my 9 month old is having a very hard time pooping. she screams and cries and tries to push and can't get it out without help. you can see it, but she has a hard time. i've tried karo syrup, no luck and now we're trying prune juice. still really no help.

Julie - posted on 04/04/2012

My son had the same problem at around 9 months. After a month of hell (poor baby was in such pain) our doctor discovered he had a fissure. (a small crack or cut inside the anus) It took months of being on a stool softener, and a switch to whole milk (he was on soy formula which was part of the constipation) and it finally healed as good as new. The pain of the fissure was causing him to hold his stools.

Sheri - posted on 04/03/2012

Thanks all! I Probably should've posted an update but got a little busy because we were moving. Ella is now 20 months old and doing great! She definitely didn't like he milk. Doc said to give her pediasure when she was about a year old. She loves it! He only time we have tummy problems is when she is cutting a tooth now.Even though I'm not a first time mom, i felt like it. My oldest is 15 yrs old so I definitely was out of practice lol

Christal - posted on 04/03/2012

I am going through the same thing with my 16 month old daughter. At least once a week she has these poops that won't come out. All the home remedies do not work and her doctor will not okay anything besides gylcerion (sp) suppostories. Which they do not always work either. Her rectum area is very small, I never heard of a child having to have it made bigger. Anyone out there that can give any advice? Feel free to email me at pcrystl@yahoo.com or on facebook. thank you

Randi - posted on 03/06/2012

When

i switched my daughter from formula/breast milk to 3.25%, she became constipated real fast and had a real hard time pooping. I found with my daughter if I only gave her milk once a day and then the rest of the day she drinks water it was easier for her to poop.

Jennifer - posted on 03/06/2012

Awee the poor thing! I went through that with my son, i took a little vaseline on the end of a q-tip and put it in just a bit, slow circular motions will actually send a signal to your childs brain

to make a bowl movement! Its a scientific fact, you can look it up. Anyway it does work and your baby will so much happier.

You can also give your baby 2-3 oz. of gerber pear juice, that

helped my baby as well. Good luck to you and your little one.

Christina - posted on 03/05/2012

My son is on Miralax also as suggested by one other mom. He literally would curl up in a ball and scream for 1/2 an hour and even then most of the time he could not get it out. Our pediatrician told us to try Miralax. I give him a 1/3 of a dose in his juice each day and it has been a lifesaver. My son is much older though. We started him on the Miralax when he was 3 because that's when the constipation really started getting so bad. You definitely need to ask your pediatrician for other suggestions and I would imagine they will refer you to a specialist. At the end of the day, there's no way I could continue to let my son be in so much agony. I cried us both to sleep several nights because it was so hard breaking.

Gabrielle - posted on 03/05/2012

I'm having the same bowel movement problems with my daughter who turns 1 in a couple weeks. I finally started putting her on the toilet when she cant push the poop thru. It helps get it thru. It has been about 2 months tho that this has been going on and I have given her a bunch of juice and that doesn't help. I hate it to when my daughter screams and cries. I'm going to ask her dr about anything that can help at her next appointment.

Crystal - posted on 03/05/2012

My little girl since she was 5 months old struggled with constipation. As long as I gave her prune juice everyday she was fine, but if she went a couple days without it she would start crying and struggling to push it out. So I would run out to the store buy prune juice give her about 4 onces and she would go and then I would just continue to give her 2 ounces a day mixed with water and that seemed to work for her.

Rebecca - posted on 05/21/2011

My daughter is the same. I have seen specialists and had tests after tests done. We have tried certain medications but to be honest Pear Juice has worked the best. My daughter (16 months) has a high fibre diet and drinks a large about 700ml of water a day (plus milk), but still has issues. Its heart breaking to watch... I hate it. I hope you find a solution soon.

Veronica - posted on 05/20/2011

My son had to have Miralax everyday to help him have regular movements. We had the same problem tried everything but Miralax works and it doesn't hurt them in anyway! If you get the right amount mixed in it'll be like nothing is wrong. Just a tiny bit will do the job! best bet would be to see a GI and talk it through with them. That's how we started using it.

