constipated baby

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-22-2003
constipated baby
9
Wed, 03-31-2004 - 7:10pm
My son is 10 months old and for about the last 3 months he has had problems with bowels. He soetimes doesn't go and then when he does, it's so huge I can't imagine passing it! I really don't want to put him on laxitives, which is what the doctor suggested, does anyone have any advice?
iVillage Member
Registered: 10-21-2003
Wed, 03-31-2004 - 7:23pm
Have you tried changing his formulas/milk? My 14 month old had the same problem and we just fixed it recently. by takinf him off of Homogenized milk and going to soy milk and adding water to his juices. A lot of times the extra large bowel movements are because they are a little dehydrated. Not to be gross...but does it smell really bad, and is it funny, chalky, in colour? Also if that isn't the problem (My DD had problems as a baby as well, but for totally different reasons) try buying Bran Buds (kellogg's cereal) and pureeing them in the blender...then sprinkle the powder on all his foods, or mixing it in. This is a natural softener and should help. As for the laxatives there were times we needed to resort to it for our DD...so we would get the liquid kind (Senekot liquid...looks and smells really icky but works VERY well) and mix it in some oatmeal (she LOVES oatmeal, eats it everyday for breakfast and she's 6 now!LOL), this way it was less intrusive and so not a battle point for taking it. Usually this was a last resort, used if she was sick and not eating (couldn't get the bran) so a little went a long way. Again adding water to drinks is great for helping them become regular. Now that DD is 6, she is regular and does not need the bran, or laxative. Good Luck Shelley
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-29-2003
Thu, 04-01-2004 - 12:09pm
my 8yo has had cronic constipation since she was born.. pears have been the answer for us.. pears happen to be the highest fiber fruit..... lately we have been eating alot of fresh pears..and she just doenst know what to do...she thinks she has diarrhea....and she is acuatly normal...lol......
iVillage Member
Registered: 01-04-2004
Thu, 04-01-2004 - 12:15pm
this is a problem i know all to well my 3 yearold has had this problem since she started on solids and its awfull she takes 3 days to pass unusuall size and amounts the best thing to do is lots and lots of fibre if your baby is eating solids wheatabix is good or 1/2 teaspoon of brown sugar in his milk.

also try prune juice it might make him loose but it works for most people my daughter is finally started to grow out of it thanks to one lady on here who surgested apple juice and lots of it as laxy's were not working any thing with loads of fibre brown bread and stuff its very hard i know i hope you get it sorted and dont have to go through 3 years of it i wouldn't wish it on any one.

oh and vasaline around the bum will help it slide out without catching the skin around and making it sore.

i hope i've hilped good luck

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-10-2003
Thu, 04-01-2004 - 8:22pm
My son was the exact same way as a baby. My Family Doc told me when he started to show signs of constipation to put 1 teaspoon of Karo Syrup in his bottle and mix it up. It worked like a charm! Good luck, I know what your going through and it's not fun!

~Chrissy

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iVillage Member
Registered: 12-22-2003
Sat, 04-03-2004 - 4:14pm
Thanks everyone! I will try these things!
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-06-2004
Sun, 04-04-2004 - 6:32pm
Apple juice worked for us (but too much gave her diarrea) and I also give my daughter raisins sometimes, or "craisins" for a change. They are cranberry-raisins (made by Ocean Spray) and they sell them in the produce department at my grocery store.

~Jolene

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-18-1999
Tue, 04-06-2004 - 12:15pm
Hi,

Is he drinking juice? If so, try mixing a little prune juice in with some apple juice. This works for my daughter. Now, as long as she has some apple juice everyday, things go smoothly.

Good luck!

Avatar for carlamichelle
iVillage Member
Registered: 01-17-2004
Sun, 06-13-2004 - 4:44pm
When it gets really bad, you can add 1 tsp of mineral oil to a bottle or apple sauce. It really helps.

My DD is 2 and she has had this problem for over a year. I have to rotate what I use and be very careful that I only give her whole grain foods and uncooked fruits. What also helps is concord grape juice. and the Karo syrup , mineral oil, (mushed baby sweet potatoes helped when she was small but she refuses to eat them now.) and when all else fails, baby suppositories.

The problem is that if you let it go too long, the baby will horde a bm to avoid the pain of passing it.

I hope that helps! I know it is a very frustrating thing for us and is compounded by the fact that DD is a very picky eater. Just keep trying things!


Carla

siggie-1.jpg picture by carlamichelle

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-29-2003
Sun, 06-13-2004 - 9:18pm
apple juice, we later found out by trial and error, was actually what was causing our dds constipation......once i quit the apple juice, she did better, ..... so when you do try stuff, go slow.and keep notes....... see if you find something that might be causing it