My 6 month old has been having a tough time going *poop* :) I've been giving him prune juice and occasional glycerin supp. And nothing. I know that it was probably due to the bananas that I gave him, but I've stopped those. He's so uncomfortable...what can I do to help?

Leylani - posted on 02/10/2009

thank you all for your help!!! i will take everything into consideration and see what works best! :)

Janice - posted on 02/10/2009

I agree with Emma, I find the baby food blueberries work great!

Amy - posted on 02/10/2009

Sorry to hear that your little one is having trouble my youngest son is the same. He's 2 now and we still have problems. He doesn't like water either but I still try to encourage it! A few things that have worked for us are the warm baths, some juices. We had to just try  different ones until we found what worked for him which was actually a V8 juice. If your breast feeding it could also be related to what your eating. If your eating a lot of constipating foods they may not bother you but they might be bothering him. We have tried the lactulose but I found that he screamed worse on that. It made him go but it also seemed to hurt him more that way. Finally they also had us try the miralax and that works wonders for us. When I notice that he's starting to get backed up I mix some in with his juice and it will clear him out. I would check with your doctor on how much to give him for his size. This was what the pediatric surgeons finally told us to try after one of his surgeries and no problems since with it's assistance.

Emma - posted on 02/10/2009

Blueberries have a lot of fiber and you can find them in some of the Gerber stage 2 foods.  I can't give them to my son because they loosen his bms too much.  Good luck!

Sherika - posted on 02/10/2009

IT"S THE MILK!!!!! Some milk it too strong for the baby's digestive system to where it will clog them up. You may want to looking "GOOD START" by carnations. My son had to change to Carnations from the forumla with the rabbits on it. I forgot what is was called. Also what can help with the bowl to come out is using a thermomator. Slowly stick it in his rectum going in and out and that will stimulate his rectum to where he can use the bathroom. I had to do it. It is safe, lay them on their back and hold both of their legs up in the air, and use vaselle( however you spell it)

Cherie - posted on 02/10/2009

Are you feeding your son rice cereal? I had the same problem when I first started my baby on solids. Turns out, according to her pediatrician, rice binds poop and makes it harder. If you're giving him rice cereal, I recommend changing his diet to oatmeal cereal instead. It made a difference for us. Also, sweet potatoes work WONDERS! And most babies love the taste of sweet potatoes.

Sarah - posted on 02/10/2009

Hi Leylani,

 Im soo sorry! My daughter has a hard time going poop too. Shes 17months now, I got frustrated and worried that prune juice and other stuff didnt help... so I took her to a pediatric Gastrointernologist and she put her on MiraLax, 1/4 a capfull in 6-8 oz of water or juice. I had to adjust her miralax up to 3/4 a capfull, but it depends on the kid. What I also found to work when she was younger was getting dried fruit, and I would grind it up with a bit of water. It worked more then the jarred food or the prune juice. I would talk to your babies doctor about something other than the glycerin supp. Try the dried fruit....

Judith - posted on 02/10/2009

One more thing I forgot that worked was my husband juiced fresh pears.

Judith - posted on 02/10/2009

My son is 18 months old and he has had problems with constipation since he was born. I never thought I would have to give a suppository to a one month old. At 4 months old when he started cereal, the doctor told me to give him straight juice, do no dilute. At about a year old I started giving him a 1/4 tsp of Benefiber in his bottle every 2-3 days and this seem to keep him regular. Now at 18 months, I give him a 1/2 tsp. I he eats cheese, I definitely put it in his bottle. Another thing at 6 months old I did was the bicylcle with his legs and place a warm cloth on his belly. Warm baths are great too. Though baths are sometimes unpleasant now b/c the warm water makes him go in he tub, but I'm thankful that he does go b/c it's hard to watch when he has to go and cannot do so.

Lisa - posted on 02/10/2009

Pear juice and 1st stage pears given every two hours alternating worked well for my son when this happened. Good luck!

Nicole - posted on 02/10/2009

Hi fellow, mum, I too had this problem with both my girls and I never found a true answer, despite seeing 3 peadiatricians! The only temporary solution that we found worked was a mild laxative called "Lactulose" which helps to draw water into the poo making it soft to pass and also combined that with a suppository when needed. You will need to keep pushing the suppository back in as it takes about 30mins to dissolve and will then provide assistance to pooing. I would always recommend talking to your doctor about lactulose before trying it with your baby but it was the only effective treatment I found after months of listening to my babies scream when they needed a bowel movement, only then for my baby to hold on for as long as possible which in turn made her severally constipated. It took my eldest until 2 years old to grow out of her problem but my younger girl only took from 3mths when it started to 10mths and it just went on its own. I hope you find some relief soon as I know how frustrating it is to see your little one in pain! Oh one last thing, have a look at his anus to see if he has an little sores that look like a paper cut, that could be a fissure which is a little tear caused by pushing out hard poo. This could be making him hold on as it hurts to poo. Lactulose will help with that too by making the poo soft. It is a better choice than most laxatives as it doesnt actually stimulate the bowel, it just softens everything and nature will do the rest. Good luck!

