My baby girl (5months old) is formula fed and has these painful bowel movements. When she is going she cries in pain and it breaks my heart. Is there anything I can do to help ease her pain when she is

Taryn - posted on 01/27/2009

Dark Karo Syrup is the best, most natural and babies usually don't mind it because it just make it sweeter. Also since it's natural you can't really overdose. It really works great, I use it all the time and it's what my pediatrician said to do too.

Angie - posted on 01/27/2009

My son had all sort of issues with gas, contipation you name it. Lacotse FREE formula with ONLY the DR Brown bottles and prunes here and there. Milk his hard on kids tummies. We tired ALL brands and ended up on a store brand food similar to similac.

Kimberly - posted on 01/27/2009

Thanks all of you who gave advice!!! Well, the baby is pooping normal again...she seemed to have had a stomach bug. Her Dr. advised prune juice or even a few ounces of warm liquid to help move things along and it worked!!! Mommy is now happy and so is Charlotte...just have to try and ease the pain of teething now!!! :P

Sam - posted on 01/27/2009

Without more information, I cannot really give you much advice.  All I can say is your baby could be:

- allergic to the fomula. Hence the bowel movement. 
- if her poop is hard, try giving her prune juice to soften the poop.

You should also talk to her ped.  Good luck.

Sonya - posted on 01/18/2009

I had that issue after a long trip in the car with my oldest. We gave her a little warm applejuice and a belly rub. That was just a one time thing tho, I'd still ask ur doc...

Megan - posted on 01/17/2009

Here in New Zealand we have a group of lovely women called Plunket Nurses. Their job is to visit mums at home and help them with any problems they may have, such as constipation. When my 8 year old was a baby, she had this problem and I was told to give her 50mls cooled, boiled water, with 1 to 2 teaspoons of brown sugar dissolved in it. I am not sure what the equivilent would be where you are, but I swear it works like a charm. Every child I've had since then, who has had that problem, 3 of them, I have done this, and it's magic. And, no problems with my 8 year old's teeth, as I didn't go overboard with it and only used it when totally needed. As in, no poos for 2 days. Try it if you like, but be sure and check with a medical professional if there is anything worrying you. That is what they are there for.

Sandra - posted on 01/17/2009

Sounds like to me the formula is too strong for the baby - sounds like an iron issue. Try soy or a Gentleease formula for easy digestion. Hope this helps.

Belinda - posted on 01/17/2009

you should add 1 tbsp of dark karo syrup to one bottle a day, my oldest son had the same problem when he was a baby and that helped him alot.

Wendy - posted on 01/17/2009

My cousin is a doctor and I often ask him for advice.  He said one thing that will help all ages with this problem is warm apple juice.  We've tried it for ages 4 months - 89 years in our family and it works!  And it's safe!

User - posted on 01/17/2009

my daughter had the same problem, she started on S26 Gold, really bad wind and reflux, i then bought some Gripe water from the chemist, that helped, but still she had bad wind, i then changed her formula 2 Heins, well you know what thay say about Heins Beakedbeans (they make you fart!!!) that stoped the problem, now everything is ok, so maby try changing formula.

Jill - posted on 01/17/2009

I would get a second opinion about not having juice until 6 months. She should be able to have a little prune juice, watered down or mixed with her formula

Jill - posted on 01/17/2009

consult your doctor but there are drops you can add to her formula that will relieve her gas. Also if you add a little prune juice to her formula it will help with digestion as well. Good luck:)

Twyla - posted on 01/17/2009

Hard stools=constipation in a child... Talk to your doctor or a nutritionist to figure out what the intake of fluids should be. It might be necessary to change her formula, but do talk to your family doc, or call a community health nurse. Also you want a check to make sure that her anatomy is okay (no pockets or issues with the bowel or anus that are the real cause of her discomfort)

Kate - posted on 01/17/2009

Brauer Colic relief worked a treat for us, Its a homeopathic treatment and gets them farting straight away :D

Andrea - posted on 01/17/2009

My daughter had this problem, i added 1 oz extra water to her bottle of formula and it helped, my doctor also said it was okay to do that, you can also give her mylicon drops they help with the gassy build up babies get when they get constipated.

Michelle - posted on 01/17/2009

I was having the same issue with my son..painful bowel movements, although he was only having one every few days. I switched his formula from Similac to Nestle's Good Start and within a few days he was much more comfortable...and I was changing a lot more diapers!

