Constipation Due to Formula

I second Enfamil Neutramagin. My daughter was on it and we never had any issues with constipation. I agree with the other moms about the suppositories. Get to the root of the problem 1st.

I agree with the other posts of finding out what the problem is instead of using the suppositories. Probiotics are also important, especially if you have been taking antibiotics. Infants are not 'regular' of going every day at this age but do pay attention to your mommy instinct if you think he is in pain or it has been more than a few days.

Neocate is a great formula to be using for babies with any type of allergies. My son had a terrible problem with bowel movements because he had spincter stenosis (a tight anus). Try the apple juice and then go for the next step.

Since your son is already having problems with things, YOU especially need to do the research on vaccinations for YOUR child. The AAP recommended schedule of shots for children is too many, too soon. Here are sites and books that I always recommend for people to start their research:

www.909shot.com
www.tacanow.org

Healing the New Childhood Epidemics: Autism, ADHD, Asthma, and Allergies: The Groundbreaking Program for the 4-A Disorders, by Dr. Kenneth Bock
The Vaccine Book, by Dr. Robert Sears
What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Childhood Vaccinations, by Dr. Stephanie Cave
Evidence of Harm, by David Kirby

Hi Lynette -
i agree with some of the posts that the formula may be too conentrated, therefore addiing a little more water than directed may help.
My son became a bit constipated when he was six months old ater i started feeding him rice cereal....i bought Lakewood Organic prune juice at WHole Foods - it does not come from concentrate and there is no sugar or fructose syrup added. It helped quite a bit until my son's digestive system adapted and teh constipation went away. I still use the organic prune juice on occasion if he gets contipated as a result of a new food.

Our doctor had recommended watering down the formula just a bit (by adding like an ounce or two of water). This can make it a bit easier to digest apparently. Good luck :)

I would do what Sophie said.

Now, with a newborn or a baby/child... you do NOT want to use suppositories. This will not 'cure' the constipation, just unplug it. But, from what our Pediatrician has said, and from what a Pediatric Gastroenterologist told us once (when my daughter was constipated), suppositories are not recommended....they/you can become too reliant on it, it can cause a dependence on it, or it can tear the anal tissues. ALSO, the Doctor told us that apple juice is fine.. .but the unfiltered one... the one that looks 'cloudy.'

You can also try a LITTLE prune juice in his Formula. Just a tablespoon/teaspoon or something. BUT not giving it to him ALL day with every feeding... or you might have a full on "blow-out" of soft/loose poop exploding out of his diaper. He is just a newborn....so a little goes a long way.

The thing is, a newborns digestive system is still immature and not developed yet... so the constipation "may" be recurring.

Or perhaps, try asking your Pediatrician for another brand of Formula, which your son can take.

All the best,
Susan

L.,

Avoid suppositories, my son's Pedi told me that they can cause harm to the colon in any age and that natural remedies are recommended before use. He explained that the colon gets used to the aid and then cannot function on its own, just like with OTC meds for constipation.

With my son I have always relied on apple or prune juice. As for the formula, Neocate can be concentrated like others said you might want to water it down just a bit. If you're concerned I found that my local pharamacist always has great insight into what's what.

My son has always had issues with lactose intolerance, so it took us forever to find a formula that worked. There are other options, so ask your Pedi if there is something else you can use.

Good Luck!

Hi L.:
You know what....I've never thought it a good idea,for anyone.. young or old,to use a band aid approach,for any ailment.That's what your babies doctor is requesting you do. If I were you,I'd get a second opinion.My Grandson,became extremely constipated,and was in so much pain as a result,that we had to rush him in.The doctor explained to us, that some formulas,contained to much Iron.Babies have a difficult time digesting it. Especially tiny ones. He took him off of the formula, with Iron and he was fine.To assist with the constipation,you could put a cap of karo syrup in his formula.Its not abrasive,and will help ease his movements.I wish you and your darlin son the best. J. M.

I am also a mother of 5 week old (baby girl). Immediately after birth she began having issues with blood in her stool and obvious stomach pain as well as some reflux. The Dr. switched her from similac advanced to Isomil advanced, which only made her problems so much worse. She was having nearly 20 very runny bm diapers per day and many of them had visible blood. at two weeks old the dr. switched her to Nutramigen, which seemed to help with the amount of BM diapers however her majority of her diapers sill had blood in them after two more weeks. A couple days before she turned 5 wks old (3 days ago, 7-22-11) her Gi dr. switched her to neocate infant. i thought she was improving, but now we seem to be having all of the same issues as you are with your son. She has not had a BM since the day she started on Neocate and is extremely uncomfortable and in obvious pain. when taking her rectal temp i stimulated a very small bm which was something similar to a newborn bm in consistancy, only very dark green. You are not alone! Because it is a Friday and the Peditrician office is closed , I may be Calling the on call Ped. tomorrow to try to find some solution or options to try. Thanks for your post, I am happy to find out we arent the only ones with this problem. Im hopeful that you will find a solution to your childs problems soon, good luck!.

Also try the homeopathic remedy Nat Mur in a 30c. You can get it even at CVS or most health food stores such as Henry's or Whole Foods. It works great for this!

ok with the suppositories you do know that you only use 1/4 of a whole one because the pediatric one are too strong for a baby. my friends dr said to use 1 oz of prune juice in her babies bottle for constipation. i myself used the suppositories and litle tummies laxative.

Formula does not have the same electrolite balance that breast does. Formula constipation is sometimes due to mild dehydration, especially if you are using harder water in the mix, or the weather gets really warm. Try adding just a little more water to the mix. If you use distilled water, then you are getting the planned balance that the formula makers designed.

Hi Lynette,

Enfamil NUTRAMIGEN works for constipation AND colic. My newborn received it from the nurses in the neonatal unit at Saint John Medical Center starting one day after birth since I was unable to breastfeed. In fact, he's 10 months old and still drinks it from time to time to help if he gets constipated and within two days he is cured. Just makes sure to check with your pediatrician first.