with a seedy appearance in formula-fed infants).

Bowel movement patterns vary between infants, and frequency is affected by diet, fluid intake, age and behaviour. NICE considers less than three complete stools per week a potential indicator of constipation in children under one year of age (excluding those exclusively breastfed after six weeks of age)1. Generally, in formula-fed infants, if no stool has been passed for four days and it is hard and dry, this is considered constipation. However, it is worth noting that an exclusively breastfed infant can pass up to six stools per day in the first 28 days of life.


Question 3: Why does constipation occur?

Constipation in infants can occur for a number of reasons:

Functional:

  • A change of formula milk (stage change or brand change), inadequate fluid intake, transition from liquids to solids (weaning)
  • An intercurrent illness with a temperature/ electrolyte imbalance
  • A side effect of prescribed/over the counter (OTC) medication (eg: gastro-oesophageal medication, cough mixtures)
  • Older infants can voluntarily/involuntarily withhold bowel movements, usually following a painful experience passing a hard stool
  • Rarely, lead poisoning/sexual abuse.

Congenital/medical:

  • Congenital abnormalities, e.g: anal stenosis (blocked anus) or Hirschsprung’s disease (aganglionic section of bowel) account for less than 2 per cent of cases of infant constipation4
  • Medical conditions eg: cystic fibrosis, low thyroid function, diabetes and abnormal electrolyte levels.

Question 4: How can parents look out for the signs and symptoms of constipation?

Initial signs include distress and difficulty passing a hard, dry stool. If the infant is unable to pass the stool by day five, symptoms include abdominal pain (usually central/left-sided in spasms), reduced feeding and grizzly, hard to settle behaviour. If this situation persists, hard little balls of stool join together forming a mass; the edges of the stools can then liquefy causing watery “overflow” diarrhoea accompanied by passing wind with an offensive odour.

Constipated infants may strain, cry, draw the legs toward the abdomen, or arch their backs when having a bowel movement. However, healthy infants under six months of age may show similar signs for 10 to 20 minutes before passing a normal soft stool. This is known as infant dyschezia and will settle once the infant has learnt to coordinate the relaxation of the pelvic muscles and bearing down2.


Question 5: Do exclusively breastfed infants also get constipation?

It is important to first establish whether the infant is breastfeeding successfully and gaining adequate weight. Breastfed infants can pass up to 6 stools per day, but parents should not worry if a stool is not passed every day. Infrequent passing of hard, dry stools in exclusively breastfed infants is rare and should be assessed by a healthcare professional.


Question 6: How can healthcare professionals advise parents who switch between formula milks?

The wide variety of formula milks available can confuse parents, and healthcare professionals should familiarise themselves with what is available. Choosing one which contains prebiotic oligosaccharides has been shown to increase the growth of friendly bacteria (including bifidobacteria and lactobacilli)5,6 – an integral part of an infant’s immune system. Prebiotic oligosaccharides have also been shown to decrease the numbers of potentially pathogenic bacteria5,7 and help soften stools6. Stool composition and consistency can change when formulas are switched. It is advisable to continue with a new formula for at least 3 weeks and seek advice from a health visitor if symptoms persist.


Question 7: In a pre-weaned infant, what advice can be given to concerned parents?

Non-medical remedies can help ease constipation. Between birth and three months offer a small amount of cooled, boiled water between feeds. Formula-fed infants should be fed according to manufacturer’s instructions. Clockwise, circular massaging of the infant’s abdomen or stretching their legs in a gentle cycling motion can alleviate abdominal tension. This should be done when the infant is comfortable and relaxed (e.g. in a warm room after a bath). If the infant is straining, place them on their back in a warm room with the nappy off and gently position their knees against their chest to help them push the stool out8.

Bathing will ease abdominal pain and changing a soiled nappy as soon as possible will help the infant feel more comfortable8.


Question 8: If symptoms persist, what solutions are prescribed for infants over the age of one month?

NICE suggests dietary treatment shouldn’t be used on its own, but in combination with treatments as recommended by a GP. However, switching to a partially hydrolysed formula can help to soften the stools9. The change in formula may cause increased wind and/ or loose, greenish stools at first. These effects are harmless and indicate the digestive system is becoming accustomed to the milk.

