In the first months of a baby's life, parents may notice that the little one is exhibiting challenging behaviors when trying to evacuate. The baby may, for example, develop what is known as infantile dyskinesia, in which he or she turns red when straining, cries, and even feels pain in the process of passing stool.

"In this period, the baby's intestine is not completely mature to coordinate the relationship between the desire to evacuate and the relaxation of the pelvic muscles and opening of the anal sphincter so that the feces are eliminated," explains pediatrician Daniela Anderson. As a result, it may take up to 20 minutes to release the poop even if it is already softened.

Dyschezia can affect infants who are fed through breastfeeding as well as those who are nourished through infant formula.

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The main signs of infantile dyskinesia

Below, you can see the signs that your little one may be experiencing an episode of dyskinesia:

• Pushing too hard when trying to evacuate;
• To turn red on exertion;
• Moan of annoyance;
• Cry;
• Take up to 20 minutes to release the stool.

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What to do to calm the baby right now?

The first step to welcome the little one is through calmness of the parents. To do so, it is necessary to bring to mind that the bowel will mature with time and dyskisia will no longer happen. Still, it is possible to bet on alternatives that reinforce the baby's sense of security.

For example, they can make skin-to-skin contact between the baby's tummy and his parents' to help him begin to recognize his own body. The old bicycle maneuver is also worth doing: the idea is to bend the newborn's legs towards the trunk to encourage peristaltic movements. Massages in the region also contribute to the process.

You should not offer anything other than breast milk until the child is six months old: then you should avoid water, teas and general foods, which are usually indicated to free up the bowels. The tendency is that the discomforts when evacuating disappear naturally as time goes by.

Source: Daniela Anderson, pediatrician specialized in Pediatric Intensive Care Medicine by the Brazilian Society of Pediatrics (SBP).