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December 2010 Moms
jillybean800
member
WWYD? re: constipation
jillybean800
member
So Alexander has been constipated since he was probably 8 months old. The problem used to resolve itself with a little juice, but since he is more and more on solid food, the problem has worsened. We give him about 4 ounces of juice a day, water with every meal, and he still has formula three times a day (probably 14 ounces total)
Every time I bring this up with the pedi (at the 9 month visit, the 12 month, the 13 month weight check we had) they brush it off and tell me to give him prunes. The problem is so way beyond prunes. I now have to help him get his poop out every time. It is so large and hard that it looks like he is giving birth. He screams and cries and his anus looks herniated and raw and has even bled while pooping.
So I am thinking of taking him to a pediatric gastroenterologist. Would you: a. just take him now to see what she could do with him, then just tell his pedi about it in 3 weeks at his 15 month appointment? Or would you wait and let the pedi know this plan to see if they take it more seriously?
I think insurance would cover either way.
Also, I'm starting to think this is connected to his slow weight gain.
This discussion has been closed.
Re: WWYD? re: constipation
It sounds like he needs more liquid in his diet. Maybe switch to prune juice. And is formula constipating? I thought it was a little bit. Can you swap formula out for milk?
FWIW, some of our friends had to give their DS prune juice until he was 4. It worked & he didn't mind it. He had pooping issues too.
The juice we give is prune juice. The formula may be constipating and I would like to change to whole milk, but he was refusing to drink the whole milk, even when mixed with formula. We were so focused on him gaining weight that we just went with whatever he would drink, you know? We felt we couldn't waste a pound trying to get him to change over. But maybe it's time now.
He eats/drinks so little. It's very frustrating
They were always more concerned with weight. I was always a little more worried about this!
Ok, that's interesting, since I know that G and A have similar weight gain problems. I just can't help but think it's connected. I would be grateful for a suppository as even a short term solution. It's so sad to hear him scream because he's pooping.
If it were me, I would ask the pedi for a rec to a pediatric gastro specialist. If nothing else, it will make you feel better to get a second opinion.
Good luck!
Number two
It's straight up dreadful when he's screaming. He's had me in tears with it. The suppository works like a charm and G doesn't seem too bothered by it. Walgreens has an infant/toddler version. Very gentle.
Have you wondered whether A has celiac? One of my friend's sons has celiac. Apparently he basically didn't grow for a year. They cut gluten out of his diet entirely and are super careful about contamination and he's actually a pretty big kid now (still skinny but tall and healthy looking).
He was tested for celiac when they did his nutrition and allergy testing. He's all clear, thank goodness!
Ah, good!
I agree with this - you will prob need a referral from them at least. That's terrible that they brushed it off!
Does A drink through a straw? Anthony will always drink more liquids, esp WCM through a regular straw than his sippy or straw cup b/c it's a novelty to him!
Yes, he does drink through a straw. Like his eating habits, his drinking habits are light. He will drink a bit, he's just not the type to guzzle. I sometimes give him a plain straw, but he likes to take it out of the cup and play with it, haha.
I'm not really going to list his food, because it's a struggle for us to help him gain. So I know that I feed him some things that will cause constipation (pasta, breads, cheese, etc) but those are the higher calorie things that help him gain weight. Ugh, I wish it was just easier. Food in, poop out.
I'd call the pedi again and demand more info/help. And if they continue to brush it off, I'd make the gastro appointment (if it is covered without an actual referral.)
ETA: we also sometimes have constipation issues, but not as badly. Our Alexander also does not drink much--probably less than yours. He BFs 2x a day and has one additional bottle of WCM (just 4-5 oz) but will not really have anything else, even though we try water at every single meal. So his skin is dry and his poop is sometimes hard. He is a picky eater and one of his favorite foods is banana, which is constipating, but since it's one of a few things he eats we will give it to him.
Anyway, DS still takes purees. Does Alexander? We realized that his liking purees has been a life-saver. We give him those a bunch and because they are liquidy, they help with the constipation. Also, other things like pears are good for constipation, not just prunes. But...you've probably tried all of that. I agree that Alexander's condition is pretty bad, so you should get it checked out to see if there is a solution.
i'd start the ball rolling now. if your pedi doesn't want to address the issue, find another doc who will. i wouldn't want to wait the 3 weeks and let him be in pain pooping that whole time when i could start making arrangements now (either getting a referral, or if you have a PPO or Open Access plan, researching a good GI specialist and making the appt yourself).
poor thing! that must be so miserable for him!
(and mommy too!)
poor guy!
definitely see a specialist..it cant hurt!
O has weight gain issues and is occasionally constipated as well...but for us, blueberries work like a charm. he loves them so its fairly easy to loosen things up. ive never tried prune juice or prunes with him...i cant really see him liking it either! hope you find some relief soon!
BFP #2 5/27/12. EDD 2/1/13. m/c and D&C 6/21/12.
We had major constipation problems with LO starting at 6 months, right around when solids were introduced. It was the same ordeal as you're describing - he would scream, grunt, cry, and labor like he was giving birth. I felt so sorry for him. A lot of times, all I could do was rub his back and hold him as he cried. We used a suppository a couple of times, but that's not really a long term solution and he hated it. At his worst, he was going 7+ days without a bowel movement.
Thankfully, our pediatrician was very sympathetic and almost immediatly referred us to a GI specialist. The GI had LO try a couple of different prescription meds, but what works the best and what we eventually settled on is over the counter. Miralax. You're supposed to dissolve it in liquid, but I've also mixed it with yogurt, baby food, or sprinkled on peaches. I generally give 1 - 2 tsp a day, and the GI said I could play with the dosing depending on his diet (If he eats a lot of prunes or has a virus, I give him a little less. If he's eating bananas and lots of carbs, I give him slightly more). We now reliably get one good, easy bowel movement a day. It's awesome. After months of watching him strain and cry to poop, I still get excited when I change his diaper and see a suprise bowel movement.
If your pedi is game, I say try Miralax. (The generic CVS or Target stuff works just as well).