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My son is constipated. Help? (longish)

SamanthaLynn1318SamanthaLynn1318
edited August 2013 in July 2013 Moms
So recently I switched from breastfeeding to formula because unfortunately I am one of those moms who just can't produce enough for their babies. I'm trying really really hard to go on with my days happy and not beat myself up about it (because I wanted to stay dedicated to bf'ing so badly) but these past couple of days have been really hard. My son is really constipated. The past I don't know 1 or 2 poops he's had they were really hard and dark green. And today he's been pushing and straining since early this morning. This never really happens to him at night. He usually will eat 3-4 oz and then go to sleep. It's just ever really during the day. And I'm sitting here feeling terrible because when I was BF his belly seemed fine, his poops were yellowish and seedy like they were supposed to be. I'm really depressed about having to give him formula. I feel like right now I'm failing his little system and I'm failing him as a mom. It's breaking my heart.

Anyway this isn't about me. I'm worried about my son. He's six weeks old. When I put my ear up to his belly I hear bubbling and gurgling. I've tried giving him gas drops but those work only sometimes. I called his Pedi and they told me to try Prune, Apple, or Pear juice. None of which I have.
I'm going to try and give him some breastmilk that I had pumped and put in the fridge to see if that helps move things along.

Side note: I am pumping, but the more I pump the less comes out. When I first started just strictly pumping I was doing it every 2 hours but in a 24 hour period I was only getting about 3-4 oz. Still being on that same routine. I'm getting an ounce now... Maybe two. I hate myself for it but I have tried everything from Mother's Milk Tea to taking an obnoxious amount of Fenugreek. Nothing is helping. What can I do to help my son poop better?

Sorry this was a little longer than I had planned it to be.
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Re: My son is constipated. Help? (longish)

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  • SamanthaLynn1318SamanthaLynn1318
    Thank you
    =)
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  • jemasa33jemasa33 member
    I would try a different brand of formula. That's not normal. Gerber gentle and protect are good plus Enfamil gentlease. If they don't work I would try soy.

    My son had issues with formula and it took some time to find the right one. You do need to give them a few days before you know if its working.
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  • jemasa33jemasa33 member
    Sorry the part that's not normal is the rock hard poops.
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  • PrimRoseMamaPrimRoseMama member

    @SamanthaLynn1318 :
    First, hey hey lady! Long time no see! I've been thinking about you!

    Second, I've been where you are with regards to BF and going to formula. Truly, you cannot beat yourself up. Its nothing to do with you as a human being that your supply couldn't keep up. It happens and its beyond your control. Onward and upward!

    Third, are you sure that the baby is actually constipated? Usually it will be pea sized "rabbit pellets". You can try giving him a couple of drops (don't go crazy!) of pure, unsweetened prune juice from a dropper. You can find some good droppers at BRU or even the pet store. Again, don't go crazy with it. Its potent. 

    Babies' systems all go through this to a certain degree. Their guts are learning to work so there are a couple weeks of back up and issues. Again, try not to beat yourself up!

    Gas drops only work if the air bubbles are in his tummy. If they make it to the intestines the only exit is out of his anus in the form of toots. Bicycle his legs, rub his tummy gently under his belly button in a counter clockwise motion. He will not like it, be warned. However, it can help him work it out. Also, tummy time. Give him a minute at a time on his tummy. It too can help work out the gasses. Its tough on them and frustrating but you aren't failing. 

    Re: the pumping issues. Can you pump (I know its difficult) while baby is close to you? Like on your chest? The skin to skin triggers hormone receptors and has the possibility of helping with supply. Mother's Milk (I'm doing that too) has worked well for me, and I've not moved on to fenugreek. The supply issue is separate from the poop issue though...

    Can you get someone to run by the store for you super quick to get the prune juice? Do you have a neighbor that might have some in their fridge? 

    I hope it works out! 


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  • rooter84rooter84 member
    I use gentalease on my lo and his poos are green. If you google, you will find MANY peoples little ones have these hunter green poos. It can be because of the iron in the formula.
    My little guy gets a little constipated and I do a little rectal stimulation with a thermometer and some vasiline. It helps. He will poo right away. After the harder stuff comes out he has a few looser ones through out the day.
    I am sorry you are having a hard time with having to ff. I also was having a hard time producing enough for my lo. As someone said earlier, as long as baby is being fed, loved, changed, all together cared for, you are doing your job mama!
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  • PrimRoseMamaPrimRoseMama member
    rooter84 said:
    I use gentalease on my lo and his poos are green. If you google, you will find MANY peoples little ones have these hunter green poos. It can be because of the iron in the formula. My little guy gets a little constipated and I do a little rectal stimulation with a thermometer and some vasiline. It helps. He will poo right away. After the harder stuff comes out he has a few looser ones through out the day. I am sorry you are having a hard time with having to ff. I also was having a hard time producing enough for my lo. As someone said earlier, as long as baby is being fed, loved, changed, all together cared for, you are doing your job mama!
    Just watch out doing the stimulation with the thermometer. If you do it too often then baby can become dependent on the stimulation to go. 


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  • MrsMcC.10409MrsMcC.10409 member

    I'm sorry BFing didn't work out! big hugs!

    my DS is constipated too. Based on pedi recommendation, we give him 1 teaspoon of dark karo syrup a day in his bottle. Works like a charm.

    Best of luck!

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  • rooter84rooter84 member
    edited August 2013
    Thanks prim. I only do it when he has been trying to go for about an hour and I can tell he is really uncomfortable. I will also go get some pear juice!

    edit: I meant to also put I have only done this 3 times.
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  • KTZ17KTZ17 member
    I BF my DD and supplement with formula because she was so early and I don't produce enough milk for her. First, her poos are dark green, and since others have said that too it's within the normal range. Second, there are weeks when she only has only had two bowel movements and our pediatrician said even once a week is fine. Now the other issue - supply. I am on fenugreek, blessed thistle, goat's rue, malunggay, Shatavari, and domperidone. It's a lot but it has increased my supply. I couldn't drink enough mother's milk tea to even help me. You can get the fenugreek, blessed thistle, and goat's rue from whole foods. The others have to be ordered online.

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