Constipated Baby! Please Help!

YSMom · November 2011

Hello,

Baby has been having a hard time pooping she didn't poop yesterday and I can tell she is in pain she turns red and looks like she's pushing..Poor little one. What do I do? Any recommendations? I'm breastfeeding and giving her one feeding of Similac Soil twice a day. Can the constipation be because of the formula? I haven't given her any formula today hoping that she will poop soon. Please Help!!!

Samandis · November 2011

I'm assuming it's Soy formula and yeah it can make them constipated. Put about 1 teaspoon of dark Karo syrup in the bottle 1-2 times a day and it should help it get softer and be able to pass. My baby has had REALLY bad constipation from it getting too hard and big to pass (sorry tmi), but I had to hold her legs to her chest and put a q-tip in vasaline around the "area" to help her pass it. It was be scary and just know that once it passes, you should still add a little syrup to the bottle to help keep it from getting hard again.

LadyVi33 · November 2011

Actually, it's normal, especially if you breast feed, to go several days without having a bowel movement. When LO does finally go, as long as it's a normal consistency, she's not constipated. I'd call the pediatrician before adding anything to bottles. If she really seems to be in pain trying to pass something, my pediatrician recommended taking a rectal temp. LO's insides are still figuring out to work, so sometimes it takes awhile for them to learn to release their sphincter. Taking the rectal temp will do it. GL! If it makes you feel any better, we had this same issue in the beginning. He would only have a BM 2-3x/week, but it's regulated itself now. He goes about once a day.

LadyVi33 · November 2011

double post, sorry!

bumpuser5468658 · November 2011

Like PP said, it is normal to go a couple of days without a poop when BF and the formula can cause some constipation. From what I understand it is normal for a baby to bear down and turn red everytime they poop no matter the consistancy...they are still getting all of those muscles figured out and it can be a challenge for them. My LO was on soy milk for a short period and was constipated on it, my pedi said to buy the adult glycerin suppositories and cut them in half and insert rectally....it only took about 10 min to loosen him up an make him feel better. Every pedi has their own "recipe" for constipation, you should check to see what yours says. GL!

clineak · November 2011

I've heard that pear juice works wonders, as well as adding a teaspoon of dark Karo syrup to baby's bottle. Good luck!

heystranger14 · November 2011

We did apple juice mixed with water. LO started out having poops every feeding and then went days without going. Mix the juice half and half.

MrsClark8109 · November 2011

Same situation DD is 80% breastfed and 20% FF...called the pedi and she said that they don't really do anything if baby is getting more than 50% BM until its been 5 days. Suggested rubbing the belly, bicycle legs and pressing on the rectum with a wet wipe when you change the diaper....we've been doing that and got 1 really full diaper in 48 hours out of her but then its been another 24 hours no BM. She's also REALLY REALLY gassy...