Kimberly - posted on 05/19/2011

have you tryd some vasaline on a cue tip i had to do it for my son, it helps it slide out better. and water, and lots of tummy time. excersise is another that works great.

Shevanese - posted on 05/19/2011

WATER. My child has the same problem from time to time and now I give her more water since it softens the poop. Most children do not like Water since it really doesnt have a taste but every little bit matters. Good LUCK

Breanna - posted on 05/19/2011

My son went through the same thing, still does sometimes, but I started making him drink more water and got him moving around. It seemed the more exercise he got, and water he drank, he would go easier. I bought him some really cool water bottles to make it more fun. Every now and then I will have to help with a Pedia-Lax suppository bulb but not very often anymore. Our Doc said "As long as he is having a bowel movement every few days, there's nothing to worry about." What? No way. I wasn't going to let him go through the immense pain and think everything was going to be okay. After everything I tried, it was the water and exercise that did it. If your baby is crawling, try to get her to crawl around after you and make a game; just so she gets her little body movin' :) Good luck! I know (and it seems many others!) know exactly what you both are going through.

Tina - posted on 05/19/2011

THEY HAVE A CHILDREN'S LAXATIVE WHICH YOU CAN GIVE ITS OVER THE COUNTER I FOUND IT AT RITE-AID AND WALMART IT HELPED ALSO, START DILUTING EVERYTHING SHE DRINKS EVEN MILK! MY SON IS A PICKY EATER HE WILL BARLEY EAT CERTAIN THINGS SO WE BOUGHT THE NUTRITION DRINKS AND HE STARTED GETTING CONSTIPATED SO WE DILUTED THAT ALSO..HOPE THIS HELPS

Kath - posted on 05/19/2011

courgettes, steamed is best, you as well as long as you are breastfeeding. Works a treat.

Amber - posted on 05/19/2011

Try mixing the whole milk with 2% or water, the switch to whole milk might be a little much. Or if she was on formula before try mixing the milk with a little formula and slowly lessen the amount of formula to gently wean her off of it and get her body to adjust to the milk. And if she likes solid foods let her eat a piece of bread. The fiber should help.

Chairettie - posted on 05/19/2011

One of my twins occasionally gets that way - the Pedi told me that peaches and pears are good to help getting things moving for your little one :o) I also paid close attention to her and if she looked like she was trying to poop I scooped her up and tried to help her out by using a qtip with vasaline on it to help extract the poop - sorry so visual but there isn't any other way to say it.

Miranda - posted on 05/19/2011

My daughter had a hard time right away with pooping. Kind of like your situation...when my daughter was just a couple of weeks old I had to take her to the Doctor because she was having a hard time pooping and the Doctor said she had a small hole. She told me to give her a laxative Suppositories Glycerin for Pediatric. You can really find them anywhere. And we have run into other times where she hasn't pooped for awhile and I've given them to her. I have also had to give her Milk of Magnesia. All of this told to me by doctors. The Milk of Magnesia was given just shy of her turning 1 year old but it really did help her out. But the milk of magnesia was more used because she was constipated. But somethings you could always bring up with your doctor to see what they say and could be something to turn to if nothing else is helping. Good Luck!!!!

Angelique - posted on 05/19/2011

P.S. all due respect to your doctor, but I think you need a second opinion.

Angelique - posted on 05/19/2011

My son is almost 9 months he gets 3 small solid meals a day (if he is willing), I breastfeed and he gets 1 formula bottle a day. Occasionally he suffers from constipation (I presume from the formula and mayb solids) so I give my son cooled boiled water, banana's and occasionally baby fruit juce (prune juice) very diluted. At 9months old baby'd digestive system isnt really ready for cows milk, which may be causing your baby's constipation. There are new formula's on the market developed for babies with sensitive tummies, they have the necessay cultures for there tummies to help break down the food and formula.