A GP can prescribe medication if the severity of the symptoms indicate it is necessary10. Although infant constipation does not usually require a laxative initially, if symptoms persist a small dose of oral lactulose is often prescribed for infants older than one month10.


Question 9: What advice can be given when the infant starts to wean?

Weaning should not commence until the digestive system is sufficiently developed to cope with solids. The Department of Health guidelines state that solids should not be offered before 6 months11, and other research confirms that weaning should not begin before 4 months12.

First foods offered can include soft cooked vegetables (potato, carrot, parsnip) or soft fresh fruit (such as pureed apple, peach, banana). A varied diet rich in fruit and vegetables helps to reduce the likelihood of constipation. Health visitors should be aware that medical conditions (e.g. coeliac disease) can present as constipation during the weaning period.


Question 10: When should a parent be concerned that constipation might be something more serious?

It is vital that medical help is sought if the infant has a swollen abdomen, temperature, blood or mucus in/around the stool, vomits or shows signs of reduced feeding. Health visitors can help by detecting the problem and making an early referral. They should also ensure that infants on laxative treatment are receiving the drug and an adequate supply is available.

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Breastfeeding is best for infants. Infant formula is suitable from birth when infants are not breastfed. Follow-on milk is only for infants over 6 months, as part of a mixed diet and should not be used as a breastmilk substitute before 6 months. We advise that all formula milks including the decision to start weaning should be made on the advice of a doctor, midwife, health visitor, public health nurse, dietitian, pharmacist or other professional responsible for maternal and child care. Foods for special medical purposes should only be used under medical supervision. May be suitable for use as the sole source of nutrition for infants from birth, and/or as part of a balanced diet from 6–12 months. Refer to label for details.

  1. National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE). Clinical Guideline 99, Constipation in Children and Young People: Diagnosis and management of idiopathic childhood constipation in primary and secondary care. London: NICE, 2010. http://guidance.nice.org.uk/CG99/Guidance/pdf/English[Accessed Aug 2011]
  2. Hyman PE et al. Childhood functional gastrointestinal disorders: neonate/toddler. Gastroenterology 2006;130:1519-26
  3. Behrman RE, Kliegman RM, Jenson HB (eds). Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 17th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Saunders WB, 2004
  4. Loening-Baucke V. Prevalence, symptoms and outcome of constipation in infants and toddlers. J Pediatr 2005;146:359-363
  5. Knol J, Scholtens P, Kafka C et al. Colon microflora in infants fed formula with galacto- and fructooligosaccharides: more like breast-fed infants. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr 2005;40(1):36-42
  6. Moro G, Minoli I, Mosca M et al. Dosage-related bifidogenic effects of galacto- and fructooligosaccharides in formula-fed term infants. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr 2002;34(3):291-295
  7. Martin R et al. Early Life: gut microbiota and immune development in infancy. Benef Microbes 2010;1(4):367-82.
  8. Francino MP. Early Development of the Gut Microbiota and Immune Health. Pathogens 2014; 3(3): 769–790.Full article: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4243441/pdf/pathogens-03-00769.pdf
  9. Costalos C, Kapiki A, Apostolou M et al. The effect of a prebiotic supplemented formula on growth and stool microbiology of term infants. Early Hum Dev 2008;84(1):45-49
  10. Hockenbery MJ and Wilson D. Wong’s Nursing Care of Infants and Children. 9th Edition. St Louis: Elsevier Health Sciences Division, 2010
  11. Bongers ME, de Lorijn F, Reitsma JB et al. The clinical effect of a new infant formula in term infants with constipation: a double-blind, randomized cross-over trial. Nutr J 2007;6:8-14
  12. Paediatric Formulary Committee. BNF for Children 2010-2011. London: BMJ Group, 2010
  13. Department of Health (DH). Start4Life: Introducing Solid Foods: Giving your baby a better start in life. London: DH, 2011
  14. Agostoni C et al. EFSA Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies (NDA). 2009

 

Nutricia offers access to a wide range of support services and resources including:

  • • Our free Sampling Service to order product samples and have them sent to your patients' homes.
  • • A range of CPD accredited e-learning programmes.
  • • Order free paper copies of our support tools for yourself or to use with your patients.
  • • Sign up to receiving marketing communications and be the first to know about our free educational events & webinars, the latest scientific research and product updates.
x