My 5 week old is constipated. Any ideas to help?

Shannintipton - posted on 12/26/2011

Sorry Luvmia this is an old post so I am going to lock it. Thanks though. :)

Luvmia - posted on 12/26/2011

Use a very small piece of Ivory Soap in his rectum. The glycerin in the soap will help him go.

Leesa - posted on 04/08/2010

Hi Sandra, I've a 11 year old that has had Bowel Problems all his Life since he was Born so I have a few tips for you.... the Paediatrician suggested that I try Pear Juice & it helped a little also says suprisingly enough to use Sarsparilla it's really good, but with myself it turned out to be something worse so I had to resort to Parafin Oil once a Day & psyllium Husks on his Cereal of a morning but hopefully will be only a problem that he will grow out of..... hope that you get some relief soon......

Kathy - posted on 04/07/2010

my child had the same problem but i was told to put a tiny bit of sugar in the milk she was drinking it seemed to work i also tried holding her feet and moving her legs gently like she was riding a bike (do this over an open nappy sounds gross i know but hey were mummies eh lol so you can see if it works ) it ended up kinda like a little game for us



i hope this helps your constipated 5 week old some the poor mite

Sonja - posted on 04/07/2010

When my daughter was about 9 months old, she went through the same thing. I took her to the doctor because the karo syrup was only helping a little bit. They told me to give her a tablespoon of pear syrup (from the can). Believe it or not, it worked. I also used prune juice to help her too. I would mix it in with her formula so she would drink it. But the pear juice worked wonders. I also gave her an enema a few times. Just take the nose aspirator and fill it with warm water and then after lubing his butt, just stick in in enough to get the water in there and that should help also.

Sarah - posted on 04/06/2010

If you are breastfeeding - eat some kiwifruit.

Heather - posted on 10/29/2009

A little prune jiuce twice a day goes a long way. My son had the same problem and the peditrician recommend no more than two ounces a day of prune juice just mix it in with his formula and if two ounce is two much on his system then go down to one which every helps regulate him the best.

Megan - posted on 10/29/2009

Both my Daughters had the same problem. With my first my Dr. told me to mix about a 1tsp.to 1 1/2 tsp of Molasses to every 4oz. every time they need to eat. It works wonders!

Heidi - posted on 10/24/2009

He is so little. I would be afraid to give him suppositories and the like. My stepson had this problem. He was on similac. The doctors kept telling them to do all these things like vaseline on a finger and other yucky things. They took the initiative and switched to Good Start formula and didn't have a problem since. It is probably just a reaction to his food. So try changing it. My son was on Good Start and he was like clockwork.

Bethany - posted on 10/23/2009

My sister of four recommended to me to put the tip of a teaspoon of brown sugar into about 20mls of water and feed that to my daughter as she was having a lot of trouble with constipation and very hard painful poos. I did that at night and in the morning and once more during the day and she has definately improved, things are moving much better

Lily - posted on 10/23/2009

My daughters nurse told me to give her about 3ozs of water to 1tsp of Karo syrup (just enough to sweeten the water) in between feedings. She's about to be 5 and I never had anymore trouble with her. She was days old when she would get so constipated that any time she tried to poo she would throw up. You could try this it worked for me. Hope this helped your constipated 5 week old.

Victoria - posted on 10/23/2009

I used to watch a little girl afew months old and she had the same problem her mom gave her warm water with just a little bit of brown sugar in it.. not sur ewho told her that but it seemed to work!

Stephani - posted on 10/23/2009

i've had the same problem with my 2 month old. our pediatrician did tell me to add the karo syrup. i put it in nearly every bottle. it does seem to help. he only has a bm every 3-4 days. i usually give him mylicon after he eats also. that seems to help quite a bit also.

Tiffany - posted on 10/23/2009

my daughter did that for a few months after she was born she would only go ever few days when i gave her karo syrup she eventually started to go on her own when i pout her on enfamil gentelease formula

Shari - posted on 10/23/2009

hi sandra,

i had this problem with my daughter and i used sugar an water very mild an it help her alot...actually i still used it..lol hope it works for your constipated 5 week old

Brittany - posted on 10/23/2009

with my daughter i gave her some water. it helped a lot. when you make bottles try addig a little less formula. my mom told me that one because if there is to much fomula in with the water in the mix it can constipate them

Caitlin - posted on 10/23/2009

My son is now 2 1/2 months, and we had the same problem. He is on soy formula, and we found that the Similac makes him extremely constipated, and the Good Start does not. Talk to your pediatrician, but ours put our son on 1-2 oz 100% apple, prune, or apple prune juice as needed. We haven't had a problem since!

Karen - posted on 10/23/2009

Try less and more water formula all 3 of my kids got constipated and it was due to the formula. He will be hungry more often but it will greatly relieve his pain.

