Constipation question

huzzahuzza · April 2014

J has always seemed to have issues with his poop. He strains, he squeezes, he's very inconsistent and irregular and everything I've read says it's all related to diet. I totally get that and it makes complete sense except when I try to fix it. I've read to give him prunes, carrots, peas, broccoli, pears and peaches. I've tried all these and he still strains when he poops and this weekend's poop was the dreaded "rabbit pellet" poop. We also don't limit his water intake and he's getti g his recommended floz in formula per day. Any one have any other solutions for me to try?!?!

CNJ4EVA · April 2014

Bananas are binding, does LO eat a lot of them? If so, maybe cut them out?

MJMum524 · April 2014

My LO had this and we have recently tried probiotic drops. They have worked wonders! Softer stools with less straining was the result.

Shoegal36 · April 2014

We were told similar, except the opposite about carrots. Avoid rice cereal, bananas, apples and carrots. Give more prunes, peaches and pears. She seemed better after a few weeks so now I do give her those things, just not too much at once. Hope he's back to normal soon!

huzzahuzza · April 2014

CNJ4EVA said:
Bananas are binding, does LO eat a lot of them? If so, maybe cut them out?

No not a lot of bananas...

3timemom said:
Is it really affecting him? Like making him a horrible cranky mess when he has to Go and can't? I has issues with basically all 3 of my kids. I tried it all and morning worked. Either it was hard to go or had diarrhea. I have decided the 3rd time around to not worry too much about it. He goes when he goes, it is usually a huge mess but he isn't crabby or in obvious pain when he is trying to go. My girls have regulated themselves once potty trained, no more issues they just go when they need to.

If it was me I wouldn't worry to much unless he is really effected by it me is obviously in pain or having major discomfort by not being able to go.

It doesn't seem to bother him until the moment he has to poo and the he stresses and syrains and cries out as it comes out. And his poor butt hole gets sooo red!!!

Kashy · April 2014

Maybe try probiotics like a PP said. I BF and take probiotics daily and LO has not had any issues and is always regular when I take them. If I stop and skip a few days I notice he will not poo for a few days as well.

tee18 · April 2014

Kashy said:

Maybe try probiotics like a PP said. I BF and take probiotics daily and LO has not had any issues and is always regular when I take them. If I stop and skip a few days I notice he will not poo for a few days as well.

I have to chime in too to say give the probiotics a try. We use gerber "colic drops" (they used to be biogaia brand infant probiotic drops - gerber bought this part of their business I believe. My Gerber drops still have the Biogaia symbol on them). They are expensive but easy to give - 5 drops on a spoon. We only give them if he's having an issue now, but we used to give them daily (medical issue where he must "go" every day). I find that it's the most straight forward to give and we notice a difference.

Also - Does he eat a lot of grain? If so, I would cut back and stick to less disruptive grains (like oats). Rice is the big one to avoid, but I might cut back most grains for a little bit, and stick to whole grains.

Like you said, "P" fruits, which is sounds like you're trying - pears, plums (prunes), peaches, etc. Is he eating fresh? I'm not sure how much that makes a difference, but I always notice a difference when he eats a fresh pear vs puree.

Anecdote - my mom swears by apple juice from back in the day.

We've used a (doctor prescribed) stool softener/laxative before too, so if it doesn't resolve, I suppose speaking with your doc would be the next step.

I hope he feels better soon!

ETA - while apple juice may help, apples will not! So avoid those too.

& here's a link I refer to often about this: https://wholesomebabyfood.momtastic.com/constip.htm#.U12-jvldXoE

SaguaroBlossmom · April 2014

When S gets constipated I always give her slightly watered down Apple juice and it does the trick every time.

Lolalipsy · April 2014

We mixed prune juice and the fruit in with a yogurt and that helped a lot.

krwact · April 2014

Poor M has chronic constipation and it's been a real issue (it was the reason he didn't STTN until last month). We've tried the gentler approaches and still use probiotics and monitor diet very closely but we finally had to pull out the big guns and are doing prune juice and Miralax twice a day. His pediatric GI doc also has us (I'm still nursing) gluten-free, dairy-free, soy-free and M is also egg-free. I don't think he's actually allergic to any of those but we're trying to "eliminate variables". It sucks. But it sucks less than seeing him in pain.
Yes, to the above - peaches, pears, prunes (if it starts with "p", it helps them poop). As shoegal36 said, carrots can be binding. Is he getting cow's milk?

huzzahuzza · April 2014

krwact said:

Poor M has chronic constipation and it's been a real issue (it was the reason he didn't STTN until last month). We've tried the gentler approaches and still use probiotics and monitor diet very closely but we finally had to pull out the big guns and are doing prune juice and Miralax twice a day. His pediatric GI doc also has us (I'm still nursing) gluten-free, dairy-free, soy-free and M is also egg-free. I don't think he's actually allergic to any of those but we're trying to "eliminate variables". It sucks. But it sucks less than seeing him in pain.
Yes, to the above - peaches, pears, prunes (if it starts with "p", it helps them poop). As shoegal36 said, carrots can be binding. Is he getting cow's milk?

No cow's milk yet. @krwact how did you get to a GI doc? I'm almost to the point of going above my pedi's head because they keep writing me off. Since starting solids, this boy of mine hasn't had a poop that was on the soft side... I mean every time I seriously question myself as to what "playdoh" feels like since that is the "acceptable" consistency.

MrsM1111 · April 2014

Try a teaspoon or two of chia seeds in a purée. They help A a lot.

snowgirl427 · April 2014

We feed J yogurt every morning for breakfast and give him apple juice. It seems to help.

krwact · April 2014

huzzahuzza said:

krwact said:

Poor M has chronic constipation and it's been a real issue (it was the reason he didn't STTN until last month). We've tried the gentler approaches and still use probiotics and monitor diet very closely but we finally had to pull out the big guns and are doing prune juice and Miralax twice a day. His pediatric GI doc also has us (I'm still nursing) gluten-free, dairy-free, soy-free and M is also egg-free. I don't think he's actually allergic to any of those but we're trying to "eliminate variables". It sucks. But it sucks less than seeing him in pain.
Yes, to the above - peaches, pears, prunes (if it starts with "p", it helps them poop). As shoegal36 said, carrots can be binding. Is he getting cow's milk?

No cow's milk yet. @krwact how did you get to a GI doc? I'm almost to the point of going above my pedi's head because they keep writing me off. Since starting solids, this boy of mine hasn't had a poop that was on the soft side... I mean every time I seriously question myself as to what "playdoh" feels like since that is the "acceptable" consistency.

My pedi has really been amazing and has always taken my concerns seriously so she gave us a referral as soon as I asked for one in February. She and I had been working on his digestion since the beginning so it didn't come as a surprise or anything. Does your insurance require referrals? If so, I'd call them and ask for the names of in-network pediatric GI specialists near you and then call your pedi's office to request a referral to the specific doctor that you choose. Depending on the practice, your pedi may not even be consulted about issuing the referral which could cut out the middle man. If my pediatrician refused to issue a referral like this, I truly would seek out a new pedi (something more easily said than done, depending on where you live, I know).

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