Carroll - posted on 01/17/2009

Sugar Water for a month old baby? have you taken that information to the doctor??  Is your doctor in agreeance with this?? If so please request proof that the doctor is infact a doctor and is qualified and licenced to be giving out medical advice. You never feed a month old baby sugar or water. water should only started after the first solid food is introduced and sugar should not be used in anything a baby eats or drinks until they are well past a year old.

Carroll - posted on 01/17/2009

The no water warning is used with infants. Baby is 5 months old which is the age that baby should be on pureed baby food and it is also the stage where one to two ounces of  water at mealtimes is safe for her. Formula is still giving on scheduled intervals but water is safe for a baby of that age provided it is boiled for a minimum of 3 to 5 minutes rapidly and then cooled to room temperature. The small amount of water that I have just advised on will only help baby to digest the solids and will help to encourage the bowels to work properly as well as cleanse the baby's gums which in turn prevents future tooth decay and begins baby on a healthy dietary lifestyle.  Advising against watering down formula is a good thing if in fact a parent is doing that but this parent is not suggesting that she has done anything of the sort she is simply resquesting advice on how to ease her baby's constipation. Another bad piece of advice being given in this topic is the use of juices. Any up-to-date Pediatrician will tell a parent that any juice of any type, even watered down, is an absolute NO-NO for baby's. It is the major contribution to tooth decay and other stomach ailments. Juice should be avoided until a child is 2 or older, and even then should only be given in small amounts and not often throughou the day and never at night.  I am giving this advice as both a parent to two babies that had many allergies and bowel issues, as well, I am a Nursing Assistant and have been educated in the stages of baby's dietary needs. Good luck and I hope the little sweety is feeling better fast. God Bless

Louisa - posted on 01/17/2009

have you try sugar water it works with my son who is a month old

Leigh - posted on 01/14/2009

my daughter had/ has the same issue and is almost 3.  She has always had a hard time.  I sometimes give her, pedia lax in her juice it works best to soften up her stools, the doctor gave us all kinds of meds to try when she was a baby but this one is good and its over the counter.  Also at 5/ 6 months I would put her on the baby potty when she got to grunting and she would poop on the potty she liked it better than the diaper.  It takes paying attention and plus I don't work but she has been pooping in the  potty  for ever because of that and was peep peep potty trained by a year old.  Good luck it is heartbreaking!!

Elizabeth - posted on 01/14/2009

I had to give my son Miralax.  It is a stool soffener that is clear and you mix it in any kind of liquid.  Doesn't taste bad (at least he never knew it was in there).  You can buy it at any drug store.  Try that....ask your ped. first though.  I never try something new unless I ask for drs opinion.

Nichol - posted on 01/14/2009

try giving Water or switch (w/doctor's approval) the formula your using. When my 2nd had that problem I would give her water & then rub her tummy to sooth the pain. Went to the doctors & she said try switching to a gentler formula. once I did that, her pain disappeared.

Maritza - posted on 01/14/2009

I DO AGREE WITH EVERYONE THAT HAS REPLIED TO YOU.YES,THE PRUNE WITH WATER ALL IT'S EXCELLENTS.BUT,WHEN U SEE UR BABY GOING CRAZY CAUSE SHE CAN MOVE HER BOWEL...OH MY.TO EASE THE PAIN AND GET COMFORT FAST.INFANT SUPPOSITORIES.UR NOT HARMING HER.KEEP IN MIND  SHE'S 5 MONTHS SO THAT IS WHY I SAID CUT IN HALF,CARVE THE TOP PART OF IT THIN.INSERT IN THE RECTUM WITH UR THUMB.KEEP UR THUMB BLOCKING SO THAT IT WON'T SLIP OUT.PUT A PAMPER AND U WILL SEE.NOW U DON'T WANT TO GET HER USED TO THIS METHOD.BUT MOST BABIES GO THROUGH IT AND THEN IT WILL BE NORMAL.U CAN FIND THE ITEM IN ANY PHARMACE.SUPPOSITORIES FOR INFANTS OR I THINK IT'S TODDLER.

