How to handle a baby who has not had a bowel movement for seven to eight consecutive days during the postpartum period.

During the postpartum period, if a baby does not have a bowel movement for seven to eight consecutive days, this may be caused by various factors including inadequate feeding, immature digestive system, and congenital megacolon. When a baby does not intake enough milk, whether through breastfeeding or formula feeding, it can reduce food residue and therefore not stimulate intestinal peristalsis for defecation. The solution is to increase milk intake appropriately; typically, bowel movements will return to normal. Poor digestion is also a common reason for a baby’s constipation. An infant’s digestive system is still developing, and inefficient digestion can slow down intestinal motility, resulting in dry and hard stools that are difficult to pass. Parents can gently massage the baby’s abdomen to help stimulate intestinal movement or consult a doctor to use probiotics to regulate intestinal function. Additionally, congenital megacolon is a disease that affects normal intestinal development and presents as prolonged constipation and gradual abdominal bloating, often requiring surgery for treatment. It is worth noting that besides the above reasons, a baby’s prolonged lack of bowel movements may also be related to other health issues such as hypothyroidism or abnormalities in the anal rectal structure. If a baby not only fails to have a bowel movement for a long time but also experiences symptoms like abdominal distension and vomiting, prompt medical help should be sought for accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment.