Problems with Enfamil AR and constipation

Kristi - posted on 08/20/2011

Flax seed oil is a much more gentle way to help a baby with constipation issues. It doesn't add unneeded sugars like apple juice or Karo syrup to their little systems. Rice is actually a grain that is fed to help combat diarrhea, so it seems pretty reasonable that it would cause constipation. I would look into a goat's milk formula or something like that if you really need to do formula. Good luck! Hope your little one is feeling better soon. :)

Kat - posted on 12/17/2009

Also, I keep seeing people say Apple Juice. The sugars in apple juice (assuming you baby has not ever had apple juice) will dehydrate the baby. Water is the way to go. **I am not saying people who said apple juice are wrong so please do not take offense....fruit for older babies does help them poop....a lot haha)

Kat - posted on 12/17/2009

Rice, Oatmeal, and bananas bind babies. My son had the SAME problem. Dilute 1oz of water with the formula. If hes still constipated on Enfamil AR you may want to consider switching his formula to something more gentle. I know Nestle has formulas with DHA and ARA which both help infants digest formula easier. Also, if you went right from one formula to another without mixing them together for awhile, his digestive system may be upset and trying to "process" the new elements that are introduced to his body. If all else fails call the doctor and talk to her/him about suppository (its sad, but sometimes has to be the answer).

ERIN - posted on 12/17/2009

If your baby is drinking Enfamil AR and constipated you should try a soy base formula like prosobe lipil. make sure its not a milk base formula. he might be lactose tolerant so try a soy base formula. my daughter had the same problem and when i switched her to soy based formula she was a lot better.

Melissa - posted on 12/17/2009

My pediatrician recommended Karo syrup like the other posts said. You can find it on the syrup grocery aisle. My little guy was constipated when we brought him home from the hospital and then again at around 4 months when I started giving him cereal. He is now 5 months and goes everyday. Every once in awhile I have to give him Pedialax liquid (works immediately) suppositories or Pedialax liquid stool softener. CVS or other drugstores also carry children's glycerin suppositories which my pediatrician said to cut in half and insert. It can take anywhere from 15 mins. to 2 hours but all of these products work great. If my little man doesn't go regularly (every two days or so) then I will go ahead and give him any one of those suggestions. Hope it helps!

Natasha - posted on 12/17/2009

Karo syrup you can find at any grocery store w/ the pancake syrup. There is dark and light, my pediatrician suggested dark. 1 teaspoon every other 4-6 oz bottle. Good luck.

Amanda - posted on 12/17/2009

The doctor said prosobe was not for my son because he was okay for 5 months. Then he got a bad stomach virus and kept throwing up for weeks. After he got better, his whole stomach ruined and now he has acid reflux so the enfamil A.R is thicker with the rice cereal in it and it keeps everything down...but where do I buy that syrup stuff and I seen some people mention clear or dark syrup.

Amanda - posted on 12/17/2009

oh interesting Lisa what is Karo syrup though and where can I get it? and do you put it in each bottle?

Aimee - posted on 12/17/2009

Probiotic's! Both my sons got constipated when starting solids, changing to formula etc.. You can buy them at chemists, open the capsule, mix with about 3-4mls water and use a little dropper to put into your lil one mouth. Start at 2 capsules a day then when stools soften drop back to one a day. This not only helps with constipation, but diarrhea, upset tummy, wind pains colds and flu's and the list goes on! This helps by promoting good bacteria for the gut..
Hope this helps!

Pamela - posted on 12/17/2009

Definitely Apple Juice. What you buy in the infant section should do the trick, if you buy the regular, make sure you mix it 50/50. Good Luck!

Michelle - posted on 12/17/2009

If he hasn't been constipated before the cereal, I have to wonder if switching to soy milk will do any good? How old is your son? Some people start babies on cereal too young and that causes some problems. But yeah, Kayo works too.

Kristy - posted on 12/17/2009

The same thing happened with our daughter and the dr. said to give her 2-3oz of baby pear juice a day. It works like a charm!

Letitia - posted on 12/17/2009

Try feeding him the baby food prunes instead of mixing it with prune juice. My son has had troubles with constipation on enfamil ar and I give him prunes.

