constipation.

Shae - posted on 02/24/2010

When I switched from breast milk to formula my daughter got extremely constipated. The doctor told me that any bit of change in a babie's diet can constipate them and to give it time. She still got constipated though so I started giving glycerin suppositories (1/2 doses as recommended by the doc) and they would instantly work but I became dependent on them and I knew it had to be rough on her to be giving them every other day. I started putting a small amount of pear juice in her bottles. Start with a little and if it's still not enough increase it little by little. You'll know if you're giving too much because she'll have loose stools or upset stomach etc. but if it's not bothering her and still not helping like I said increase it. I also use corn syrup occasionally. Just be consistent in what you give once you find what works. Prevention is key...not treating it once she's already constipated and miserable and won't even take a bottle cause she's so blocked up! Good Luck!

Jessica - posted on 02/24/2010

Water, water, water! I wish someone had told me this earlier when I started feeding my baby cereal & pureed foods. Give her water @ evey meal, she might not take to it right away but keep trying it is the best thing for her & she will get used to drinking water now & hopefully still like it when she gets older. My dtr is 9mo & prefers water of juice still. Plus apple juice & other stuff that her digestive tract isn't used to at such a young ae can cause diarrhea so I say at least give it a try! Good luck!

Emily - posted on 02/24/2010

Feed her some baby prunes or pear juice. I really does work.

Katielouise - posted on 02/24/2010

a lot of babies end up constipated coz of the milk and the fact thay r put on food far 2 early my eldest son is dredfull for not pooin and he is 6 and bin like this since he was 6 week old. he went from brst milk to sma gold to sma white in 5 week witch messed his little system up we tryed evey thin my doc even gave us stuff but we found in between feeds boiled water then once a week 2oz fresh orange with 5oz water

Haze - posted on 02/24/2010

freshly boiled water in a bottle always helped my wee boy when younger and it also does the trick with my baby girl...x♥

Nicole - posted on 02/24/2010

watered down apple juice worked every time when my son was constipated... i still use apple juice actually...

Jennifer - posted on 02/24/2010

I completely relate to what you are going through. My daughter was the same way, except it was maybe once a week and now she is 4 and I have to use PEG in order to soften her stool so she has more comfortable bowel movements. DO NOT use apple juice as it will only make the problem worse. Try naural laxatives such as prunes or blueberries. Generally when you introduce a new food the bowel movements change (more or less) so it might be something that will go away but certainly mention it to your doctor so that you both can at least track it and can interveen. Remember, infant cereal has alot of iron in it and if the baby is on formula, that might be the problem. Good luck.

Kristi - posted on 02/24/2010

Water with some caro syrup helped my boys...

Misty - posted on 02/24/2010

my youngest was the worst, here r a few things that my doc suggest that actually helped...1tsp karo syrup per 2oz form, give 2oz juice aday, 1/2 pediatric glycerin suppository " cut long ways".

Jamie - posted on 02/24/2010

My daughter had the same problem. My aunt was over and is a firm believer in herbal remedies. She told me to take 3 drops of Orange Oil and 3 drops of Olive Oil mix them together with your finger 3 times clockwise in the palm of your hand. Then rub it on the bottom of your baby's foot. I did and in 5 minutes my daughter had a full diaper.

Sunayana - posted on 02/24/2010

Prune baby food worked for our little girl. Also raisin water (Boil a few raisins, strain them, and let the water cool down).

Jennifer - posted on 02/24/2010

I would recommend mixing a little ground flaxseed in with that baby cereal (it can be found in the health food section of most grocery stores) - it will keep things moving without being irritating to the baby (like laxatives). It works for me and for my son (8 months old). Karo syrup is like feeding your baby sugar - I personally wouldn't do it. Be careful with prune juice - it works, but too much can cause diarrhea.

Stevi - posted on 02/24/2010

My daughter is almost 2 months now and she was extermely constipated and has been for the past 2 or 3 weeks now. i took her to the doctors twice and the first time they told me to put a tea spoon of corn syrup in with their formula. it worked a little but she still wasnt pooping on her own. So from day one i would take a wet Q tip and just rub it on the inside of her butt and it would make her go. But i went to the doctors again and they gave me a laxitive. So just ask your doctor.

