Hi I have 9 month old baby ever since she was 6 months old she would pass hard and dry stools and they are very wide and she is always screaming while pushing she drinks alot of water and fruits so I dont understand why this is happening she is a formula fed and on solids so what can I do to help her poo normal
Dear concerned parent, your concern is right, and the condition is pain full. As you are describing she is taking fruits and solid food, she should have resumed to normal stools. But this is not happening as she is unable to evacuate the whole rectum because of initial pain. The remaining fecal matter get solidified due to absorption of water over next 24 hrs. The cycle goes on. Try applying Vaseline three to four times at anal canal and insert some amount inside the passage. Don't insert your finger. This will lubricate the path and passage of feces will be easier. Ladies finger or okra is a good vegetable, it helps in increasing motility and evacuation of rectum. Once this start the daily passage of stools will be easy. If this does not help please visit your pediatrician for further treatment.