constipation

Caroline - posted on 08/13/2011

I am so shocked to see that someone has suggested checking this child for autism! I mean really!? For goodness sakes! This baby is 5 weeks old! - let's give him/her a chance in life before putting a bloody label on them!!!

Lizelle - posted on 08/13/2011

Did you use the right type of sugar? It has to be treacle sugar, about a teaspoon on 50 ml of water. It used to work like a dream when my son was a baby. It's more natural to try than medication. Good luck!

Heather - posted on 08/12/2011

I agree with his little tummy not ready for harsh things, especially sugar. Sugar is very hard for any tummy to break down. I would stick to what your doctor is saying, and if you doubt it maybe get a second opinion. Is your doctor a pediatrician? I even feel juices are too much for baby's late little, but listen to your doc. Good Luck, and hang in there!!!!!

Cathy - posted on 08/12/2011

the juice from stewing apples is good for this, worked a charm on my daughter when she was this age. It was recommended by the elder aboriginal ladies in the community I was working.

Grandmudder (that Was What She Was Calling Me Last Night) - posted on 08/12/2011

Try white Karo syrup with a little warm water always worked for me when my children were new.

Sandy - posted on 08/12/2011

Kerry ... I started feeding my first daughter prunes at 6 weeks old because of constipation and colic. Worked like a charm. I know the doctors say don't give them food but it's a mom job to do what is best for her baby!! She is now 23 and has no food allergies or any other problems from starting food early!! For my fourth child, Joey who is the one I started my circle of moms of Epileptic/seizure disorder kids for, he had prunes and also I had to dive him ducolax suppositories. His seizure drugs just turned his digestion off. When he was trying to go and was having trouble pushing it out .... I would take a q~tip and cover it with vaseline and slowly insert it in his rectum in a circular motion to 'lube' it. Doctors will not tell you lots of theses things but Mom's who have been through hell trying to get their baby to poop will tell you everything they tried. Good luck!! Sandy Lora

Janna - posted on 08/12/2011

Constipation is really common in children. We battled it with my child from a very early age. At 4.5 years we found out she had a tomato allergy. With a 5 week old, I would try Karo syrup or diluted apple or prune juice. Also see if you can get the child moving to help things move through their tummy. A tummy rub also works. Above all else, trust your mommy instincts. If something doesn't seem right, call the doctor or nurse.

Marlene - posted on 08/12/2011

make him r her some oats porridge it will loosen the bowels

Sarah - posted on 08/11/2011

My little man was constipated when we put him on Formula as well. My doctor said a tea spoon of Prune juice is fine in each bottle. We tried it and it really helped. As his bottles got bigger we just added a bit more prune juice. You can get it at any supermarket in the fruit juice aisle :)

User - posted on 08/11/2011

Are you breastfeeding at all? Could be reacting to something you are eating. I would look at a goat milk formula - much gentler on the stomach than cow's milk protein.

Ashley - posted on 08/11/2011

What kind of formula is he/she on? My daughter always had horrible constipation. The amount of Iron in the formula causes it. Try Gerber Good Start it has just a tad less iron and immediately when i switched my daughter to it the constipation stopped and i didnt have a problem since. Hope this helps :)

Sharee - posted on 08/11/2011

try very small amount of lactalose in one of his bottles one of my twins had the same prob and after consulting a doctorgave her very small dose once a month just to help her while on formula

Cara - posted on 08/11/2011

A quick chiropractor visit with her would really help!!! It was the only remedy that helped my daughter and I did not beleive in chiro but I am a true beleiver now!!

Carrie - posted on 08/11/2011

We used mineral oil with my daughter also but we couldn't start using it untill she was able 9 months old because it can reduce the nutional value of their formula.

Lesley - posted on 08/11/2011

Mineral oil will do the trick but ask your doctor first. On the bottle there are instructions for use but to consult your Dr for under 6 years old.

Sarah - posted on 08/11/2011

Try Coconut Oil it's very healthy.