Courtney - posted on 02/24/2010

My son was the same way but it wasn't really hard when he finally went. I have been told by multiple Drs to never use Karo syrup. His Pediatritian put him on Lactulose but it didn't work so we took him to a Gastro Dr. and he put him on 1 tsp MiraLax 1x day. I give it to him in his first morning bottle. The cereal made him more constipated so his Pediatrician said to only give it to him in his bottle before bedtime. My nephew gets constipated but not as bad as my son and we use the same Pediatritian. He drinks prune juice and it helps him.

Nina - posted on 02/24/2010

I use Karo Syrup, I put it in my little one's juice once a day and it work's great

Christina - posted on 02/24/2010

I had the same problem with my 4 month old daughter. After 6 days of constipation, I called the doctor. They suggested I not give her solids until closer to 6 months and to try a baby suppository. I didn't want to but I thought her relief was more important. It worked! She let it all out!!! After that, I waited to give her solids and stuck with breast milk only. However,....at 51/2 mos. we start food again and she had the same problem. Very hard and very large bowels. She woke up screaming in the night and I had help her push it out. HEARTBREAKING. I switched to single grain oatmeal (the doc also suggested barley) and gave her 1st foods prunes, pears, or applesauce. She finally adjusted and now she poops like a champ. Overall advice, wait until she is closer to 6 mos. and try the fruits and single grain oats.

Ashley - posted on 02/24/2010

Ive heard to never use Karo syrup or sugar of any sort... My daughter is 3 1/2 months old and I give her prune juice... I put a 1/2 oz in her milk at every other feeding and it keeps her regular or u can try to mix it with water... Either way works great for me! Good luck!

Renee - posted on 02/24/2010

My daughter had the same problem. Her doctor said 2-3 ounces of prune juice with equal parts water. That did the trick.

Harmoni - posted on 02/24/2010

Just because she looks physocally read for solids does not mean her digestive tract is ready. I will really try cutting out the solids first and see what happens. I gave my son solids at 4 months because he was physically ready and it constipated him so i stopped the solids until 6 months and then he had no issues.

Mystie - posted on 02/24/2010

My daughter has had chronic constipation since birth and is now 4 years old. My first concern would be the use of cereal/food at 4 months. It's a little early for that based on most guidelines and many types of food can constipate. What type of formula are you using? If you are using a milk based version (similac advance/enfamil lipil) there may be a milk allergy. Our progression (guided entirely by our pediatrician) was switching from milk to soy formula. That didn't help much. She was then given the lactulose syrup (rx). It did seem to help at first but she became "immune" to it. She had a trip to the ER at age 2 for an impacted bowel. After several suppositories and enemas she passed it. After that time our pediatrician put her on Miralax. This has been a lifesaver for our family! I would NOT selfmedicate and would get your drs dosage instructions as I'm not sure you can use it in a 4 months old but if you can and it works for you like us...wow! I've read some other comments suggesting apple juice and I would have to warn against that. Our dr said the sugars in it will actually constipate as well as things like bananas are bad. So if the pureed food you are giving her is the type that are known to constipate you might want to change that. At 6 months our dr did have us try the Gerber Apple/Prune with a 1/2 juice 1/2 water dilution. She said the apple mixed in is enough to make it more tasty for the child but not enough to counter the prune effects. I feel for you and your daughter. Seeing that look of pain and fear and knowing that you can't just take it away really stinks.

Candice - posted on 02/24/2010

Talk to your Dr. about Peg powder. Paediatricians often recommend it.

Samantha - posted on 02/24/2010

About a half a teaspoon of Karo syrup in her bottle. Works every time. Both my girls were like that too. The every 2-3 day thing is fine for infants and toddlers, however if it is hard to pass and she/he is having trouble than that is hard. Some babies have a sesitivity to all the iron in the food we are giving them and that is what causes it. Try the Karo syrup trick, it really worked well for my daughter. My son however, poops six normal poops a day, lol. So he has no trouble like his sisters did. lol. Hope it all works out, Even the cardiologist I worked for told me to use it, his pediatrician had reccomended it for his daughter as well many years ago!

