April 2016 Moms

Constipation HELP!!!

Hey ladies, I'm looking for any and all advice. I'm a FTM and my 5.5 week old has had horrible constipation over the last week. She can't seem to get her poo's out, she struggles and grunts which, I know, is normal but she also cries out in pain. I've had to "help" her go with a thermometer and even then she struggled and cried to get it out and when she did go it was much thicker than usual but not hard. The pediatrician told us to try 1oz of appl juice twice a day. That worked the first day but has not worked since. His next solution is for us to try this laxative called Lactulose. I'm really nervous to give her a laxative to be honest. We've tried pear juice as well, that hasn't worked either. She started a probiotic yesterday but still no poo. Our next two solutions are the laxative and changing her formula to Similac Alimentum (which is really expensive), so needless to say we are trying everything here to avoid those. Any suggestions!?!?
 
Pregnancy Ticker

Re: Constipation HELP!!!

  • I'm sorry your baby is going through that, that's terrible. I'm surprised your doc recommended apple and pear, usually prune juice is recommended. 

    You can ask your pediatrician for formula samples of various formulas for gas and discomfort, from the various brands, to try before you go out and buy. Then just buy the generic of whatever works for you if that does end up being your only solution. 
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  • With a thermometer? Somehow that sounds like a bad idea to me.
  • With a thermometer? Somehow that sounds like a bad idea to me.
    It was recommended by my pediatrician and his direction was followed to a T.
    Pregnancy Ticker
  • myla14myla14 member
    My first son was on lactulose for several months. The good/bad news is that it didn't seem to hurt him but also didn't help all that much. He became much more regular around age 1 with cow milk and more solids. I know that's a long way off!
  • My Sil said they used a formula that made baby more regular but I don't know the brand or type.

    DD1 dealt with constipation when we switched her from exclusive be to solids.  The Dr suggested at that time to do tummy massages, "bicycles" with her legs, and a warm bath for as long as she would sit in the tub.  We also tried the thermometer and a water enema when all else failed.  I don't suggest the water enema in infants, we didn't start until she was a year.  Usually the bath worked.  Be prepared if you do the thermometer to have a reaction in a couple of minutes if not right away.
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  • Thanks ladies! We gave her the first dose of lactulose a few hours ago, followed by a tummy massage, bicycles legs and a warm bath. (We've tried all of that before except for the lactulose) So far no outcome. We've done the thermometer before and she goes instantly but I don't want to keep doing that and get her used to it.
    Pregnancy Ticker
  • This may be a "duh" question but - How do you know she's constipated? Sometimes babies go several days without a bowel movement and are completely cool. That's not to say she wasn't constipated in the past, but if she's not crying constantly and giving you wet diapers, why not try waiting it out?
  • emmasapemmasap member
    My son was having infrequent very hard stool. He cries when trying to have bowel movement. My Dr recommended Dark Karo Syrup in 3 or 4 bottles a day. We started yesterday and it's already working! You may give that a try.  
  • My daughter was constipated and was only able to go when we used the windi. She was crying trying to pass as as well. After several days of lots of discomfort, crying episodes that lasted a couple of hours we decided to change her formula to Nutramajen (similar to the Similac that your dr recommended) We're currently on day 3 of the new formula and she now has several BM's a day. She's a lot more comfortable, the only downside so far is that it's a lot thinner than the previous formula that she was on so she's spitting up more.

    P.S. your insurance may cover the similac or nutramajen esp because it's for a medical reason. I would call them and find out! I'm giving DD a week on the formula before making the decision to keep her on it and ask my ped for a prescription. If you do use the nutramajen, start with the powder. It has probiotics that help
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