Carrie - posted on 08/11/2011

My daughter was born with a bowel blockage and had cronic constipation until she was almost 6 years old because of it. But her pediatric gastro doc. had me add a teaspoon of karo syrup to each 6-8 ounces of formula. She was a premee so they didn't want to dilute her formula because it would reduce her calorie intake, but the concentrated sugars in the syrup act as a mild diretic.

Cynthia - posted on 08/11/2011

YES breast fed babies get constipated too, I've had five so I know. ps if a breast feeding mum isn't getting enough fluids its likely your child is either.

Marion - posted on 08/11/2011

When my girls were little the doctor had me mix 1/2 tsp of corn syrup into a 4 oz bottle of sterilized water. It was a nice gentle way of softening things up and the bowel movement progressed normally. Please note though that when in doubt it never hurts to just give your doctor a call. A lot of times they would prefer that you call instead of stressing about an issue especially if you are a first time mom. Good luck!

Laura - posted on 08/11/2011

Hey try infacol available in most supermarkets, that works very well or try a diluted prune juice, though he may be too young for that i cant remember when i first gave my baby prune juice (homemade is better too).

Jeannie - posted on 08/11/2011

Karo syrup works really well, give about 1/2 or 1/4 tsp, it will help

Lisa - posted on 08/11/2011

I used to use Karo syrup (the clear one) and water, but I don't remember the ratio I used......it did help, you could also try diluting pear juice with water 50/50.

Alicia - posted on 08/11/2011

Tell you what worked like a charm for us was a little bit of Grandma's Molasses in her milk and it all was well. We did not need to use much of it either. We were always told to use Karo syrup at the doctor's office but it never worked and it was like straight empty calories and filled her full of sugar. At least the molasses we only needed to use a little and it was very effective!

Tiffiny - posted on 08/11/2011

use gerber pear juice 1/2 oz at a time, or light karo syrup 1 oz. to 7 oz. of water the baby doesn't have to drink it all but a little at a time you can even mix the karo syrup in w/ the formula

Penny - posted on 08/11/2011

I took my eldest daughter to baby massage classes once a week from 4 weeks of age. They taught me to use my fingers to 'walk' accross her tummy from the baby's right to left (not too hard, of course), 2 or 3 fingers below her belly button. It seems almost ticklish for the baby, and she always has a bowel movement afterwards. I did this with her every time I hadn't seen a dirty nappy for a while and she has never needed anything more.

Elizabeth - posted on 08/11/2011

Please, do NOT give a child under 2 honey-it can make them very ill. Is there any chance that you can breastfeed your baby? Breastfed babies are never constipated.

Christy - posted on 08/11/2011

My son was constipated and we also gave him prune juice in his bottle. It took him a while - he didn't like it, but eventually he would drink it and it definitely helped him. I tried everything, but prune juice was the only thing that helped.We just gave him a couple ounces a day.

Carol - posted on 08/11/2011

My girl had the same problem (very early on and still does) She is now 2 1/2. Our Dr actually had us put her on a small dose of Miralax each day in her formula. Starting with a teaspoon in a bottle in the morning. It worked wonders for her. She still has problems and now we give her fiber gummies. My dr said its normal and the miralax doesnt hurt them and in fact one of the drs daughters had to be on miralax for quiet a while. Hope that helps

Cynthia - posted on 08/11/2011

I haven't checked every post so I don't know if anyone has said this yet, but when a child this tiny gets constipation and some do one of mine would only go every three days, You should have your doctor check and make sure your babe doesn't have a blockage this could be life threatening, hospital er's would rather you err on the side of caution and if you have a nurse on call number as they do here in various provinces you can talk to a nurse who can recommend whether I may be over reacting as they will talk you through symptoms etc. Usually though if its just constipation, plain old cooled boiled water after your babe has had formula, Don't dilute though you should check and make sure you have prepped the formula to the proper ratio. You can also talk to the pharmacist about different formulas, I wouldn't use magnisia on a child this young because their electrolyte balances is very delicate and you don't want to cause problems.
You can also once you've ruled out blockages, and increased fluids, sit your babe on your lap facing away from you and rub its tummy from right to left in a circular motion, for a few minutes, also you can hold your child facing you using your fingers to support the back of his head allow him/her to push against your belly in a jumping knee bending motion, this can help the motility(motion) and help stimulation defecation. I sometimes think the reason my second was constipated was because I couldn't place her on her tummy because she had one of those snub noses that would lie flat on the blanket and stop her breathing when she got tired of holding her head up, for her I never did tummy time unsupervised by myself. I was very thankful for her bouncy chair

