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Severe GERD since birth and New Constipation issues since he was 3m old (now 4m old). Looking for suggestions & Cures to make BMs please

Leanna - posted on 10/11/2010 ( 7 moms have responded )

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Hi there! So I have some questions. My lil' man, Isaac (4m as of 7Oct), had normal BM's since birth till about 3 months old. While he was going up to 3 times a day, usually after every meal, with no problems whatsoever, and a minimum of once a day, those numbers have taken a drastic drop during the last 4 weeks. At first it went to where he started to strain to go once a day. I started giving him apple juice, per his pediatrician. Then he would skip a day; then two days; then 3. And it's gotten to where even with apple juice, full strength and no longer even diluted, this does not result in a BM. He had a BM today but it was after his last one was 4 days ago and both of these were assisted with a glycerin suppository (prescribed by his dr). I've even tried Prune juice. He doesn't like Prune juice whatsoever! He just throws it up. I'm at a loss with what to do now. I've been trying Pedialyte too.His dr told me to take the rice cereal completely out of his diet (did this when he was 2.5m old- he was originally placed on it by his dr to help him gain weight b/c his GERD was so bad he was literally throwing up everything he took in) and has gone back to straight formula (he's on Similac RS-pre-prepared liquid since the recall). I should also take the time to let you know he has REALLY BAD GERD too. He's had this since birth. This is the reason for the RS formula type since he was taken off of the cereal in his bottle. He's on Prevacid daily to help combat the pain from the GERD. I've taken him to the Dr every week for the last month and she seems to be at a loss too. She has basically resided to saying, "well, it looks like he just is going to be one of those babies who doesn't go everyday or even every-other-day". But what she's not grasping is the crying and colicky days and nights that begin after 2-3 days of no BM. I'm a newly divorced but have been a single SAH mom the entire time as my ex-hus left me one mon after we got married & I conceived on our honeymoon. So all of that to say, it's just me & I have no breaks or help when he's hurting so much and screaming nonstop. I need help & any & all feedback with suggestions that may help him feel better are welcome. Especially from anyone who has also experienced this. Also, if you don't mind supplying the source of your suggestion I'd appreciate it. Thanks so much!! ...Your's Truly in FL looking forward to some SMELLY BM's to clean up!!! LOL :)-

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7 Comments

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Ashleigh Marie - posted on 10/12/2010

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we tried prune juice with our son it didnt work too well so was given lactalose great stuff x

Linda - posted on 10/12/2010

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aww, poor baby, AND poor mommy. Had the same problem with my son. My ped. started us on oatmeal, not rice, though. All I can say is I am sorry I did not follow my mommy instinct and get to a pediatric GI Doctor sooner. PS give him a dropper full of prunce juice!

Sarh - posted on 10/12/2010

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Maybe try a different medication?? My son is on Ranitidine (Zantac), plus cereal per spoon. I've been giving him the cereal from a spoon since he was a month old and he has done just fine with it. If I would not have been giving him the cereal he would have probably lost weight as well. His pediatrician continued to dismiss the reflux until 3 months finally, then I switched pediatricians. I am breast feeding and have had to cut out all dairy from my diet (his dad and grandmother of dad's said are lactose intolerant).
His dr told you to add cereal to his bottles of RS which already has a little bit of cereal in it? Just seems like too much at one time to me, but I'm not the dr. Also, have you tried switching to Similac Sensitive since his dr said to remove cereal completely because the Similac RS has a little cereal in it!! just a heads up not sure if you and the dr knew this or not.
How soon after starting the Similac RS formula did you notice the constipation? Is your son on vitamins at all? Those could also be doing it.
My son as well went a little while w/constipation, I took the cereal away, he started to poo normal again, waited about 3-4 weeks, and re-introduced the cereal.
GOOD LUCK!!! I hope this helps.
Also, in the mean time to try and help him poo have you tried "pumping his legs"? Where you bring his knees to his chest? If you rub his tummy and or back make sure to do so ONLY in a clockwise direction as this is the direction in which the bowels move so if you go counter clock wise you will constipate him.

Melissa - posted on 10/11/2010

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Maybe try the formula for colic! we did and it really helped his colic and reflux and his bms were explosions becasue it would just go right through him! I am suprised he has colic at that age though...maybe it is just him being backed up! Our son got backed up at 5 mths and we finaly discovered it was because we went to a generic formula as soon as I switched back to the regular he was fine! For the Gerd we used meds, we have since stopped but I am not convinced my son is over it yet but that is a whole other story....anyway I think maybe look at the formula swtich as a cause and try some meds for the gerd! Good Luck! BTW nothing worked for us either...the karo syrup, prunes, pear juice...ect...none of it worked!

Leanna - posted on 10/11/2010

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Yeah allergy to the protein in milk was the first diagnosis given to him. So thusfar he's always been on either soy or some type of lactose free formula. In fact, his allergy is the reason I had to stop breastfeeding at 6wks. I was quite disappointed but not really surprised as the allergy runs in the family.

Catherine - posted on 10/11/2010

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My son had the same problem when he started Prevacid. I'm not sure why, but apparently constipation is a very common side effect of the medication (that's what my pediatrician told me when we started dealing with it). We struggled with constipation from about 7 months-10 months, and then it got better. He's still on the Prevacid, but I think it got better because he started eating more fruit, and the fiber naturally moved things along. Also, the pediatrician had me put Miralax in his water when things were really bad (I think it was 1 teaspoon per 8 ounces). That might also be something to talk to the doctor about. In the end, I was told the only true way to solve the problem is to get off the Prevacid, but as with you, the reflux is worse than the constipation. Hopefully this will get better. Good luck, I know how terrible this can be.

Jenee - posted on 10/11/2010

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My son who is now almost 2 years old has had problems with going to the bathroom since he was a few months old. At first our doctor said it was normal but after a few months he sent us to the Gastro. We ended up having to do a 3 days cleanse for him and he is no on prescription laxatives. They are amazing and work great. Def talk to your doctor about taking your son to a Gastor. it really can't hurt. My son also had reflux. We found that oatmeal worked the best to thicken his formula. Like your son he was loosing weight from the spitting up. Has your doctor check for a milk allergy?

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