Karyn - posted on 02/24/2010

Hi Nicole, Massaging the abdomen gently in a clockwise direction usually softens the stool and helps the intestines move. Do it very gently with the flat part of your fingers. Since she is very small, two or three fingers should be fine. Warm baths also may help. Make sure that her vitamins have magnesium. Give her plenty of water. Exercise also helps, so you can play a game with her-moving her legs in and out. She may have a wheat allergy so try to keep wheat to a minimum, that includes cereal. At 4 months she can hand feed herself cut up cooked veggies, keep her diet pure and simple. Iron also constipates, ask you doctor if the vitamins she is taking contain iron. Good bowel movement is essential for removing toxins and immune function. Good luck. karyn

Marietjie - posted on 02/24/2010

prune juice is good and try a little bit of Butter or margarine in baby`s milk. that also helps

Crystal - posted on 02/24/2010

my doc had told me to get the gerber apple prune juice since she was a week old and to this day it works.. there is also another juice i use with carrots and mongo its a blend and it makes her go... if she has cereal bottles put the juice in her bottles or like if u make a bowl of cereal use juice and water at a half of each ratio!! hope this helps!!

Jennifer - posted on 02/23/2010

well have u tried the concentrated apple juice...or prune juice(the best) do have oz juice and half water....prune juice works the best ..thats what i had to do with my daughter docs orders

Sylvia - posted on 02/23/2010

I have found that Gerber Stage One Pureed Prunes works better than prune juice for my son's constipation, and he loves them. They are very sweet. Also, my son's doctor recommended Fleet Enema and I tried it one time. It was a HUGE mistake. He ended up with diarrhea and then a "anal fischer" which is a tear in the rectum. It was awful! The prunes are a much more gentle option. My son was miserable when he was constipated so I am sure your daughter is too. I hope it gets better soon. Good Luck!!

Randall - posted on 02/23/2010

You can give her bottles of water, just try not to give her too much because she could get full. You might also try to give her really watered down apple juice.

Nicole - posted on 02/23/2010

she never really pooped that much from the beginning like once a day or once every other day. and she is ready for solids so thats not the case. pediatrician said it was fine because she takes it well and just a bottle wasn't enough for her. thanks for all the suggestions. i hope something works cuz shes pooping really hard poop and strains so much i feel terrible.

Beth - posted on 02/23/2010

I have been told to use Karo Syrup by a friends. One teaspoon full should do she said. I didn't have the heart to give it to my son though when he was. So, I called our pediatrician and the nurse said to give him prune juice, pear juice and no apple juice. The apple juice just makes the constipation worse. Also, constipation is caused by not being hydrated enough. If you are breast feeding, try adding a little more water to the formula. Also, if all else fails, there is a product called pedia-lax that my nurse also told me about. It comes in a suppository form, (a plastic squeeze tube) and there is a liquid form with a dropper that can be added to the formula or juice. Ask your pediatrician on the dosage though. You don't want to give too much.

Desiree - posted on 02/23/2010

my son was like that he would go up to 5 day without pooping and it seems like it hurts him when he does go he screams ... i say give her a bottle or cup with water in it once a day it really helps or juice

Dana - posted on 02/23/2010

My son will be 3 next month and he has suffered from constipation since the day he was born! I tried EVERYTHING mentioned and FINALLY his pediatrition prescribed a prescription for of Miralax that mixes with any liquid and is tasteless. I can adjust his dosage at home as needed. It's the ONLY thing that has worked for him. I would also go back through family history and see if anyone suffered from other bowel problems!

Sarah - posted on 02/23/2010

My daughter is just like Danielle Hildebrand's child. Shes fifteen months old and we have tryed every thing!!!! Prunes juce pureed prunes fruit orange juice brn muffins cerals lactulose coloyxl drops lots of water plums even on the recomendation of great grandma brown sugar and water. nothing works! ive read some new ones on here im going to try though

Samantha - posted on 02/23/2010

If she is eating pureed food I would give prunes. It worked for my daughter!

