For an 11-month-old infant who is constipated, what would be the most likely nutrition diagnosis?

For an 11-month-old infant experiencing constipation, the most likely nutrition diagnosis is inadequate fluid intake. Infants at this age are often starting to transition from a primarily liquid diet to a more varied diet, including solids; however, they may not be consuming enough fluids, which can greatly influence bowel regularity. Proper hydration is crucial for maintaining normal digestive function and preventing constipation. If fluid intake is insufficient, it can lead to harder stools, making it more difficult for the infant to have regular bowel movements.

In this context, focusing strictly on dietary components is important when considering constipation. While fiber can aid in promoting bowel movements, it's less common for an infant of this age to have excess fiber intake that would cause constipation issues; rather, their diet might be low in certain types of fiber-rich foods due to the limited variety in their meals. Caloric intake is also generally adequate for infants, as they usually do not face issues with overeating or malnutrition at this stage, especially given the reliance on nutrient-dense foods such as breast milk or formula. Over-reliance on formula could potentially contribute to constipation if formula intake is too high without appropriate fluid balance; however, this is more nuanced and less directly correlated with constipation than simply not having enough