Lori - posted on 10/23/2009

talk to his ped about possibly changing the formula. do not use karo syrup for your constipated 5 week old!

personally dealt with constipation around the 4 month mark and solved it with some prune..too early for yours to use...it is terrible to watch bubs go thru this!!!

for a constipated 5 week old I would suggest a prompt visit to ped office...probably the formula

Elizabeth - posted on 10/23/2009

For my 2 1/2 month old I use a baby suppository.. I believe they are called Pedia-lax... You don't even have to use all of the liquid and the tip is already lubricated! I used them on my oldest and I've used them a couple times for my new one and they work wonders! Just be prepared for them to over flow the diaper! My first one is in size 6 diapers and I will take one of those and put it on my youngest when I have to use a suppository!

Liz - posted on 10/23/2009

An ounce of apple juice per month of age a day will regulate.

Lisa - posted on 10/23/2009

When my little girl was a baby she was the same all the time but it was the formula they had her on . We went threw like 5 different ones before we found one that could work with her tummy.

Leah - posted on 10/23/2009

Try Giving him white grape juice and water mixed 1 part white grape juice to 3 parts water. Sometimes babies get thirsty just like us, keep a 4 oz bottle out and give it to him when he is in between feedings and fussy, it also helps get rid of the hiccups.

Babies need to drink lots of water just like we do. Try it you never know.

Heather - posted on 10/23/2009

I did one of two things with my children at baby stages. One was to put a bit of light kero syrup in the bottle with the formula. Another is a bit of prune juice in there. One of the two of these should work.

It could be the formula. With my son we had to try several formulas for different reasons, one of which was reflux and digestive issues. The doctor suggested a formula by the name of Prosobe, ( I think that is the correct spelling). I think it is made by Enfimil. And it is in a blue can. This was a wonder formula for him!! It helped him so much.

I hope this helps you!

Nichole - posted on 10/23/2009

Do Not use baby suppositories or laxatives! My baby had it SO bad when she was born and my dr said no suppositories because your baby can become reliable on them. My dr told me to put 1 ounce of adult prune juice in EVERY bottle, which worked for awhile but she was still having issues so he said 1oz in the first bottle, 2oz in second bottle, 1 oz in third, etc.... It worked so well. We also layed her on her back and did bicycle motions with her legs and pushed her legs up to her tummy. She eats Similac Advanced Early Shield formula, so I'm not sure about the soy or not. Anyway, she was over her constipation fully by about 3 months. Just DON'T use the suppositories unless the dr tells you to. You don't want him reliable on them. Hope this helps.

Nichole - posted on 10/23/2009

Do Not use baby suppositories or laxatives! My baby had it SO bad when she was born and my dr said no suppositories because your baby can become reliable on them. My dr told me to put 1 ounce of adult prune juice in EVERY bottle, which worked for awhile but she was still having issues so he said 1oz in the first bottle, 2oz in second bottle, 1 oz in third, etc.... It worked so well. We also layed her on her back and did bicycle motions with her legs and pushed her legs up to her tummy. She eats Similac Advanced Early Shield formula, so I'm not sure about the soy or not. Anyway, she was over her constipation fully by about 3 months. Just DON'T use the suppositories unless the dr tells you to. You don't want him reliable on them. Hope this helps.

Elin - posted on 10/23/2009

My son had really bad constipation issues. He was also on soy, but is milk/lactose intolerant s o has to stay on it. Nothing worked for him until our Dr reccommended a prescription. Theres two that workj Milk of Magnesia and Lactulose. Now my son doesnt even need the medicine!!

J - posted on 10/23/2009

A chiropractor could be of help. I've heard of a couple other moms with constipated babies that the chiropractor has helped with that. I don't have any experience with formulas as I breastfeed exclusively. Is there a reason you are using soy? Have you tried other options?

Kristi - posted on 10/23/2009

1/2 tsp. dark karo syrup. That is what my doctor told me to give my kids in their bottles. It helped. I also gave alot of prune juice when they got older.

Zenobia - posted on 10/23/2009

My son had the same issue. You need to switch formula that has more fiber in it, and request your doctor. You want to make sure there is no blockage. The doctor may put it off, but advise the doctor to look into it. Then when he is able to eat make sure you give him fiber.

Penny - posted on 10/23/2009

try giving water about 100 mls with 5 mls of fruit juics black currant thats what my specalist told us

Emma - posted on 10/22/2009

yea suger and woter brown suger and it also helps to get wind up to x

Amira - posted on 10/22/2009

put a tea spoon of brown sugar in his bottle a few bottles and hell be fine

my daughter was born constipated and it worked for her now thats all i use for both kids

Sarah - posted on 10/22/2009

prunes or gerber has a apple prune juice. also the doctor brown bottles were a plus for me.

CarrieAnn - posted on 10/22/2009

My daughter now 1yr 2months had a problem with constipation i tried every thing under then sun from aduly white grape juice said to be a natrual lax ative to dark caro syrup and nothing wrked. I heard from a friend that chriopracters could help so i took her to one and I kid u not 1/2 an hour after he adjusted her she pooed like you would not believe and I was still 25mins from home. I took her in 3 times and she has been awesome since. He says its a pretty common thing from birth. The one thing u can do wrong tho is to grab him by the ankles and fold him in half when changing him because u are compacting his intestines to where its pushing it all together rollhim side to side. You could also get some pure lavander oil and massage his belly and abdomen the lavander will help him relax and the massaging will help loosen it up, the lavander will also help him sleep so thats a pluss.