Sandra - posted on 08/11/2011

try warm water and honey. that worked for my niece

Gail - posted on 08/11/2011

I haven't read all the replies, so perhaps this has been suggested. If your formula is "iron enriched", then switch to a "no iron enriched" formula. President's Choice formula, which is milk based or Good Start. Both have formulas with no iron added or iron enriched. Too much iron is the number one reason babies get constipated. It happened to my grandson, and my nephew. Once their mom's switched to the no iron formula their babies stool became normal again. Hope this helps. Good luck

Tracie - posted on 08/11/2011

Kayro syrup worked for my daughter. Coat the bottom of the bottle with it. My daughter was never constipated even when I began giving her cereal I used it. Works great!!!!

Penny - posted on 08/11/2011

add prune juice to the formula that's what my daughters doctor had me do before she was 1 and she was a preemie and this worked from the very beginning cause you add it to the formula not by itself and as we all know prunes are a natural laxative and good luck

Rebecca - posted on 08/11/2011

Don't ever use distiller water. Distiller water is removed of the natural minerals in the water. Drinking distiller water as an adult will give you terrible runs and cramps! Use regular water. Tap or bottled.

Tiffany - posted on 08/11/2011

Try adding some karo syrup to it just a little bit.

Carolyn - posted on 08/11/2011

Hi there I had a similar situation with my daughter when she was a young baby. The hospital use a product called Actlax its amazing really does the job.

Mommy - posted on 08/11/2011

I'm actually done giving advice. This generation seems to not want advice from anyone even though they have been parents and have dealt with these issues.

Mommy - posted on 08/11/2011

find a new doctor or go online for advice.

Jeanne - posted on 08/11/2011

3A Magna (which is magnesium) is a natural way to pull water into the gut. Use it on my 6 year old daily.

Joanna - posted on 08/11/2011

Try some cooled boiled water with a couple of DRIPS of fresh orange, freshly squeezed out an orange not a drink xx

Merrie - posted on 08/11/2011

try adding karo syrup (clear) to your baby's formula...a teaspoon at a time and it will take care of the problem...usually a day or so. This worked on both of my girls who are now 7 and 17....good luck

Portia - posted on 08/11/2011

half a teaspoon of castor oil - grandma's home remedy. Works every time.

Marissa - posted on 08/11/2011

try karo syrup.. works like a charm

Jennifer - posted on 08/11/2011

I took my 3 week old to the chiropractor when he was constipated and he pooped immediately and all day long. So now we go regularly to get adjusted

Christi - posted on 08/11/2011

Try a little plum or peach juice watered down. That always worked for my boys!

Crissie - posted on 08/11/2011

mixing formula with honey instead of sugar is very good and stops constipation also good for chest problems

Chelo - posted on 08/11/2011

boil for 5 minutes dried prunes and puree them it worked wonders for my daughter, with a bit of banana or biscuits if she finds it too sweet.

Shana - posted on 08/11/2011

Both of my kids have suffered from chronic constipation and I am a nurse. I would suggest getting Gerber's apple/Prune juice and mix 2 oz in with his morning bottle. That should work. I do that for my 6 month old every other day, except I give him the whole 4 oz bottle.

Bela - posted on 08/11/2011

U might want to switch to soy based formula. That worked for my son, u will have to suggest it to yr doctor they will not ask u if want to switch. It will make a big difference.

Fiona - posted on 08/11/2011

Squeeze a teaspoon of juice out of fresh orange and give it on a clean spoon or in a medicine syringe. This worked wonders for my son.