Maritza - posted on 01/14/2009

I DO AGREE WITH EVERYONE THAT HAS REPLIED TO YOU.YES,THE PRUNE WITH WATER ALL IT'S EXCELLENTS.BUT,WHEN U SEE UR BABY GOING CRAZY CAUSE SHE CAN MOVE HER BOWEL...OH MY.TO EASE THE PAIN AND GET COMFORT FAST.INFANT SUPPOSITORIES.UR NOT HARMING HER.KEEP IN MIND  SHE'S 5 MONTHS SO THAT IS WHY I SAID CUT IN HALF,CARVE THE TOP PART OF IT THIN.INSERT IN THE RECTUM WITH UR THUMB.KEEP UR THUMB BLOCKING SO THAT IT WON'T SLIP OUT.PUT A PAMPER AND U WILL SEE.NOW U DON'T WANT TO GET HER USED TO THIS METHOD.BUT MOST BABIES GO THROUGH IT AND THEN IT WILL BE NORMAL.U CAN FIND THE ITEM IN ANY PHARMACE.SUPPOSITORIES FOR INFANTS OR I THINK IT'S TODDLER.

Naomi - posted on 01/14/2009

Oh yeah, and don't give her too much prunes because you don't want her to have the runs, that can be very messy!

Naomi - posted on 01/14/2009

I gave my daughter a small jar of prunes in the baby food section, and her pediatrician suggested I rub her belly in a circular motion going clock wise to help move the stuff through her digestive system. Starting off with a straight downward motion repeatedly on the left side of their belly (making the letter I, say "I" when you do this), then going across the top of their belly and then down the left side (making an L shape, saying "Love"), then doing a complete circular motion (making a U shape, saying "You"). This is also a great massage for them because babies get stressed to :)

Cassie - posted on 01/14/2009

ha all moms have clueless moments...not just 1st timers :)  lol

Cassie - posted on 01/14/2009

ha all moms have clueless moments...not just 1st timers :)  lol

Kimberly - posted on 01/14/2009

She is on the Nestle Good Start since she was one month old. She will be starting solids at the end of the month. I do mix the formula precisely as the instructions indicate. Her stools were quite hard a couple of days ago, then they got more loose. We see the ped next week, but I just needed to know beforehand what helps. I can't give her the juice yet until she is 6 months (as the Dr says), but I think I will try water. Thank you all so much for the help, i will def keep in mind if there is this continuing problem later on as well. It's nice to know this Cirlce is here for clueless first moms like myself LOL

Kim - posted on 01/14/2009

This is kind of different than the other suggestions you have been offered, but it is worth a try as it works for my niece that I care for. When she is having one of the screaming, crying spells while trying to poop we sit her in a tub of warm water for a few minutes and she usually goes soon after. Sometimes she will even go before we can get her out of the towel and into a diaper.

Cassie - posted on 01/14/2009

I agree one hundred percent with Crissie...NO WATER!!!!  This is something most all peditricians will tell you....it is older parents who did that, but as long as babies are getting formula or breastmilk they do not need water.   I really think you should talk to your ped....just so you know their opinion and you feel better about whatever you choose to do to help your sweet littlw baby :)  It will make you feel alot better!

Trish - posted on 01/14/2009

Hi Kimberly,

My oldest daughter had this problem, and still does, she is 4 1/2 now.  I can't even count the number of ER visits and doctors visits(both at our GP and at the PEDS doc), I found that not one thing will work all the time.  A couple of things that did work for me were prunes and prune juice(stick with Heinz if you can because there are no additives), also mineral oil, just a little bit on a regular basis so that it keeps her stools soft.  Have you had her to your family doctor or a pediatrician?  Also the  kind of formula you are using could have too much iron in it, that could give her some constipation.  I fed both of my girls soy formula and they both did very well on it.  Another little trick if she is not going regularly is too put a little vaseline on your little finger and just massage her rectum, it will stimulate her and give her the urge to push.  Good luck!

Crissie - posted on 01/14/2009

DO NOT GIVE HER EXTRA WATER...there was a news story where a family was simply watering down formula to stretch it and the baby almost died! Drs will tell you that they get all the water they need by their food & formula. Read this story: http://www.tampabay.com/news/health/arti... But for the constipation or hard bowels, you can also give her applesauce, apple juice, pears, grapes, and of course, prunes, which my son HATED. But the other fruits I listed helped a lot! Good luck.

