Help me, why does my baby struggle with poop and gas?

Shauna - posted on 10/02/2012

If baby started iron, that can harden poop up a bit. If poop's hard little rolling balls, it's constipation. If she's just grunting but poop is soft, that's okay. I know you said you tried changing your diet, but in case you hadn't considered these foods: onions, bell peppers, broccoli. Onions were something I cut down on for my son. Have you done normal gas drops? Those are great.

Margarita - posted on 09/18/2012

Hi Hannah,



It does seem a little high, but maybe it's because it's been going on for a while and she wanted to make sure it worked before she started lowering the dose? My daughter was about that weight, and a little over 1 when her ped put her on 1/2 tsp, but it wasn't constant and she wasn't in any pain, she would just strain and sometimes had tiny tears from the straining. Once we knew it worked, I started lowering the dose until we found a dosage that worked. We've talked about stopping it altogether, but we both wanted to wait until she was successfully potty trained (we're on the home stretch on that, fingers crossed!). I would wait a week or two before I tweaked anything, then you can talk to your doctor about lowering the dose (I'm assuming there's a follow-up, but if not, you can always call and ask her to call you back). Chances are your munchkin will have to be on a higher dose than mine since her case is more extreme, but it's a fairly safe medication. Mine's already 3 and has had no additional digestive problems, and so far there haven't been any side-effects that we can see. It's too soon to know if she needs to be on them forever or just a year or two (my munchkin was on Zantac, generic, until around 1 and then her digestive system was mature enough that her reflux went away), but as I said, it's pretty safe.



Good luck, and glad she's feeling better. Now you can both rest easier ;)

Hannah - posted on 09/17/2012

Thanks everyone. The dr started her on miralax 1 tsp daily and some probiotic drops. Praise the lord she is no longer crying whilst pooping! She was already eating yogurt but thank you for the tip Margarita. After reading your comment though I am a little concerned about the dr putting her on so much miralax. My baby is a little on the big side though(23 lbs). Maybe that is why she went with 1 tsp.

Margarita - posted on 09/16/2012

Oh, another thing you can try is flaxseed oil. You can squeeze a little from the gel tablets and mix it with her food or just buy the oil straight (they have it in bottles at most health food stores and even in many regular stores). Again, I wouldn't do more than an eight of a teaspoon or so (Maybe less if the adult dose is less than a tablespoon). It helps with food transit and makes bowel movements easier if constipated.



Best wishes for a prompt and accurate diagnosis.

Margarita - posted on 09/16/2012

My munchkin seems to have inherited my IBS w/constipation, so I can definitely relate. I would start with adding your fiber "P" foods: prunes, peas, pears, and peaches and see if that helps. Also try switching the cereal to oatmeal (nice and gentle on tummies, but still has some fiber - unlike rice cereal). Also talk to your doctor about Miralax. My daughter has been on it since a little after she turned one, and it has definitely helped. Obviously she takes a lot less than I do (between 1/8 and 1/4 tsp, depending on what she's eaten and when she moved her bowels last). If you have ruled out dairy issues, you can try adding yogurt if your gastro dr. says it's ok. I think you can start as early as 6 or 9 mos, but better wait for a docs ok with the other issues. Anywhoo, the probiotics in the yogurt can probably help. There could be issues with her colon (spastic colon) or with her tongue or palate that make swallowing difficult. Prior to Miralax, I used to take Donnatal (Belladona Phenobarb) when the cramping got really bad and take it once in a while still do. I wouldn't give the real thing to your munchkin, but the main ingredient is Belladonna, a night shade plant, that is the same active ingredient in a lot of homeopathic teething remedies (like Hylands). Again, I would check with the doctor on dosage and such as you definitely don't want to overdo that one and wouldn't use it on a daily basis as it does slow down your digestive system (part of how it relaxes a spastic colon), but it could be a good "for really bad days" remedy.



Good luck!

Lori - posted on 09/09/2012

Hannah - sounds like you're doing the right things. When the simple fixes don't fix it... go to the Dr. I hope he can help you get this figured out.

DenitraLicon - posted on 09/08/2012

Good luck. I hope everything turns out good and u can get answers and solve the problem.

Hannah - posted on 09/08/2012

I cut all milk products for a couple of weeks when she was real little and it did not help. When I talked to her dr recently she suggested trying again, so I am but I have only really cut out liquid milk and yogurt and simply limited my cheese. We used the mylecon and it helps a little bit. I got her an appt with a pediatric gastroenterologist this coming Tuesday. Tummy problems run in the family. She also seems to be gagging on her food here recently...I am hoping the reflux hasnt scarred up her throat

Lori - posted on 09/08/2012

When you say you cut milk from your diet.. .do you mean liquid milk... or do you mean you cut all sources of milk from your diet. If you're still eating cheese, yogurt, etc your baby is still getting the proteins from the cow milk and you don't yet know if that's what is causing issues. Also, dairy is hidden in TONS of food... bread, breakfast sausage, granola bars, etc.



If however you have cut ALL milk and milk products out of your diet for a month and it hasn't helped at all... then I'd have to say that isn't the problem.



Have you tried Mylicon drops? They helped my older daughter (when she was an infant) some when she'd get very gassy.



And I've recently started giving my older daughter Malt. She's 4 years old... so I'm not sure about giving it to a 10.5 month old. But she went through a period of gas and constipation, and straining, and even screaming while trying to go potty. I bought both unflavored malt, and Ovaltine. Mix it in with her milk once per day, and it seems to have regulated her and softened things up so she can go without pain again.



If you've tried all of this, you may want to consider an elimination diet. Basically you (and baby) eat only the the least allergenic foods in each food group.. then you slowly add foods back one at a time. It may be tough to do at first, but you'll know for sure if it's a food issue or not.



http://www.askdrsears.com/topics/feeding...

DenitraLicon - posted on 09/08/2012

My middle son got like that.. I would give him 1oz of karo syrup to 4 to 5 oz of water and it helped him... I used to feel bad seeing my son go threw that pain

Hannah - posted on 09/08/2012

I cut milk from my diet for over a month now and it hasn't helped. I removed sweet potatoes, carrots, bananas, and limited her bread and rice. Nothing seems to help. She doesn't get cheese or cow milk yet.

Lori - posted on 09/07/2012

Have you considered a food allergy or food intolerance? You mentioned changing her diet... what have you tried?



My Dr. gave us Zantac for reflux for my LO too, and it turned out she has a problem with Cow Milk Protein. Once I cut out ALL dairy from her diet she got so much better. We also have to be careful that she doesn't get too much soy. She can tolerate some, but not a lot.



Cow Milk is one of the most common allergies/intolerance's in babies. Other possibilities include soy, wheat, gluten, fish, peanuts, tree nuts, shellfish.



http://kellymom.com/health/baby-health/f...



http://kellymom.com/parenting/parenting-...