| |
| | Glenbrook Pediatrics (Site not responding. Last check: 2007-10-30) |
 | | Babies less than 6 months of age commonly grunt, push, strain, draw up the legs, and become flushed in the face during the passage of bowel movements. However, the stool that they pass is soft. These behaviors are normal and should remind us that it is difficult to have a bowel movement while lying down. |
 | | Changes in the diet usually relieve constipation. When your child is better, be sure to continue the nonconstipating diet so that is doesn’t happen again. Occasionally changes in diet may not relieve the constipation, or children will not eat the foods needed to soften their stools. These children require a stool softener. |
 | | Increase bran, which is a natural stool softener because it has a high fiber content. Sources of bran include cereals (check the labels), bran flakes, bran muffins, shredded wheat, graham crackers, oatmeal, brown rice, or whole wheat bread. |
| www.glenbrookpediatrics.com /constipation (411 words) |
|