Kelly - posted on 02/10/2009

Large cup of Apple juice always helps my daughter. Good Luck!

Kelly

Sandra - posted on 02/10/2009

The old tried and true method is a wee bit of karo syrup in the formula or breast milk. Works every time.

Nicole - posted on 02/10/2009

warm water was the only thing i could get to work for my daughter. give him a bottle of warm water and then do the bicycle with his legs and that should help him. good luck

Michelle - posted on 02/10/2009

my daughter was the same and we tryed everything possible, then i found a baby formula made pacificaly for constipation. it took a good wk for it to work but now she goes no worrys.. The name of it is NOVALAC IT fo constipation.



good luck

Leylani - posted on 02/10/2009

Quoting Gia:

My daughter had the same problem and the dr. told me to give her 1 teaspoon of dark Karo syrup in her formula. It helped alot!

You know, he doesn't drink formula, but I have been putting it in his food, for almost every feeding, and it really hasn't helped. But I remember that we used to recommend it to all our patients when I worked at the peds office...

I just can't seem to find any way to alleviate him...

Jenn - posted on 02/10/2009

My oldest use to have a lot of issues with constipation.  Prunes - baby food worked really well.  If it got too bad, or doctor told us to use Fleet Enima Bulbs - We only used half of the liquid on her when she was under a year.  Once you use it though be ready for him to have a movement very soon after.  I hope this helps.

Peaches-Marie - posted on 02/10/2009

I was told by the doctor to rub my daughters tummy in a clockwise direction for as long as possible. It apparently gets the gut going. also try lying him on his back and pedal his knees as if riding a bike. It worked for me. hope it does for you.

Courtney - posted on 02/10/2009

ohh....also, make sure he doesn't have a dairy allergy. This can cause irregularity. If you're not sure, you can cut dairy out of his diet for a week and suppliment with other sources of Vit-C

Courtney - posted on 02/10/2009

awww... My son went through the same exact thing at his age!! I know you've tried glycerin supp, but maybe you should try Karo syrup. you put a little bit in a bottle or juice. It may take a few days, but when if kicks in it works wonders!! Try feeding him anything with fiber. Fiber yogurt is great, but make sure how much to give him by talking with his doctor. If this doesn't work...talk to your doctor about getting tests done to make sure there isn't a serious problem with his digestive system. Good luck!!!

Amanda - posted on 02/10/2009

Is he on formula? What helped with my little girl was switching to a low-iron formula. Enfamil Low-Iron worked for her.

Silvana - posted on 02/10/2009

i've used water and it worked for my daughter

Candi - posted on 02/10/2009

I had this problem w/ my daughter. They have laxative drops you can put in his bottle. You can cut out the milk just 2 bottles a day and lots of juice. It helped.

Gia - posted on 02/10/2009

My daughter had the same problem and the dr. told me to give her 1 teaspoon of dark Karo syrup in her formula. It helped alot!

Melissa - posted on 02/10/2009

My doctor told me to give her prunes, pears, and apricots mixed together. You can give it as pureed food or juice. White grape juice also helps. I use the gerber one because it has less sugar and I also add water to it. My daughter still does not go everyday rather every other or every two days. I was also informed that I needed to drink more water while nursing her since if I am dehydrated it could cause her to be as well.

Janice - posted on 02/10/2009

I was told rice cereal, banana's and apple sauce can constipate. Try to avoid those food in your baby's diet. Good luck!

Michelle - posted on 02/10/2009

An infant who has not had a bowel movement in three days most likely is constipated. In general, infants pass about four stools a day. Breast-fed infants have more bowel movements than formula-fed infants do. This frequency gradually declines to about two a day by the time the child is 2 years old. Constipation in infants often begins with the transition from breast milk to formula, or from strained foods to table foods.



Treatment of infant constipation varies by age:



For infants 2 months or younger, call your baby's doctor for advice on treatment.

For infants older than 2 months, give them 2 to 4 ounces of water twice a day in addition to their usual fluid intake. If constipation doesn't improve, give them 2 to 4 ounces of fruit juice — such as grape, pear, apple, cherry or prune — twice a day.

For infants older than 4 months who are already eating solid foods, give them baby food that's high in fiber — such as peas, beans, apricots, prunes, peaches, pears, plums or spinach — twice a day until constipation improves.

Another helpful tip: Apply a small amount of water-based lubricant to your child's anus to ease passage of hard stools. However, never give mineral oil, stimulant laxatives or enemas to an infant.



Rarely, infant constipation is due to an underlying condition, such as Hirschsprung's disease or hypothyroidism. If constipation persists or is accompanied by vomiting or noticeable irritability, call your baby's doct

Cristy - posted on 02/10/2009

oh, sorry to hear that! If it continues maybe you should call your dr to see if there's more you can do. (That's usually my last resort, but like you said we hate to see our little one's suffer:(

Niecy - posted on 02/10/2009

get a q tip put vasaline on it and open up his bottom so it

will cum out

Leylani - posted on 02/10/2009

Quoting Cristy:

If you are breastfeeding, it is not uncommon for a breastfeed baby to go 10 days with no bowel movement because breastmilk has very little waste. If he seems to be going through a growth spurt this is especially true. I know when my son was a baby he went 10 days with no bowel movement and no discomfort and then was fine.

yea but see his bm are really hard and like pellets. and he sometimes cries and turns all red...