ERIN - posted on 12/17/2009

TRY PRO SOBE LIPIL.....IT IS A SOY FORMULA NON MILK BASED. MY DAUGHTER WAS ALWAYS CONSTIPATED AND GASEY AND WHEN I PUT HER ON THIS IS CURED IT.

Krista - posted on 12/17/2009

try apple juice mixed with water. that should help. both of my kids were constipated on enfamil and i had to swtch. we use good start. it is really good.

Courtney - posted on 12/17/2009

My daughter was on enfamil ar. Try a spoon of Karo Syrup in each bottle.

Christina - posted on 12/17/2009

I would ask your doctor if you can put him on Alimentum instead, I had my son on every other formula in the world for acid reflux and colic, and most had to add rice and he was always conctipated, trust me, Alimentum is the BEST for babies with any kind of stomach issuses... I hope I help, if anyhing right back and I will be sure to give you more info. Good luck and congrats!

Rebecca - posted on 12/17/2009

give him oatmeal cereal for infants beechnut,i never gave my kids rice cereal.

Boots - posted on 12/17/2009

my oldest daughter went through the same thing....when u make him a bottle....try putting about a teaspoon of dark kayro syurp i his bottle with the formalated milk...if that doesnt work?...and it didnt after a while 4 my daughter...i talked 2 her doctor about it and they put her on the formula called "prosobie"...trust me i loved it!but i warn u...it doesnt have a very plesant smell 2 it....best of luck to u hun!

Shaun - posted on 12/17/2009

My now two year old had GERD as an infant terribly. I had this problem a lot! I tried apple juice, but it seemed to make him cramp up, the DARK Karo syrup was the best way to go for me, it was gentle and helped things along comfortably for him. Use a table spoon or so for 4 oz. of formula. I hope this helps, I know its challenging!

Amy - posted on 12/17/2009

One teaspoon of Kero syrup the clear kind did the trick for our little guy. We had a many problems with formula when my litte one was an infant. We ended his first year on soy.....what a difference. He did so much better and I wasn't screwing around with all the other stuff. Apple juice also worked, but his bowel movement was always a blow out on that. LOL Good luck.

Sheryl - posted on 12/17/2009

try apple juice it work's for my boys! hope that helps

Lisa - posted on 12/17/2009

My grand daughter had constipation with Enfamil AR too and we started putting a teaspoon of Karo syrup in at least one bottle a day. It has helped her tremendously. Hope this helps your son.

Brittany - posted on 12/17/2009

Give him apple juice. You can buy apple juice in the baby section that's already diluted or you can give him an ounce of apple juice and an ounce of water. Make sure he gets no more then 2 ounces though or he'll get diarrhea.

Kat - posted on 12/17/2009

Rice, Oatmeal, and bananas bind babies. My son had the SAME problem. Dilute 1oz of water with the formula. If hes still constipated on Enfamil AR you may want to consider switching his formula to something more gentle. I know Nestle has formulas with DHA and ARA which both help infants digest formula easier. Also, if you went right from one formula to another without mixing them together for awhile, his digestive system may be upset and trying to "process" the new elements that are introduced to his body. If all else fails call the doctor and talk to her/him about suppository (its sad, but sometimes has to be the answer).

ERIN - posted on 12/17/2009

If your baby is drinking Enfamil AR and constipated you should try a soy base formula like prosobe lipil. make sure its not a milk base formula. he might be lactose tolerant so try a soy base formula. my daughter had the same problem and when i switched her to soy based formula she was a lot better.

Letitia - posted on 12/17/2009

Try feeding him the baby food prunes instead of mixing it with prune juice. My son has had troubles with constipation on enfamil ar and I give him prunes.

Courtney - posted on 12/17/2009

My daughter was on enfamil ar. Try a spoon of Karo Syrup in each bottle.

Lisa - posted on 12/17/2009

My grand daughter had constipation with Enfamil AR too and we started putting a teaspoon of Karo syrup in at least one bottle a day. It has helped her tremendously. Hope this helps your son.