Flax Seed Meal?

Looks like I'm just repeating what everyone else has said, but...

I add ground flax seed to my 9 1/2 month old's pancakes, since she is not big on many fruits and veggies (how many avocados can a kid eat in a week?!?)

I also do about a teaspoon of prune juice in her bottle if things aren't moving along.

Happy diapers!

I haven't tried that. But I used perdialite and that worked great. Since it is sweet, my son drank it up., or I mixed it into his baby food.

I have never heard of using flax seed before. I do know that prunes, and apple juice work great, so does sticking a thermometer up their bum, and gently moving it in a small circle, just be careful that you don't stick it up there too far!!

Hi - my family are everyday flaxseed meal people - my three boys get it in their smoothies, on their cereal. I mix it with berries and yogurt or cottage cheese. It's so effective for your omegas, for the heart, brain and for GI tract issues. Our family is very "regular" already just because we eat Juice Plus capsules/chewables which contain the actual nutrients/phytochemicals from 17 whole food fruits, vegetables and grains. Your child is a little too young for that, but when he's older and can eat gummies, I would suggest you get him eating Juice Plus. http://www.juiceplus.com/+cc42230. Good luck!

My pediatician used to tell us to use 1 teaspoon of dark Karo Syrup for constipation. It works really well. You put 1 teaspoon in about 6-8 oz. of formula. You use it (1 teaspoon) about every 2-3 days. Hope this helps.

I haven't tried flax seed, but my son is also 6 months old and initially struggled with constipation, and an ounce or 2 of prune juice mixed into his cereal or in a bottle with some water has always worked for him instantly.

Hi C.- I use flaxseed in alot of my food I cook for the whole family - I am sure since its natural it will help your baby - I used to give my babies jars of the organic prune baby food to help them when needed - I also got the net food thing(not sure of the name) and put fresh fruit in it for them every meal and that helped keep them regular and they just "gummed" it and sucked the fruit and loved it ! Good luck and enjoy your baby!!

Are you giving rice cereal? Switch to the baby oatmeal, that helped us. My son would go about 5 days before "going." Or the baby prunes work. I use flax seed a lot in baking instead of oil.

Fltx seed is great, for my 13 year old dog it gave her 3 months more to live, i use flax seed, no more heart burn, no more rstless leg syndrom, no more mine grains, also flax seed used in some types of muffins has been know t5o cure breast cancer, i say give it a try. J.

a good Probiotic for infants would probably be more gentle and effective for his/her? little system and promote good digestion/movement. good luck!
M.
Reno NV

Hi-
I'd use organic flax seed oil & put some into the oatmeal. The oil will help to loosen his bowels. Also you can put some powdered acidophilus into it too. Good luck!

I used to shake up 1/2 prune juice and 1/2 milk and flax seed oil in a bottle... I know it sounds grose but my daughter liked it. Also Little Tummy's makes a baby laxative that really works. Just stay away from the mirlax ... it makes an awful mess to clean up!

I've used flax seed meal for the same reason and found out how great it really is for you! Loaded with omega 3 and fiber! At any rate, it really does work! Just be sure not to put too much in because it does have a really distinct flavor (very nutty) that you can detect if there's too much put into a dish (it doesn't go well with a lot of things). But I've added it to lots of things for my family and feel good knowing we're getting additional nutrients in our food.

Be patient. It'll work!
M.

C.,

I haven't heard of using flaxseed meal, but I have mixed a little pear juice with cereal to get things going again. Usually pear juice will do the trick. Hope his constipation ends soon.

I have a 6.5 month old who is going through the same thing. Less than a week ago I started giving him a sprinkling of ground organic flaxseeds (from Henry's) in a bit of oatmeal (2x daily) along with pureed pears and some watered down organic prune juice. I also tried watermellon juice - as someone suggested on this site. He is slowly improving so I am happy so far (it took a few days). I think I will try the flaxseed oil as well as pear juice too.