Clare - posted on 01/14/2009

when mine were babies i had the same problem with both of them, i tried everything water, a tiny bit of orange juice in the water an so on my health visitor suggested changing the formula that my babies were on to one that was kinder on there little tummys it was called cow an gate comfort a bit more expensive but so worth it because its a thicker feed you have to make sure that you get a bigger single holed teat for it to flow through, some babies just done get along with the normal formulas and its common for babies to have more formed and harder stoles but the comfort formula prevents this and was the only thing to work for my little ones im not saying it will defo work for your little one but its worth a try

Maritza - posted on 01/14/2009

HI,I'M A MOTHER OF 3 CHILDREN.AGES 18,16,3.I DID GO THROUGH WHAT UR GOING THROUG NOW.YES,IT'S HEART BREAKING.WHAT I USED BELIEVE IT OR NOT WAS INFANT SUPPOSITORIES.U TAKE IT CUT IT IN HAVE STAY WITH THE TOP POINTY PART.THROW AWAY THE END.NOW UR GOING TO CARVE UNTIL IT'S THIN.INSERT IN THE RECTUM PUT A PAMPER QUICKY AND QUICKLY THE BABY WILL B IN CLOUD 9.TRUST ME.TRY IT.UR NOT HURTING HER.IF U HAVE ANY QUESTION ASK.HOPE ALL WORKS WELL.

Kimberly - posted on 01/14/2009

I actually agree with Anny.  Her problem may be a reaction to that formula.  If you haven't tried other formulas, do that.  First, switch to a different brand of the same thing, if that doesn't work, there are different types for sensitive stomachs.  It might also be related to a milk sensitivity.  My son was horrible for 3 months and I started him on a soy based formula, which did the trick.  Then when he was 1 I switched him back to milk-based formula (after I began introducing dairy into his diet).  Each child is different, but it might help.

Kristine - posted on 01/14/2009

Maybe she has an allergy to the formula ??

Angela - posted on 01/14/2009

yeah- i did the same thing just alittle bit of diluted prune juice. and then once my son started eating baby food- i would mix in a little prune food with a fruit like pears. i do the same thing with my 20 month old too- mix in baby food prunes with applesauce.

Khasturi - posted on 01/14/2009

Hey , i had de same prob with my girl...i gaf her diluted prune juice to drink in de morning and walla her stools became softer..... just mix 1 oz of pure pruene juice with 3 oz warm water.....it worked for my kid

Carroll - posted on 01/14/2009

What formula are using, is the most important question. If you are using a formula with extra iron then all you need to do is change to a different formula that is not enriched with extra irom. At 5 months, baby is ready solids so extra iron in formula is not neccessary unless baby is anemic. The better formula to use (provided baby is not lactose intolerant) is Nestle Good Start. And at this age group baby is ready for small amounts of water with her solid foods. Keep boiled water (rapidly boiled for 3 to 5 minutes) in a container of its own at room temperature. With every mealtime get baby to sip from a small bottle with water in it and try to avoid formula during mealtimes. And,  yes adding step one prunes to baby's solids is a good idea. Best of luck and hope all the advice helps.

Charlese - posted on 01/14/2009

Hi kimberly, have you tried prune juice diluted with a little baby water? It sounds like she is constipated or stools are too hard.  What worked for my son was pear juice  and if I needed to make his stools loose. I used prune juice. I hoped this helps.

Amy - posted on 01/14/2009

Perhaps try a different formula; they make some that are "gentle on tummies". Ask the Dr.; you don't want her in pain! Fruit juice (prune, pear) might also do the trick; a little in a bottle might help.

Heather - posted on 01/14/2009

Karo syrup is amazing - it worked with all three of my children.  Sometimes it takes time for their little bowels to get the hang of things.  The advice I was given was maintain the same formula brand and a little Karo (it is a little hard to mix - a little warm water when you mix the formula seems to help it)  But careful on giving straight water - their bodies are still not ready to process too much water. 

Lynn - posted on 01/14/2009

Karo syrup in her formula just a tablespoon in one bottle a day.  you can put it in water too.  My daughter had a tough time with bowel movements and this is the only thing that worked

Laura - posted on 01/14/2009

Try water, water and more water. Offer your baby as much cool boiled water in between milk feeds as possible. My daughter is 16 month and still suffers wqith hard bowel movements but up untill about 3 months ago she would refuse to drink I think its best to introduce them to drinking (other than milk for eating) as young as possible. I have suppositories for my daughter and wish it didnt come to this by just giving her more water from the start. Hope it helps :)

Cassie - posted on 01/14/2009

have you started her on foods yet??? also i don't know if her bowels are extemely hard, but if they are not...keep in mind when babies are very little the do cry when they poop usually it has stopped by this age though well for me anyhow.  IF she is on foods I suggest giving her a tiny bit of baby food prunes...start with a very little bit though because you don't want to over do it.  I found that two teaspoons a day helped me with my son, but my mother n law swears she had to give an entire container for all four of her kids, ever kid is different though...so i suggest little by little.  But talk to you peditrician first of course...you don't want to take anyones advice unless your ped is on board with it!!!  Good luck :)