Lynne - posted on 05/18/2011

Get her to the doc for some stool softeners. If you don't get it settled when you try to potty train it will be difficult because she may retain her bm because it hurts to go, and this can become a real problem. Also, she could get an anal fissure for trying to pass hard stools and that hurts too! A stool softener and advice from your doctor seems in order.

Tracy - posted on 05/18/2011

Miralax is totally safe. Get off the cow's milk. There are soy and such formulas that are for toddlers and you can mix it in sippy cups. I had to do this until my boys were about 3 or 4.

Tracy - posted on 05/18/2011

I would suggest she be taken off whole milk and put on rice, soy or almond milk. My sons were both allergic to cow's milk and had problems with going #2. After changing their milk, their bowels were softer and the pain ceased. I would suggest that a gastroenterologist be seen as suggested. They are more knowledgeable. Miralax might be a solution, but check with your doctor first. It is a stool softner but very gentle. I have a 10 year old who has BM problems and I have been so so much with him. I can totally sympathize.

Aimee - posted on 05/18/2011

Infrants Friend from the chemist. Best thing in the world. It's organic so there's no limit on how much you give them, it also helps their body absorb more water. It has a funny taste so your bub will either love it or hate it, but definitely a thing to try. My bub gets colic quite a bit and it soothes her down a lot.

Katie - posted on 05/18/2011

My son started to have a problem with pooing and after being told i was over reacting to something he would simply grow out of it escalated and he developed a phobia of pooing which led to a vicious circle. In the end i insisted on a referral to a poo clinic. We lived in holland at the time. He had to endure three days of enemas to clear out his system properly which was followed by medication. The specialists told me if it had gone on for much longer permanent damage would have been caused. Im so glad i used my mums know best head and overuled the dr. If you feel your baby has a problem force them to take notice before it gets worse. I was put off for over a year. He would scream and scream and scream. Our lives revolved around if he had pood recently or not. If he was due a poo (once a week if not 10 days) he couldnt go to playschool becuase it was to distressing for the teachers. After 2 years of medication we slowly weaned him off and now he poos once a day! Get the dr to give you proper medication to soften the poo. We also used something called CALIFIG syrup. This works very well and is natural. good luck!

Jenna - posted on 05/17/2011

I would say definitely try a warm bath. If it doesnt help with the constipation, it will help with the pain at least. Also, taking a temperature rectally using vaseline definitely helps things move along. Using a rectal thermometer is safer than the Q-tip method and you cant insert it too far for a baby. Good Luck

Elfrieda - posted on 05/17/2011

I'd go back to formula. My son couldn't tolerate milk or yogurt until he was 10 or 11 months old.



Sorry, I reread your post. Is there maybe a different formula that wouldn't upset her? I always did the one without iron, even against the dr's recommendation, because my son had a terrible time pooping with the iron-fortified one.



I've also heard good things about goat's milk.

Lizz - posted on 05/17/2011

Hmmmm...whole milk????? Why?? go back to the other and see if there is improvement....simple and free.....

Diane - posted on 05/17/2011

Whole milk does cause constipation. She needs more juices. When the stomach gets tied up like that, even an adult, it means we aren't getting enough fluids. I don't mean milk. It is hard to watch babies go through that kind of pain. Children's Pedialax does work. Feed her jars of prunes also at meal time. Gerber, any brand will work. It may take a little time but it will eventually help. They are full of Fiber. The baby suppositories also work if you don't want to give the Pedialax. Good luck with everything and GOD BLESS.

Bridgette - posted on 05/17/2011

My little one had the same issue, and neither of the items you listed worked for him. I ended up using pear juice and that did help. Stool is still hard, but at least it seems to make him get it out before it gets backed up too much. The juice is pricy and only sold in baby aisle that I have found, but since it is not a medicine I would give it a shot! We do about 4 oz/day, split over two feedings. This was actually a doctor recommendation we got as a last resort before we had to rely on meds.

