Karo Syrup for Constipation

molisar · August 2011

Hi Ladies:

My 17 wk old (EBF) is constipated and very uncomfortable. My pedi recommended Karo syrup (dark). But I just googled it and it seems there are mixed reviews on it? The primary one is that Karo syrup today does not have the chemical structure that can help relieve constipation.

Has anyone tried Karo Syrup? Or had a pedi recommend any other remedies?

EDIT - he is also not necessarily constipated. He just hasn't had a BM since Saturday (normally has one a day) and is grunting and crying/fidgeting a lot when he's try to poop.

EDWHIP · August 2011

I breastfeed and occasionally supplement with formula. DD gets constipated on the formula and I have to give her the special kind for "gassiness and fussiness". If you read the first ingredient on that type of formula it is corn syrup solids. Karo syrup is corn syrup and it works for constipation. Having said that, regular karo syrup in a bottle is not regulated for safety the way the formula is. It does work, though.

Lisa Frank · August 2011

Karo specifically says on their website NOT to use it for constipation. That's an old line of thinking, and there is a remote potential for botulism spores to be present in the syrup. It's also been found not to have any real effect on getting LO to actually go.

My MIL gave it to DD while I was gone and I was furious.

SouthFloridaMommy · August 2011

Worked for us - I highly recommend it. Don't use it more than once without knowing your LO's response though. I used it 2 times and she was pooping constantly for a few days. Once is plenty for us.

Lisa Frank · August 2011

Have you tried getting him to go with a rectal thermometer? Sometimes that stimulation is all they need.

And remember, a breastfed baby can go up to a week with no poop.

LoCarb · August 2011

My pedi rec dark karo syrup. I had to use it a few times and it worked. I found juice worked a lot faster; pear or apple (also rec'd by my pedi). Most don't suggest introducing juice until 6 mo., however, 1 oz will not hurt.

HeatherPB1020 · August 2011

We used and still use prune juice and it works GREAT for my LO constipation.

LadyXaverian · August 2011

We used karo once based on advice from the nurse at my pedi's office, and it worked. However, then I read some of the negative reviews of it. I brought it up with my pedi, and he recommended using diluted fruit juice instead. We use Gerber white grape or apple when she needs it.

MidwestGidget · August 2011

HeatherPB1020:
We used and still use prune juice and it works GREAT for my LO constipation.

This. Mix equal parts prune juice with water.

lilbit923 · August 2011

I've used karo syrup for all three of mine when they were in pain and could not poop. It is a last resort for me and it's worked for us.

Your baby hasn't pooped in three days? Yeah, I'd say he's in pain.

darmca · August 2011

lilbit923:
I've used karo syrup for all three of mine when they were in pain and could not poop. It is a last resort for me and it's worked for us.

Your baby hasn't pooped in three days? Yeah, I'd say he's in pain.

My baby regularly goes 5-6 days in between poops and is never in visible pain. EBF babies can go up to 14 days between without any pain or constipation.

molisar · August 2011

darmca:
lilbit923:
I've used karo syrup for all three of mine when they were in pain and could not poop. It is a last resort for me and it's worked for us.

Your baby hasn't pooped in three days? Yeah, I'd say he's in pain.
My baby regularly goes 5-6 days in between poops and is never in visible pain. EBF babies can go up to 14 days between without any pain or constipation.

Agreed. My lo also goes a couple of days here and there. This time it's different though because he is uncomfortable when trying to push his poop.

etude de la vie · August 2011

it works but my ped also said you can sprinkle a very small amount of benifiber powder in a bottle.

We constantly battle constipation with DS. I do Karyo, benifiber, diluted prune, or mix prune puree in other baby food (not all at once obviously but these are different techniques you can use).

When he was ebf he went 5 days! The ped says up to 7 days is normal for ebf baby.

natvo1983 · August 2011

I tried Karo syrup (light) and it did not do one damn thing to help my baby with his bowel movements. I then used the Apple Prune juice mixed with nursery water and that helped tremendously! I still give my baby the juice daily even though his bowel movements are fine, because my doctor said a little extra fluids during this summer will do no harm. I mix 2 oz of juice with 2 oz of nursery water and it helps a lot. Hope this helps your baby.

RumbleLina · August 2011

When DS was super, super constipated when he was a newborn we would give him dark karo syrup and it helped a ton. It was a very tiny amount and we put it in his bottlle

If your LO is showing signs of pain(crying) from pooping then he is constipated and he is in pain. Try to help him by pumping his legs when you see him trying to poop and bringing his knees up to his chest.

sohappy14 · August 2011

I just called my dr about this yesterday and they said 2 oz of apple juice will do the trick! I have also given just water and that helps too....

kbennett07 · August 2011

I used both Karo and Prun juice and both worked for use but the karo syrup worked the quickest. I have no complaints and it didn't hurt or bother my LO, but i only put a little in a 2 oz bottle

bnicoledavis · August 2011

HeatherPB1020:
We used and still use prune juice and it works GREAT for my LO constipation.

We use a little gerber apple/prune juice added to a few ounces of breastmilk. My brother gives Karo syrup in my nieces bottles.

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