For almost 2 weeks now, my son, who is 8 weeks old, has been having some constipation issues. His ped switched his formula from Enfamil Lipil (which was not agreeing with him) to Similac Sensitive Lactose-free (he may have an lactose intolerance). While I think he seems better on the Sensitive than Lipil, he has not been able to have a bowl movement without some help. We first tried pear juice, then warm water, now we are giving him 1 oz. of prune juice diluted with 1 oz. warm water twice a day plus we doing the old Q-tip trick to stimulate his bowels. Neither has been working. The only BMs he had over the weekend was actually some diarrhea. He did not have a BM at all yesterday. I can tell how uncomfortable this is making him. Everytime he passes gas, he cries. He strains, flexing and extending his legs and tries to push but nothing comes. The ped is now talking about putting him on Nutramigin. She has said nothing about stool softeners or suppositories. She also hasn't mentioned that this could be a medical condition, such as a blockage. I asked whether switching to soy would help, since I actually now a few people who tried soy formula when their kids were having trouble going, but she says its binding. I don't know how I feel about putting him on Nutramigin. Has anyone been in a similar situation? Does anyone have any other suggestions to help my son? I don't want to resort to softeners or suppositories if I don't have to, but I am thinking of mentioning it to the ped. Any advice, suggestions or any sort of help would be greatly appreciated! It breaks my heart to see my poor little boy so much in pain.
Hello Mommies -- First of all I want to thank everyone who responded to my request. All of your suggestions were helpful and thank you for the support that I needed. Well, it turns out that it may not be constipation with my son, because when I took him to the doctor on Tues., she performed a rectal stimulation and he went right after and the BM was soft. He also went twice that evening, all being soft. The only thing is that he hasn't gone since and it is now Thurs. BUT, when I took him to the doctor, she noticed that he now has Thrush. His tongue, and the insides of his mouth and cheeks are covered with white patches. She prescribed Nystatin and said it could take up to 2 weeks to clear up. My poor son is still miserable, crying most of the day and not sleeping well at night. Last night was horrible. I wonder if the Thrush is bothering him. The doctor said it could be itchy and painful. While at the doctors, she also switched his formula again to Alimentum (he was previously on Similac Sensitive for the week). I wonder if he got the thrush from the formula, since it is lactose-free. The doctor thinks he may have a sensitivity to lactose since the regular Enfamil and Similac was not agreeing with him. But I think the lactose-free formula may have brought on the thrush. Has anyone heard of this before? Do you think it's OK to give him some tylenol to help alleviate any discomfort he may be having? I am so desperate to get him feeling better. He is miserable and crying most of the time and my husband and I are so sleep deprived, we are at the verge of tears ourselves!
This might sound too simple and you probably already tried it.... but it worked for my little boy: he has a Gymini play mat (you know, with all the toys hanging from it) and when I would put him in he would kick his legs like crazy (I think it was at that age, maybe a week or two later?). The exercise makes a world of difference. Maybe a really stimulating toy like that would at least help a little bit? Good luck.
I know I am a few days late and I did read in another posting that the dr switched the baby's formula. I breastfed, but my sister has a 7 month old girl and a 4 year old boy. Both kids had issues with regular formula and switched over to Lactose Free. With the baby, they switched her to lactose free formula I think Enfamil and put half ounce to 1 ounce of Karosyrup in her bottle depending on the ounces she drank. (1/2 ounce to 4 ounces formula) The put the Karosyrup in every bottle until she began to have regular BMs. Then she decreased to every other bottle. She has been fine since. Now she has started eating solids and gets prunes once a day with her cereal. Hope this helps! Good Luck!!
I have had a pediatrician who recommends giving the baby water mixed with Karo syrup(the light one) Though I was hesitant about it at first because of the sugar content, I tried it and it really did work.
Hi! I am so sorry to hear your son is going through this. 2 of my 3 children, when they were babies, had similar problems. The pediatrician never gave them any medication for it but suggested using the infant glycerine suppositories (over the counter at any pharmacy-although you might have to ask the pharmacist for it). Those seemed to help A LOT. You don't even have to leave it in - it seemed like seconds after inserting it, the baby would start straining and would be able to go. I would try that first before putting your son on medication. Good luck!
Hi M.,
I had an issue like this with my daughter. It may not be a problem with the formula at all. Some newborns have problems pushing the stool out because their rectal muscles are not strong enough. The constant changes in formula along with being constipated are probably making him pretty miserable. If he builds up any gas, he may not be able to push it out and therefore his stools back up as well (even if it is diarhea). Try giving him a little help by using a rectal thermometer with vaseline for lubrication. Just insert the thermometer as if you taking his temp (not far!), and very gently press up and down/side to side with the thermometer on the walls of his rectum to allow any gas, stool to come out. Make sure you keep his legs up and knees bent, and have a diaper ready! Once you insert the thermometer and start to gently press, you'll probably notice him start to push. This worked for my daughter and eventually there was no need to help her anymore.