Michelle - posted on 02/23/2010

i see alot of people suggesting kyro syrup and that stuff does work well you just have to be careful in making sure you dont give the baby too much cause it could her diarrhea but other then that make sure she is still getting enough liquid since you have her starting foods and if you just started on the food it might take a little time for her belly to get used to it. belly massages should help with the discomfort if its upsetting her. if it still seems to last a little longer just call your pediatrician they will be happy to answer your questions

Heather - posted on 02/23/2010

My son has been constipated and he is a month. i seen the doctor they said a little bit of prune juice or a little of the DARK Karo corn syrup works the best.

Andrea - posted on 02/23/2010

My daughter had the same problem it actually got to the point where she could keep nothing down because she was so backed up there was no room. Her doctor put her on mirilax which I mixed in to her drinks.

Cherie - posted on 02/23/2010

None of the juices or syrups ever helped my daughter. I used to do the thermo thing to as well and it was so sad her in so much pain and didnt work helped got it out but not with the constipation. I had changed her formula about 4 times ( sense the stupid peditrtcan I had just kept telling me to use the apple juice and kyro syrups, I took matter into my own hands) and after switching doctors finally found one that works.. its Nutramigen. Ask your peditrician if you can switch.

Harmoni - posted on 02/23/2010

Call your pediatrician, my dr prescribed baby colace for my son when he was constipated.
I would recommended cutting out the solid foods and seeing if that helps.
Is your baby breastfed or formula fed?

Chelse - posted on 02/23/2010

My daughter struggled with this too. Sometimes i even had to help her. You can mix about a tablespoon of Mineral oil in with her bottle or there are laxatives you can buy at the store for children.

Nichole - posted on 02/23/2010

1 Tablespoon of karo Syrup (can find in baking asile) to her bottle.. Get em' pooping

I used this on my daughter who is now 18 months old.. Also pear or prune juice works pretty well, ask your Dr. what they suggest

Amanda - posted on 02/23/2010

I had to lower my daughters iron intake because she couldn't handle all the iron in ceresl & the formula. Bannana's & rice are big constipators aswell...so try limiting these.

Melody - posted on 02/23/2010

Is your daughter breastfed or formula fed? The problem may be the solids she's on. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends babies have nothing but breastmilk (1st choice or infant formula (last choice) for the first 6 months. Babies digestive systems are not usually mature enough until after they turn six month old to be able to tolerate anything but (breast)milk.
You might try stopping the solids until she's at least a couple months older and see if that helps. ; )
Good luck!!

Caroline - posted on 02/23/2010

try to add some prunes in her baby cearal! That usually works. :)

Luaia - posted on 02/23/2010

My son had the same exact problem! He wouldn't go for a couple of days and when he finally had to go he would scream as if he were being abused. The doctor told me to give him prune juice! So I would mix a little with his juice. It worked.

Lupita - posted on 02/23/2010

i think that the only think she should be eating is babycereal dont give her puree until she is about 6 months that is what my doctor recommended me because my baby had that problem too, and what worked for me, also add some Karo syrup in her bottle and she would poo, or cook some oatmeal with water let it boil for 3 minutes and use the water for her formula(only use half of that water and the other half of baby water) that worked the best for me

Amber - posted on 02/23/2010

her little belly is to small for that food you are giving her. you need to stop giving it to her till she is six mth and then you start with cereal first then start with the food little bit at a time. going at it all at once will constipate her. good luck.

Aimee - posted on 02/23/2010

A tiny bit of sugar in cooled boiled water in between feeds worked for me

Belinda - posted on 02/23/2010

Do You Give Her Water?? With Nothing Else In It? Usually When Baby's Are Constipated They Are Dehydrated And Just Need Water

Erin - posted on 02/23/2010

My son has had constipation issues since he was 4 months old too. We have been to the pediatrician many times and have seen a specialist. The first thing we tried was the juice. Apple or apple prune juice (gerber makes these) work pretty well. After that the doctor prescribed lactulose syrup. And after that he had us try milk of magnesia. If it were up to me though and I could do it all over again I would just stop giving her the food until she gets a little older. All of my son's problems started when he started food.