Constipation?

JeepersWife

LO has been on a mix of breast milk and AR formula (rather than all breast as we had been) for the past 10 days or so. Starting almost a week into this, last Thurs., I started noticing that perhaps he is constipated. He was having a good poop once a day or more in the hospital, but now isn't. I noticed it because for two days he had a little ball of poo, very little, and has been getting fussy. He will grunt and strain in his sleep or when awake, when eating and all in between. I know some of you mentioned that preemies seem to grunt a lot and I definately have a little Billy goat on my hands! But it seems like he whines and grunts, like he is in pain. He squirms his body too. For three days now, he has not pooped on his own, I have had to give him a suppository (childrens size cut into fourths). I have been told the AR can cause constipation, but I have cut back the ratio from 1:1 to doing 1/3 of formula to breast milk (which has a small amount of AR in it to fortify it for 24 calories. So, any other suggestions? Does it sound like he is constipated to you? We have another pedi appointment tomorrow and I defiantly plan to ask him about this. Last night was rough!

bhilyer

We're not on AR, but we do add rice to BM.  Our GI dr put JS on Miralax to offset the possible constipation from the rice. 

I've done the suppositories before as well.  I like giving him Miralax daily to avoid problems.

Good luck!

JeepersWife

Perhaps I should add that during these fussy times LO sucks like crazy on his paci...I wish I could strap it to his head! Not sure if this is a coping mechanism for a tummy ache or to help his reflux...

lilstar2009

Mine has reflux, was placed on Zantac and now no more reflux..just constipation...He too, sucks on his paci like there's no tomorrow after grunting and turning red and crying out of frustration...he is on only BM and never had a problem going before the Zantac.  He went from pooping a little with every diaper, to going once a day...poor thing..

Denesdia

The additional formula that we fortified the BM caused DD to get backed up, too.  Check with your Pedi if your little one can have a little diluted juice of some kind to get things going.  We tried everything; the warm baths, cycling the legs, etc., but ultimately a little fruit juice (extremely diluted with water) saved us.  It's so hard to see LO distressed with the poop issues.