PS- I did also switch to Lactose free formula as that helped all my kids have less gas problems.
Hope this helps and he feels better!
K.
(SAHM of three- daughter almost 5, son almost 3 and my baby girl who turns one tomorrow!)
Have you tried a tablespoon of molassas with water in a bottle? That worked with my son and he pooped in 10 minutes. My neighbir is a pediatrician and she told me to try that - good luck
My oldest had a terrible gas issue and I believe she was constipated however the doctors did not believe so. Long story short, I put her on ProSobee it is soy based. I also tried this little home remedy and it seemed to work. I put a little prune juice in her bottle. It helped. Hopefully this little trick may help you. Good Luck
First to comment on another persons response - Diarhia is common when babies are constipated because it's all that can get past the blockage. Don't rule anything out.
My girls were and still are constipated all the time. When they were very young like your little guy, we did 2TBS of brown sugar in 2 OZ warm water. We then did wind up moving to prune juice. Also you can try mineral oil in the bottles and/or glycerine suppositories. Both of these will help lube up the area/stool, but won't necessarily soften it. If he's been constipated for as long as it sounds, you're going to have to do something to help get out what's already stuck, AND work towards softening up the "newer" poo... My girls have at least 1 TBS twice a day of benefiber in their drinks which has worked really well to keep them regular. I also give them the new plumsmart juice daily and we give mirolax as needed if they do get blocked up. I know how hard it it! good luck!
M. listen to the doctor , and then see what happens,
I don't think its constipation because he goes diareah,
and NOT a regular POO
its more like he has Irritable Bowels,
and digestion issues.
If it were constipation he would stop eating ,and the gas can be painful, and triggered by his digestive problems, WHICH
SOY does irritate further.( ITs a NUT much more gasssy, and difficult for him to digest) not to mention allergies.
Good luck
M
PS I don't think its a blockage problem because poo is coming out, just in Diareah form, if it wass blocked NOTHING would come out, or his poo would be shaped pfunny and his belly would be bulging and the doctor would fee the poo in his abdomen upon examination.
HI Marissa,
I would highly recommend that you talk to the ped about doing some testing or referring you to a pediatric gastroenterologist ( stomach specialist). While food allergies can cause some problems, it sounds like this could be a medical condition. Look up Hirshsprungs ( Ithink this is the way you spell it)and see if the symptoms fit your sons. Nutrigima is not a bad formula,my niece was on it for a year and did very well on it.
good luck and if you have a gut feeling, stick with it..noone knows better than MOM..
MOm of 3 kids...20.18 and 17...
We had to give our son dark Caro syrup (found in any supermarket) using a medicine dispenser. After a few days it worked and we haven't had a problem since. (Tried prune juice & suppositories, but neither worked for him.) Good luck!
Hi M.,
Our daughter, who is now almost 3 had the same problem as an infant. Her doctor is correct that soy is biding, so stay away from it if you can. Our doctor presc. Mirilax (could not get it OTC back then) - just a very small amount (about 1/8 of the normal adult dosage) put into whatever she was drinking once a day was all she needed get things going. Especially when using such a small amount, it is quite safe. I would discuss it with your doctor.
Whenever my newborns went a day or 2 without a BM I would basically take their temperature. A gentle rectal thermometer was always enough stimulation to get them to go. Be careful it can be explosive:)! Lay them on a towel first! I found it much better than medicine alternatives. It stimulates the reflex that just may need a jumpstart. Also a warm bath (if that soothes them) then massaging their tummy in a clockwise motion before hand helps too.
None of boys have had constipation issues since. Ages 10. 6 and 4.
