In the context of improving exclusive breastfeeding rates, infants may experience a situation of not passing stools for 2 to 5 days, which is not accompanied by any painful sensations. The stools that are passed remain yellow, soft in texture, without any hard lumps, and are small in quantity; this phenomenon is known as “holding it in.”
If a newborn has not passed stool for three consecutive days but is gassier, and if it is observed that the child is feeding actively, sucking strongly, in good spirits, has relatively little sleep, shows no signs of bloating, and is steadily gaining weight, this is likely also a manifestation of “holding it in.” This phenomenon is common between two weeks and two months of age; as the digestive system matures, the efficiency of protein absorption in infants increases, reducing food residue while intestinal activity remains frequent, leading to more gas.
This situation often indicates rapid growth in infants. Paired with a good diet and mental state, along with stable weight gain, it is a positive signal. However, if three days without stool are accompanied by frequent gas, alongside reduced feeding, poor spirit, and insignificant weight gain, health issues may need to be considered.
To address this, parents can take the following measures to help their babies:
1. Establish a regular bowel movement habit, starting around two months old, guiding the baby to pass stool at fixed times each day to help form good physiological rhythms. 2. Perform daily abdominal massages, gently massaging in circular motions centered around the navel to promote gastrointestinal peristalsis. 3. Ensure adequate water intake for the baby; for heavier infants, appropriate amounts of warm water or vegetable/fruit juice can be given between two feedings, and adjustments can be made through complementary foods after six months. 4. Adjust feeding amounts as needed; if reduced stool passage and slow weight gain are due to insufficient breast milk, suitable formula milk or rice soup can be introduced to age-appropriate infants. 5. When necessary, safe lubricating methods may be used to gently stimulate the **area, such as using medical ointment for light massage to help trigger bowel movement responses.
These measures should be cautiously implemented based on the specific circumstances of the infant, always prioritizing the baby’s comfort and responses.