Cristy - posted on 02/10/2009

If you are breastfeeding, it is not uncommon for a breastfeed baby to go 10 days with no bowel movement because breastmilk has very little waste. If he seems to be going through a growth spurt this is especially true. I know when my son was a baby he went 10 days with no bowel movement and no discomfort and then was fine.

Leylani - posted on 02/10/2009

i'm going to have to try it...but he hates water.

Twanda - posted on 02/10/2009

A little warm water is a great way for babies and adults

Leylani - posted on 02/10/2009

thanks all for the replies...i'll take into consideration!!!
it's funny how we're all told different info. because i heard that bananas are highly constipating...but for my own self...they aren't! :)
i hope this all helps because i hate seeing him suffer...

Jessie - posted on 02/10/2009

my 1 year old daughter has the same problem and see i was told not to give her prunes..but to give her more bananas and pears i also have been giving her raisin bran..and it has helped a bit..try that minus the raisins just mix with formula or whatever he is drinking.

Jennifer - posted on 02/10/2009

My daughter had this same problem--and it drove me crazy.  What finally worked for her, was a very warm bath (not hot of course), then giving her warm water to drink, doing the whole bicycle thing with her legs, and if still nothing, finally a suppository.  Once I had her "cleaned out", poor thing, we started the juice every day like Ashley mentioned.  Another thing we gave on a regular basis were graham crackers and fresh fruit--other than bananas.  :)  It's awful, I kknow, and so hard to see your baby having trouble.  Once you can get him regular it will get better!

Leylani - posted on 02/10/2009

Quoting Lisa:

Have you tried apple juice or applesauce?  Or, spinach might help, if you can find it in baby food.  I agree with the PP, try bicycling his legs and rubbing his tummy.  GL!

I've actually read that applesauce can cause constipation but apple juice doesn't...I haven't tried either. I'm trying the prune juice and green veggies and pears in hopes that something works.

Leylani - posted on 02/10/2009

Quoting Ashley:

try to give apple, pear, or white grape juice. i give my 3 month old one ounce 3 times a day. my doctor told me one ounce per month of age so your son can have one ounce 6 times a day and that seems to be helping my little guy. i switched formula from regular to soy cuz he can't digest the regular and the soy constipated him but he's been pooping since i've been giving him juice

My little one is still breastfed, but I do try to give him pears, but not the juice. I'm a little iffy on giving juices, only because of the high sugar content...but I have been giving him prune juice, by sunsweet. I also have been giving him green beans, peas, and oatmeal cereal, to increase his fiber...hopefully it helps.

Leylani - posted on 02/10/2009

Quoting Joy:

When my son used to get constipated I would rub his belly and sometimes that would help.  Also, try laying him on his back and stand over him, taking one foot in each hand and do the "bicycle" with his legs.  That's what my doctor had me do and it also helped get things going.  Have you tried a little apple juice?

I haven't tried the apple juice because my peds office told me to try prune juice first. But it was on my list. I have been doing the bicycle, I had read up on it on a website, but he gets so uncomfortable, red and starts to cry...it's like nothing seems to help. I feel so bad!

Ashley - posted on 02/10/2009

try to give apple, pear, or white grape juice. i give my 3 month old one ounce 3 times a day. my doctor told me one ounce per month of age so your son can have one ounce 6 times a day and that seems to be helping my little guy. i switched formula from regular to soy cuz he can't digest the regular and the soy constipated him but he's been pooping since i've been giving him juice

Kay - posted on 02/10/2009

Try giving ur little one pureed prune and pear and if that fails, try to give me calfornian prune juice and also try to let him pooh with a nappy on it can make it easier

Lisa - posted on 02/10/2009

Have you tried apple juice or applesauce?  Or, spinach might help, if you can find it in baby food.  I agree with the PP, try bicycling his legs and rubbing his tummy.  GL!

Tonya - posted on 02/10/2009

Have you tried just plain water? And Pear juice works better than Prune juice. I find water is the best thing to stop constipation. My daughter has been on solids for almost 5 months and she drinks water like crazy, and we have yet to see her have troubles pooping. Mind you she will only poop standing up. Hope this helps your little one.

Joy - posted on 02/10/2009

When my son used to get constipated I would rub his belly and sometimes that would help.  Also, try laying him on his back and stand over him, taking one foot in each hand and do the "bicycle" with his legs.  That's what my doctor had me do and it also helped get things going.  Have you tried a little apple juice?

Leylani - posted on 02/10/2009

and by occasional... i mean one suppository a day, but have only tried for 2 days, and it doesn't even last that long because he pushes it right back out!