HTH
A.
my son was the same way. i had tried 5 different formulas before he was able to tolerate one without direahha or constipation. isomil or enfamil (soy) was great for him.
during the battle of the formula's. we gave him white grape juice diluted which works great. it may take a little while but it doesn;t give them diareha likr prune juice. also mineral oil works great. my daughter had to use that 2 times a day til she could go. she took that til she was 3. 1 teaspon 2 times a day. it acts like a softener without the mess. supposatories are only a quick fix to get rid of the blockage. good luck
try giving him gripe water- just make sure its alcohol free- u can try the little remedies brand....gripe water is herbal and safe.. it really helped my 6 week old settle her tummy... also make sue to give it to him before a feed... hope he feels better soon
Get a second opinion from another pediatrician not associated with yours.
discus further with your pedi, and get a second opinion. poss even a specialist. i wouldnt do any home remedy as you need to find the cause and correct it. it may be a simple intolerance of the formula type, or it could be a medical issue. either way you need to fix rather than expose your baby to certain things trying to make him go.
we had to use similac alimentum with our first for a few months then switched to reg good start. she did fine but it is so expensive. i would try soy based just to see prior to going to nutramigen. even IF soy is binding, i dont see why that would matter. you are just trying it in case his stomach is having issues with milk based. he is only drinking the formula so thats all you can change. and prune juice should work quickly. if it doesnt i would stop giving it.
good luck!!!
I am pretty ignorant about this stuff but I would encourage you to do what you need to do at this point to get him some help and a good diagnosis. My now 5 year old had horrible constipation when he was an infant but he is so regular now. He was exclusively breast fed at this time.
My point is that his problems now may not predict his future. I wouldn't worry that he'll always need stool softeners if you use them now or that he'll always need some sort of intervention.
I do remember that when he hadn't gone for 8 days(!!) the doctor said oh that's outrageous, you let this go for too long. I felt so guilty but nobody was every clear on just what the outside limits of normal were. Be proactive.
Good luck.
Hi M.,
It's heartbreaking when you know your little one is not himself/not well, and what you've tried so far isn't working. My youngest (now 7 months) has been on Gentlease since he was about 3 weeks old b/c of gas & constipation he got from the regular Enfamil. On the regular Enfamil, he would strain and writhe, and you just KNEW that something wasn't right.
Before he was switched to the Gentlease, our ped. recommended glycerin suppositories. We bought the child sized ones and cut them in half lengthwize AND by width - leaving a small sliver. He responded quite well to them.
The Gentlease formula does have lactose - about 1/4 of the amount found in reg. formula. However, the milk proteins in the Gentlease are partially broken down, so it's easier to digest. Our son never really spit up since going on the Gentlease, and it solved our gas/constipation issues as well.
A few months ago, we tried to transition our son back to regular Enfamil (with our ped.'s knowledge), but we were back to square one. So, we've stayed on the Gentlease.
The suppositories are really nothing to fear. If he hasn't had a BM (other than the diarrhea) yet, I'd mention it to your ped.
Good luck, and hang in there!
I would call the Ped and talk about it. If she still doensn't give you any better suggestions I would call for a second opinion.
You could also search the internet and see what you can find. I think there is a site called www.MD.com or something like that.
I love the other moms exercise idea. Smart Mom!
This happened to my son at 8 weeks too. He would strain so badly he would end up with fissures and rectal bleeding. The screaming was unbearable. We tried the prune juice and vaseline on a q-tip thing. I did not want to do the suppository route either. But our doctor switched him to the Similac Allimentum. It was the BEST thing ever! We noticed a change immediately! It was so expensive $9.00 a 32 oz bottle but worth every penny, I would have paid double to make him comfortable. She said we could try all those other formula's like soy that you mentioned but the Allimentum usually does the trick. She only kept him on it a few months until his system matured a little. If you do end up switching be sure to ask for coupons and formula at the doctors office... they always have a stash. Good luck.. feel free to e-mail me. A.
My daughter had the same problem, I switched her to soy milk and gave her 6 oz of water daily this help alot. Her poo was little round pellets. Even to this day, water is the best for her. I hope you can find something that will help.
P.S. Get a second opinion with a med.
Good Luck :)
It sounds to me like you need to find a new doctor who is more concerned with how you feel. This one isn't listening to you.
You can try adding dark Karo syrup to his bottles. It isn't absorbed by the body so he won't be getting too much sugar. It works wonders if given regularly. When he's ready to have that bm lay him on his back and gently push his knees to his stomach. Let him push his feet against your hands. You may even have to help shape the stool with your hand from the outside. It seems strange, but it's amazing the things you'll try when your child has been constipated for a while.
You may also consider asking your "new" doctor about putting your son on goat's milk. It was much more common when we were babies, but it's still done. It's more expensive then regular formula, but less expensive then Nutramigen.
Hi M.,
I had a similar problem with my son at about that age. I had to stop nursing because i got sick. I started with Enfamil, it was horrible he was so constipated he would scream anytime he had gas. My ped told me to use a glycerin suppository (Babylax). It says for ages 2-5 but i spoke to the pharmacist, they said it was ok to use on babies. It worked in minutes major explosion. I also changed formula to Good Start my ped said that it produces loose stools. In two days on new formula after suppository he was pooping normal and has been great ever since. A lot of people say that Enfamil is a hard formula, try the Good Start i swear by it.
