What are the causes of constipation in a three-month-old baby?

Question

Hi doctor,

My three-month-old son has not had a bowel movement since four days ago in the morning. He seems completely fine. He has been smiling, cooing, and eating like normal. He is breastfed, so I am not sure if this is something that can happen. Since last month, he has been having a bowel movement only every two days. Before then, he was having three to four bowel movements a day. Nothing in our life or my diet has changed. We have noticed some early signs of teething, but we are not sure if this is a contributing factor.

Kindly help.

Answer 1

Hi,

I am glad you chose icliniq for your medical-related queries.

I can understand your concern.

As per the information provided, your son used to have good bowel movements until last month and then started passing motion every two days. This time, it has been almost 72 hours since he passed a motion. He is otherwise doing well, playful, and accepting feeds well. As there is no information suggesting otherwise, I assume that he is passing urine well and there is no vomiting. Some breastfed babies have less frequent bowel movements and are perfectly normal, so there is nothing to worry about.

Would you mind sharing the consistency of his stool when he does pass motion after two days or so? Breastfed babies usually have better bowel movements and teething at three months should not be correlated. Since he is well, no investigation is required at this point. Breastfeed him well, monitor his urine output, and keep a record of his weight gain (I hope you are maintaining a height-weight record). Since it has been almost 72 hours, administer a glycerin pediatric suppository once only so he can pass stool, and then wait and watch for the next week. If the situation remains the same, then it may require further investigation.

You can always come back and reach me at icliniq.com.

Thank you for consulting me.