Hi C.,

Flax seed is a great source of fiber. Make sure the one you are using is organic. I am not sure where you live but if you can find a Trader Joes or Mothers Market that have a good one. You don't need extra chemicals adding problems. Also, fruit juice is good. I recommend 100% and mix half the amount with water. Also, make sure your baby is drinking his water on a regular basis to help flush his system. Half the amount of his bottle after he eats is a good way to measure.

Hope this helps

L. C
Nutritionist

hi,
when my daughter was 6 months we had the same problem. To fix it quick we gave her 1 ounce water 1 ounce prune juice. I think we may have had to do that twice in one day to get her going. From that point on I give her 1 ounce water and two ounce organic apple juice twice a day to keep her regular. One morning and then again early evening. The doctor said she needs anywhere from 4-6 ounces of juice to keep her from getting constipated. I will also use prune juice to mix her cereal or apple juice. Once you start giving her food you might have this probelm again until you figure out what the right dose is for her. Good luck, and I only use flaxseed oil, never heard of a meal.

No one has mentioned pears or pear juice. Both of those things move my 8 month-old's system along.

We have become very aware of alternating the things that plug our son up (banana and rice cereal are the worst) with things like prune and pear. Also, we always stir juice into his cereals which counterbalances the constipation.

I used flax seed oil when my baby was little and it definitely helped. Child Life makes one called Essential Fatty Acids and you can get it at the health food store. The meal or powder may be okay but I would check with your doctor. I remember keeping my fingers crossed for that dirty diaper. Good luck!

Dear New Mom,
I know you are exhausted. Try to remember that you are doing a good job. You are attentive, educated and caring. It will work out, regardless of minor setbacks.

The flax seed is one of the latest finds of modern medicine. Be sure to move the baby. Move the hands, talk to the baby. Pretend he is walking as you speak to him lovingly. The exercise will help with the plan you have for his diet. Some folks have to have a bit of movement to have a movement.

I do not know how this program works. I am retired and could relieve you for a few hours for a nap. My grandchildren are grown and I miss having a baby around. Anyway for what it is worth--interact with your baby. Maybe dance with him/her and move the hands and feet of the child gently to the music and make it fun, for you and the baby.
love,
M.

I suggest calling your pediatrician about this. I understand flax seed meal is helpful for constipation, but you could end up with a baby with severe cramping if you give him too much. 1 teaspoon is what most adults would take, so for a baby just 6 month old it is probably too much. Again, get the advice from the doctor!

Try prunes juice/baby food too. I don't have any experience with flax seed though. If all else fails ask the doctor if he could try miralax. My little girl when she was a baby had chronic constipation, and was put on Miralax. It is very gentle, and quickly solves the problem. They also make Fiber cookies...in the healthy fiber section of the market. Good luck!

A.

I don't have experience giving it to babies, but a TBSP in the morning and a TBSP at night of ground flax seed should be required eating of all teenagers and adults!

I have never used that, but my son had severe constipation on and off from his formula for months, my peditrician told me to give him 2-3oz of water in the morning and evening. Also you can take the baby's temperature (rectal) and the thermometer acts as a supository, my son pooped so good after I took his temp. you could really see his relief from being blocked up. I still do it to this day- he is now 14 1/2 months, if I can't get him to poo on his own now that he eats everything, then I do that as a last resort, but it still works. I know it doesn't sound pleasant or easy to do, but when you think of what the baby needs, you just do it. I hated seeing my son in such pain from constipation-it hurts! Good luck!

Hi C.,
I have used flax seed with my son. He was older though- maybe 1 year or so. I also used flax seed oil in some cooking, like scrambled eggs. We used lots of pureed prunes warmed slightly and pureed carrots. When he was over 2 we used Miralax powder. Constipation has always been our battle. My son is a little over 3 now and we recently switched him to soymilk and his bowels are better. Maybe I should have done it sooner. Good luck!

The best remedy for baby's constipation: 1-2 drops of sesame oil, mix into a teaspoon of corn syrop, give on empty stomach every morning.

L.

The amount you used may not get you any results. We use ground flax seed in everything around here but if I had a stopped up child, I'd use flax oil. Without knowing the rest of his diet, I can't make any recommendations. Has he just been introduced to new foods? Make sure he is drinking plenty of water/breastmilk or formula - you don't want to introduce high fiber foods without it!