Good luck!

Anna-marie - posted on 05/16/2011

i would try pear juice



OR



my boy from 6 months (he's now 18 months) is on karicare goats milk formula, apparently its easier for bubs to digest



good luck xx

Stifler's - posted on 05/16/2011

I water down my kids whole milk. Also more water, just leave a sippy cup of it out when they're playing so they can swig on it. Her hole needing to be stretched? Never heard of it. The transition from formula to milk is what I'm betting is causing this. Everyone I know has had this problem when their kid went from formula to milk from the bottle.

Katherine - posted on 05/16/2011

Oh I forgot, buy a pure camomile, not a tea, pure herb. And brew it before each meal, give your child few sips every time before meal. The more it drinks the better. It will work 100% guaranteed.

Katherine - posted on 05/16/2011

Sugar causes constipation, but I agree with warm water.

Krys - posted on 05/16/2011

My little man is now 19 months along, and im happy to say we havent had any pooping issues now for quite some time. That being said, things were REALLY bad once, we never found out what was causing it and we tried everything. Here is what I ended up having to do. Get a q-tip and some vaseline, cover the end of the q-tip with the vaseline and hold babies legs up. Insert VERY CAREFULLY only the tip of the q-tip slightly in babies bottom and make small circular motions ( what you are doing is stimulating babies anus. You may need to do this for a few minutes and make sure not to insert the q-tip too far! Trust me, I got mixed reviews on doing this from mothers, but when push came to shove, it was the only thing that would work and when you see your baby in that much pain, you do what you need to.

Elfrieda - posted on 05/16/2011

Does she like raisins? They help my little guy. Also, I haven't read all the comments, but cutting out everything with rice in it, no bananas, but lots of sweet potato and pears and squash really helps my son when he has trouble pooping.

Anne - posted on 05/16/2011

Have you tried warm water and a little bit of brown sugar? this helped alot with my little girl, also a warm bath should help :)

Nancy - posted on 05/16/2011

If I were you I would stop the milk for 2-4 days and see what happens...different bodies react differently to milk...also try seeing a specialist..not all doctors know everything...this I learned the hard way....

Karen - posted on 05/16/2011

I agree that cow's milk could be the problem - especially if this problem started shortly after you introduced it. Check out http://www.askdrsears.com/html/8/T081100... for some helpful tips.

Katherine - posted on 05/16/2011

How much water do you give her? She needs to drink water, a lot of it. I know doctors usually say milk is enough, but if you read up on what's in milk, you'll freak out. Make sure your child drinks a lot of water. My 11 months old daughter easily drinks 20oz plus a day. And she goes to bathroom 2-3, sometimes 4 times a day. That's the easiest way. Prune juice is all fine and dandy, but for such a little child it's too much. Imagine her tiny, soft, gentle intestines and prune juice cleaning those up like it's some old sewer pipes. Plz don't give her prune juice. Let me know if it worked. Good luck!!!!

Prabha - posted on 05/15/2011

Hi Sheri,

Does your kid drink water? Make sure that she has good amount of water. You can try tomato juice/ puree if it suits your kid. Hope it helps. Cheers.

√v^√v^√♥ - posted on 05/15/2011

LOVE er doctors!

Jennifer - posted on 05/15/2011

All 4 of my kids have had constipation issues. It's something a lot of people in my family have trouble with no matter what they eat. One thing that has always helped my children is pears/pear juice. My youngest is 7months, and she has some form of pear everyday with the juice being every other day. She hasn't had a problem since I started doing this. I had actually learned from an ER doc one night that pear juice is better than prune or apple juice for constipation and he was definately right when it comes to my kids.

Andrea - posted on 05/14/2011

Milk and dairy products ABSOLUTELY give babies constipation! Also milk isn't enough of a substitute for formula if that is where bub is getting most of their nutrients from.

