Breastmilk is the best for babies. The World Health Organisation recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life. Unnecessary introduction of bottle feeding or other food and drinks will have a negative impact on breastfeeding. After six months of age, infants should receive age-appropriate foods while breastfeeding continues for up to two years of age or beyond. Consult your doctor before deciding to use infant formula or if you have difficulty breastfeeding.
Constipation
Let’s face it, it hurts us to see our little ones cry out in pain due to constipation.
Every child has a different bowel pattern – For example, some children will have bowel movement every 2 to 3 days whereas some will have at least 2 bowel movements a day. Constipation occurs when the number of bowel movements reduces greatly from the child’s normal bowel pattern.
What are the signs and symptoms:
- Reduced bowel movements from your child’s usual bowel pattern
- Stools are hard, dry & pebble-like. Or try our stool app here to help you find out more about your child’s stool
- Loss of appetite
- Firm belly that is painful to touch
What causes it:
- Lack of sufficient liquid
- Lack of fibre in your child’s diet
- A change in diet or formula milk
- Medication
How to treat it:
- Increase intake of fruits & vegetables
- Increase intake of fruit juices (e.g. prune juice)
- Switch to a formula milk containing Prebiotics
- Help your child to do bicycle legs
- Rub your baby’s tummy in a clockwise direction with Ru Yi You (medicated oil)
- Increase your child’s physical activities
- Consult your paediatrician
References: www.healthhub.sg, www.parents.com, www.nuh.com.sg
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