I hope this helps, and good luck
My 7 month old was the same way. About 3-5 days old she didn't go for 3 days and I was beside myself. We went the doctors and there wasn't a lot they can do. We switched to a soy formula and that helped a lot. But, she goes only one time a day and sometimes everyother day. I don't think a softner at this agae is good, the doctor looked into that, and really more for a 4-6 month old. She also suggested prune jucie/water and water 2 times a day. Don't over do or you will have the other reaction. Take care and I hope this helps. Alison
hello
I dont know if anyone still does this. Thirty four years ago my daughter had a simular problem. The pediatrician told me to put some light caro syrup in her bottle.
In two days she was on the road to having a bowel movement everyday.
Ask your pediatrician if this okay.
It might not just be a lactose intolerance. It might be a milk intolerance. I would try Alimentum or soy-based. You def need to change that formula fast - his body is definitely not agreeing to something in the current formula.
Good luck and I hope he feels better real soon!
My beloved nutritionist, who also sent me to MamaSource, told me to give a fingertip of Molasses to my baby (who was less than 8 weeks at the tip). I gave her a few and it worked like magic. Just dip it your finger in molasses and let your son suck it off your finger. My little girl loved it and it helped!
try good old karo syrup, the clear one. that is what i did for my children. my oldest had the same problem. we just added the karo syrup to her formula. T.
nutramagin worked very well for my granddaughter who had a similar situation.
I'm so sorry to hear your son is so uncomfortable. There is nothing worse than feeling helpless when it comes to making our children feel better. My daughter had serious issues with constipation, discomfort, gas, etc. We did the QTip trick, because our Doctor did not seem concerned. I felt that if we had to *help* her along then something she was eating was not working for her. We tried everything on the market (except Soy because we "googled" the negative effects of soy and made the personal decision not to give it to her). We discovered "Nature's One" formula - it's an organic, rice-based formula we found at Wild Oats and Whole Foods http://www.naturesone.com/index.php
There is a section on their website where you can compare their product's nutritional values against others on the market. It says "Toddler Formula" on the package but that is because they are advocates of breast feeding during the first year. For babies, they recommend printing their nutritional comparison chart and reviewing it with your Doctor. They just came out with a lactose-free product and I highly recommend giving them a try. Read about their company on their website - it's frightening to think about what these other companies are adding to our children's formulas. Also, keep your proofs of purchase so you can earn free formula! Good luck and I hope he feels better soon!
I had the same issue with my daughter. My pharmacist recommended a liquid form of fiber -- I can't remember the name, but it looked like molasses, was made from grain (so I felt good because it was completely natural) and it worked like magic. I used on 1/8 tsp. in one bottle a couple of times a day.
Hope it helps.
If you are questioning your ped's advice I'd ask for a second opinion or a consultation with a GI. My son has serious medical needs and I have saved his life twice by getting a second opinion when I didn't trust the diagnosis or treatment. You know your son better than anyone. Good luck!
You may want to try some flaxseed oil and/or acidophilus powder for healthy natural bowel movements. Also, Nutramigen and others like it (ex. Alimentum) can often be a great help to sensitive babies, if you're unable to breastfeed.
my friend gave her son a few ounces of prune juice (based on advice of her ped) from about 2 weeks old on, and hasn't had a problem since (he's 1 now). good luck!
My son was on nutramigin until he was almost 14 months old. Not for constipation reasons, but for allergy reasons. Never had any problems with it at all. He never had a problem with a BM while he was on that either. Maybe you should try it. Try it and if he is still having an issue I would take him to a pediactric gastro-intestinal doctor. So many kids these days are having so many issues with BM's. It's weird. Also, I don't know how it works in NY but here in NJ if your child is on Nutramigin or Similac Alumentium it's considered a "special need" and insurance (regardless of what type) has to cover all or a portion of the formula expense. If you do it..call your insurance company and see what they can do. It can be really expensive especially if your son is a big eater like my son was.
Is it possible for you to breastfeed-it is possible the formula. You could make your own formula,which might be better for the baby than the one you are using.
Children with chronic constipation often have food allergies or food sensitivities. Once these are identified and the aggravating foods are removed from the diet, bowel movements become a daily occurrence, and are not hard and painful. Food allergies/sensitivities can be identified different ways. The best in my opinion is a test that looks for antibodies (called "IgG" antibodies) in the blood that have been made against specific foods. The test involves a finger poke and the collection of a few drops of blood. The blood is then sent to a lab and tested against 96 different food