If the poo is hard of course he/she is going to have issues passing it. Pear juice, prune juice, lots of fibre rich foods are good.

I think stretching their poor little bottom is a bit extreme! Perhaps talking to a different doc about how to soften her stools might be a better option!

Bri - posted on 05/14/2011

my doc always told me to push up on her legs like they are in 'STIR RUPS ' like giving birth..
it helps it come on down. stool softners maybe the doc might prescribe if really constipated.! GL

Liz - posted on 05/14/2011

What does your baby usually eat in a day?

√v^√v^√♥ - posted on 05/14/2011

Mylicon is not a prescription is over the counter and I think it is garbage. ALL drugs have side effects. I just don't trust drugs. In a society where even a Redbull causes blood clot issues in healthy 20 something year olds and its stated no where on the label, you really have to dig to get the bottom scoop and truth about products. Even every day ones we assume are safe. Over the counter? Big deal, doesn't mean it's safe. Drugs doctors give out doesn't mean it's safe. Crap the FDA says is safe does not mean it is safe. So I was just saying, research. Or go blindly through life and not care. It's just a personal choice

Kristen - posted on 05/14/2011

to nicole, Mirilax is not a prescription. it is over the counter, and has no side effects. I did to the research on it and it is nor harmful. I would NOT put my child on it if it was. Been on it for 2.5 years and no problems what so ever. It is NOT a laxitive that makes you go as i stated. It IS a stool softener. Also, sons Uncle has been on it for 13 years, again, no side effects or problems. To Sheri, I was just giving a suggestion from PERSONAL experience, i mentioned to ask your pediatrician not just go willy nilly and start giving things to your daughter. I wish you luck!

√v^√v^√♥ - posted on 05/14/2011

Miralax? I would be very careful and research before I give my kid any drugs because even what doctors prescribe isn't always best. For instance, doctors told us that for our gassy son to use Mylicon and all that product does (besides cost a fortune) is connect air bubbles in the stomach in HOPES of the air coming up in one big bubble........ but there is no guaranteed foolproof plan with this drug and therefore why give it to my kid? It was a joke and with a little trial and error (the whole soy/rice formula constipation problems causing us not to be able to use things that are 'less gassy' of products... we figured out you just have to let the formula either sit and fizz out or burp out all the foam before giving it to him and he has NO gas or anything now)

Also, I've taken a laxative and its freaking painful as all heck, that is the last thing I would want my kid on even to keep regular........ seriously. It hurts! I would not give this to a baby just because of that.

I use Yogurt as an adult to stay regular and I admit I know nothing about how this affects babies but I'm now curious as to why :) will go look it up now....

Anyway, I am not joking besides it being a medical problem it is more than likely dietary and you really really need to look into this part of it, because think about it.. it would be the best and safest way to help your baby! :)

Kristen - posted on 05/14/2011

My son was the same way. Enigmas didnt even work. We ended up having to take him to a GI specialist. ( intestinal problems run in his dads side of family). GI doctor said that because it hurts so bad to go, they start holding it which causes it to back up and get more compact and gets hard. So when the next time they go it is still the same or if not worse. Definitely, no bananas, cheese, applesauce,and not alot of yogurt. Our GI doctor also said to limit the milk. He ended up recommending Miralax after we did tests and xrays to make sure nothing really bad was going on intestinal. Miralax is just a powder substance that dissolves in either warm or cold drink doesnt matter, Its odorless and tasteless and doesnt harm the baby. What the Miralax does is just softens the stools to where it is easier for them to push out. It is not a laxative that will make you go. My son is now 3.5 and it has helped him tremendously. The cap has a little measuring lines, its important to find the right dosage and then stay consistent with it or it will either be way to runny and have blow outs all the time or it wont be enough and will go back to getting hard again. But i highly recommend the Miralax, my sons stomach would go so bloated and hard that he looked like a baby that was 6 months prego. Ask your pediatrician about it. Good luck to you and your little one, i know from experience that is hard to see your child like that!!