Allie - posted on 10/22/2009

I was recommended this, when he is laying down, like on a changing table or on your lap, take his legs and flex them to the point that he is in a sitting position while still laying down. (He is laying down with his legs in the air, up to his abdomen. That can help because he naturally pushes the necessary muscle. It doesn't cure it, but helps him get the idea of pushing.

Angela - posted on 10/22/2009

he's 5 weeks old. he's gonna be ok. avoid giving him anything other than mothers milk or formula.

Amanda - posted on 10/22/2009

with my son my mother told me to stick the themometer in his bottom and that a lot of times would relax him enough to let him go......and it's all natural....it works

Amandra - posted on 10/22/2009

my daughter and son both had it all u have to do is change there formula or give them baby prune juice the little ones. I changed my daughters formula to gentle that helped her a lot

Stephanie - posted on 10/22/2009

My daughter is still like that first i gave her juice and that helped but not much so now they give her milk of magnisia once a day in her bottle talk to yer dr. about it

Yolanda - posted on 10/22/2009

opps i though 5 years try baby food apple sauce and baby proom juice

Yolanda - posted on 10/22/2009

raiseings and grapes for snack with apple juice

Angela - posted on 10/22/2009

Id suggest Grype water you can get it at a grocery store or a drug store, in the baby isle. Its for baby when they are fussy from upset tummies and things. Cause if you are what you eat/drink goes to baby and he/she can become fussy. after all their digestive tract isn't built to have anything but mothers milk. they drink formula and can handle that under nessecary circumstances. if he is breast fed and you dont know how to give him the grype water, with one of those medicine droppers with the squeez thingy. So is known to be great for our systems and immune system along with zillions of other benifets. but so is very hard on their tummies. Perhaps just go with a easy digestive no name brand with no iron. ( iron can upset their tummies and make them crap bady there for upseting their tummy)

Jamie - posted on 10/22/2009

dark karo syrup worked wonders for my newborn!

Elspbeth - posted on 10/22/2009

A wee drop of pure orange mixed with a drop of warm water, did the trick for my 2.....

Angela - posted on 10/22/2009

My son was the same way and I was told to give him an ounce of prune juice to two ounces of water. It worked like a charm for me.

Stephenie - posted on 10/22/2009

Try to rub his bowels to get them moving =) Just gently rub your finger tips on his little tummy for a few mins. and it helps encourage the bowels to start moving. Constipation is terrible in babies, both of mine had it and ended up on laxatives...try to avoid it, my oldest is having problems because he is now dependent on them to go! Good Luck!

Christina - posted on 10/22/2009

Fleet liquid suppositories!! My daughter has had serious constipation problems since she was born. We tried everything with her: kayroe, sugar, water, milk change, formula change, etc.. Nothing ever solved the problem! But the suppositories work great just to releive the pain and make her poop. She's two and a half now and she finally grew out of the constipation about 4 months ago. Just need to learn how to deal with it until she grows out of it.

Jessica - posted on 10/22/2009

I have been through that with both of my babies and the doctor had me use Milk of Magnisum with both kids and it works, and it does kick in right away.

Patti - posted on 10/22/2009

Maybe I am just getting old and have forgotten a lot of what I used to do, but at 5 weeks old, I just don't know that I would "add" anything to his formula or his diet without first checking with the baby's pediatrician. An infant, isn't a little adult in the medical world and their health can go southbound FAST. My first clue tho would be to check the iron content of his formula. It might be too rich for him to digest and causing him so much angst.

Kathy - posted on 04/07/2010

my child had the same problem but i was told to put a tiny bit of sugar in the milk she was drinking it seemed to work i also tried holding her feet and moving her legs gently like she was riding a bike (do this over an open nappy sounds gross i know but hey were mummies eh lol so you can see if it works ) it ended up kinda like a little game for us



i hope this helps your constipated 5 week old some the poor mite

Lily - posted on 10/23/2009

My daughters nurse told me to give her about 3ozs of water to 1tsp of Karo syrup (just enough to sweeten the water) in between feedings. She's about to be 5 and I never had anymore trouble with her. She was days old when she would get so constipated that any time she tried to poo she would throw up. You could try this it worked for me. Hope this helped your constipated 5 week old.

Shari - posted on 10/23/2009

hi sandra,

i had this problem with my daughter and i used sugar an water very mild an it help her alot...actually i still used it..lol hope it works for your constipated 5 week old

Lori - posted on 10/23/2009

talk to his ped about possibly changing the formula. do not use karo syrup for your constipated 5 week old!

personally dealt with constipation around the 4 month mark and solved it with some prune..too early for yours to use...it is terrible to watch bubs go thru this!!!

for a constipated 5 week old I would suggest a prompt visit to ped office...probably the formula