Tricks for a constipated preemie?

bkjcwedding

One of my little guys hasn't been able to poop since 6pm on Thursday.  I called the pedi this morning and got the okay to add mylacon drops for gas pains.  When I asked about constipation they suggested putting 1 tbsp of dark karo syrup into his bottle at each meal until he's able to go.  Has anyone tried this? If so did it work?

I'm going to give it a go since the pedi okay'd it, but just wondered what others had done. I've learned from my time in the NICU that preemie moms and nurses have WAY more tricks up their sleeves than doctors.  Just trying to learn from the real experts. 

oct72006bride

we do 1TB prune juice in each bottle to keep her regular (per doc orders)

rhabel

I've always heard NOT to give a baby karo syrup or honey for constipation because you risk a botulism infection.  Given that you have a preemie with a weak immune system, I would question that pedi's advice and be looking for a new one.  That's really outdated information. 

Also, it's totally normal for babies to go a day or two without pooping.  It doesn't necessarily mean the baby is constipated.  Constipation is marked by hard, dry and difficult to pass stool.  If your baby's BM's looked normal before, then it's probably not constipation, just a normal slow-down in the bowels.  It could be that your baby is going through a growth spurt and absorbing more from milk and not producing as much stool.  Is your baby breastfed?

My DD didn't go all day yesterday and her last poop was Thursday night.  I did some rectal stimulation last night with a thermometer and she pooped early this morning twice.  Two biggun's.  Sometimes babies are like us and just need some extra time.  If you want to try rectal stim, just put some vaseline on the end of a rectal thermometer and insert 1/4-1/2 inch in your baby's rectum and pull out.  You should see their little sphincter clinch for a second.  Don't worry if nothing happens right away, it may take a minute or two. 

But seriously- the karo syrup thing worries me.  Here's what a doc from the mayo clinic has to say about it: https://www.mayoclinic.com/health/karo-syrup-for-constipation/AN01826

lemen99

We tried:

glycerin chips

prune juice

miralax

bicycling legs 10 min/day

 

Miralax worked the best and was easiest on his tummy.  Prune juice worked, but it was such a fine line between not working and major blowouts and it has a lot of sugar.  Glycerin chips are not a good long term solution as we had to do this for about 6 months before he learned to poop. GI specialist is the one that recommended Miralax.  We gave it every day in his bottle and worked well.

 

lemen99

p.s. agree with pp not to worry unless your LO seems uncomfortable.  We had to do it b/c Andrew didn't know how to poop and he would get so uncomfortable and fussy that he'd refuse to eat for like 8 hours as a newborn which isn't good. 

 

msalinardi@live.com

I second questioning the Karo syrup. Our pedi told us not to do that until at least one year. I would suggest sticking a thermometer about a quarter of an inch up your LO's bum to try and stimulate a BM. That usually worked with DD, but if her constipation was especially bad we would use a 4th of a glycerine suppository and we would have action within hours.

Sarah_Fay

msalinardi@live.com:

I second questioning the Karo syrup. Our pedi told us not to do that until at least one year. I would suggest sticking a thermometer about a quarter of an inch up your LO's bum to try and stimulate a BM. That usually worked with DD, but if her constipation was especially bad we would use a 4th of a glycerine suppository and we would have action within hours.

This!  Tried this last time DS was constipated and within 15 minutes he had went.  I would try rectal stimulation first and then the suppository.  I got mine at CVS.  GL!

stevenkramer48

my NICU nurse also said if have this issue to do the rectal timulation and than suppository!

Jillian

Sweets2005

DD has issues with constipation. If she doesn't go for more than a 2-3 days, it is really hard and gets stuck coming out which results in a long night of screaming and pain. In which case, we have to use glycerin suppositories. It's awful! So now if she doesn't go for a 2 days, I give her a few bites of prune puree and that seems to help get her going again.

Sweets2005

Oh I just saw your LO is way too little for puree! If I were you, I would give 1 teaspoon to 1 tablespoon of prune juice (depending on the size of the bottle) in every bottle until he goes. Yes it has a lot of sugar but its better than being uncomfortable

adelepickle

Karo didn't work for DS. I used 2oz of 100% prune juice.That REALLY worked!