Good luck,
M.

That is a GREAT idea.

I just had a couple of questions about your flax seed. Do you store it in the refrigerator? Did you grind it yourself? A prune mixture also works very well.

I have another tasty way to help with your problem if you need it. Nourishing the lower intestine is very useful and quite essential. Did you know that 70% of our immune system relates directly to the health of the colon?!

Flora! Flora! Flora!

It's fun being a mom, isn't it? Today I have another birthday --- and I already have quite an amazing birthday Gift in my six-year old!

My very best,

T.

Hi C.: Six months is very young. Have you run this by his pediatrician? Please be very careful about giving home remedies to infants. What might be fine for an older kid might be harmful for an infant. Also, there might be other issues besides just constipation. If you haven't already done so, please consult his dr.

All the best, Mary

Never heard of it, but it should work. I know oatmeal alone was good enough for mine when she was that age. I wouldn't use too much, though.

Hi C.,

I'm all too familiar with a child who is constipated. My daughter has to take medicine everday :(. Anyways, I am not familiar with "Flax Seed", but doctor recommended giving my daughter prune or apple juice, with formula, just about and oz. or two. That seemed to help for a little while. Something you may want to try...Good Luck!

It is a great source of fiber and Omega 3's. It should help him. How long has it been since his last BM? Is he on food or breastmilk?

Hi C.,
my son also had occasional constipation as a baby. I didn't use flaxseed meal but I used oat bran, which I grinded even thinner and mixed into his cereals, around 6 months of age and later on. About 1/2 tsp is what the doctor recommended. It seemed to help. Later on, I had to make sure he also drank some water.

Hi C.-

I have tried Flax Seed on my son although he was older (prob. around 3-ish @ the time) I also use it in my husbands oatmeal or if I make Banana Muffins, etc. It does help! With a 6 month old maybe some well cooked brocoli mashed up, or some applesauce? With my 1 yr old I make her cream of wheat (which you can prob. use for your baby too, maybe ask his Dr.) and add applesauce on top it and she GULPS it down! Also, are you sure your baby is actually constipated? I remember the first time I thought that the Dr told me that babies are not considered constipated until 5-7 days go by... But of course, you know your baby best!

Hope this helps!

K.

Go to http://www.HealthyAnswersOnline.com There you can see Dr. Vicky Arcadi talking about giving glyconutrients to children for proper function in the gut for babies and children. Then go to http://Glycoscience.org and watch State of the Science. Ambrotose Classic is the blend that you want and it is safe to give to one day olds. It has the same saccharides that are found in breast milk and it really helps the baby's body to function appropriately not only for immune system support but for all the functions in the body. It's all about the gut! All the nutrients that are received in the gut must be sent to the organs, brain, bone, blood, etc. and your baby need the right flora for the intestines to function appropriately. This product would greatly help. For more info you can email me at: ____@____.com.

when all else fails i use a suppository on my son..they're harmless and they make them for kids..and he goes like 5 minutes later..doc said it's fine..i rarely use them but every once in awhile i do.

Hi C.,

I haven't heard of flax seed meal for constipation, but it seems like it should help. That, or flax seed oil in your baby's oatmeal. When my little guy gets constipated I give him lots of applesauce. Seems to do the trick. And, a little prune juice always helps. You can mix it in cereal and oatmeal too!

On this webpage you'll find food for newborns and one of them is the Super Growing Baby Formula. It consists of several ingredients and one is flax seed oil. Depending on how constipated, up to 5 drops in your baby's cereal should be perfect. Where are you I teach Mommy & Baby Yoga in Murrieta. Here's the webpage for Postnatal Tips/Foods - go to the weekly schedule if you are interested in classes:
http://www.yogamurrieta.com/node/285
Love, A.

I've never used it for a baby but I've been mixing it into everything lately for my family (2 & 9 years old) The only thing you have to be careful of is if he's not getting adequate fluid intake as well, it will make his tummy hurt. I made the mistake once and was regretting it all night long. I would hate for a baby to feel what I did!