Has Your Baby Been Constipated Before?

My son had that issue when he was about 3 months as he was whiched from breast milk & formula to just formula. Try to gradually change her to 100% formula ( I used soy formula as well since he was alway sa bit gassy). You can always massage her tummy and lower back, Play the pushing leg game (gently push her legs up to her tummy with her knees touching her tummy and move them in a small circle, repeat), or if it gets really bad you can put a small amount (1/2 oz. or less) of prune juice in her bottle. That is what I did for my son as i didn't want to give him a sopisitory (sp?). I had to do it once and it was NO fun! It took him about 2 weeks for his poop to get back to normal. Poop that is the consistancy of soft clay, per my pediatrician, is ok. As long as they are going and there is no blood in her stool. My son is now nearly 20 months and still weird poop issues. LOL If you are really bothered by it, do call her doctor as it is what they are there for and it will give you peace of mind if the mommy's on here don't. Keep up the good work and know that you are doing a wonderful job!

L.,

When my son went to formula full-time our Pedi advised me to make the switch gradually, as to not disrupt his digestive system. So we went from 50/50 to 60/40 and then the transition was made over two months and not cold turkey.

Also, formula is synthetic so it's not perfect like BM and not as easy to digest for little tummies. Depending on what formula you are using you might want to consider switching to something else. My son was on Enfamil Lipil and had issues with Lactose so we ended up on Enfamil LactoFree and that one was great. My good friend used Enfamil Gentlease for her little girl who had issues with digesting Similac and Nestle. So, definitely consult her Pedi about making a change and try something else if it's constipating her now for a few weeks you really shouldn't wait.

Okay, so the taste is not the same! BM is sweet and yummy and the consistency is not the same. If you can, you might want to try to mix BM with the formula a little bit longer. Phasing it out can be less confusing and more welcoming. Also the constipation may be a reason she's not super into the formula, but taking it when she really is hungry.

Last thing for the constipation, please stay away from OTC (like suppositories or laxitives) remedies for constipation. In every age, but especially infants that can do damage to the colon's function and the enzymes in the stomach. My son's Pedi said there is no reason for them to be administered by parents at home. Use just plain old prune juice, 1/2 oz to 3.5 oz of water worked wonders on my son. I did this once a day while he was getting used to the formula and it was fine after a couple of days.

But, again if it seems as though it is giving her discomfort trying to poop at ALL please call the Pedi and make sure. My opinion is that IF you have a question about ANYTHING medical make sure you get a professionals advice and second opinion if you need it.

Good Luck and I hope your little feels better!!

Ditto Deanna Leigh.

Also though, when making the Formula, make sure you put the water in the bottle first for how many ounces you want to make...THEN add in the Formula powder. If not, it can become too concentrated and it can be too hard on the kidneys as well.

I know it seems common sense, but I even read it on a can once... and I've seen lots of Moms just put the powder in the bottle first, then adding in the water. But it's not correct.
Some Moms, add a little more water as well...

Ask your Pediatrician, each baby is different. But yes, she seems constipated. The "ideal" consistency for poop, for a baby and child, is like that of cooked oatmeal. (per our Pediatric Gastroenterologist when my daughter had constipation as a toddler).

All the best,
Susan

And so, why are you taking her off breast milk? I wanted to do it for at least a year with my kids, back in those days, there were people who didn't stop until the baby could start unbuttoning your blouse in public places. I actually only managed about 8 months with my first, and six months with my second. Three months seems awfully young to stop. Going back on breast milk would solve the poop problems. If you feel your milk is running out, contact La Leche League for help, or try the trick of going to bed with the baby for a weekend and doing nothing but eating, drinking, and nursing on demand. (in other words, don't burn calories) The milk supply will naturally build back up if you are eating and drinking enough. If you HAVE to give it up, try giving your baby a little prunes as a dose of medicine (at that age, is she even on solids?), and follow with a little water. You don't want to give too much water or diluted (1/1) apple juice, because it will take away her appetite for the formula, which she needs more. Soft clay is not bad for consistency, unless she is straining too much to get it out. If the prunes or apple juice don't soften the stool enough, go get a magnesium product from the Health food store, that is intended for infants, mix with water, and give a dose as recommended until the stools are soft. I have an older baby that sometimes has rock hard stools like little pieces of gravel, and I use the magnesium (it is called Child calm) off an on when she needs it. But she is eating a variety of solids and table foods, and has other digestive problems. A little one like yours just needs to stay on breast milk longer, if possible.

Had a very similar problem last week with my twins. I switched to formula (gradually over a week) and they went from pooping with every diaper change to not at all. I did give my son a liquid suppository if he went 24 hours with out a poop (only did it twice) and my girl had small ones similar to your daughter. Good news is that the last 3 days both had good size oatmeal/clay stools all on their own and the doc said once or twice a day is fine. I guess they just need to adapt. They are a little fussier and gassier (not severe but definately different than when I was pumping) and my next batch of formula I will try gentleease. Although I agree that breastmilk is better I CAN NOT continue to pump 8-10 times a day for 20minutes (what the lactation people say is the minimum)....that's 4-5hours a day, not including feeding them. I know many babies (myself included) who have done very well on formula so do not feel pressured or guilty for making the switch. Good luck!

when my daughter was a month old i had to make the switch to formula too (from a 50/50 split). she also got severely constipated. i had to switch formulas. she started on enfamil lipil (which is what she got in the nicu as a suppliment) then went to the gentlease and finally to good start which was great to her little tummy. in this process i had to give her a couple suppositories and little timmies laxitives. with the suppositories the pharmicist told me to cut a pediatric suppository into 1/4s and insert 1/4 and hold it there for atleast 5 mins (you have to hold your finger over your babies rectum so it doesnt get pushed out too soon). then what i did with my daughter was when she beared down to go i gently pushed her knees to her tummy to help. usually this did the trick and i only did it as a last stitch effort any time after this. with the little tummies you can just put the required amount into your babies bottle. i would do this in the morning with the first bottle then again 4-6 hours later if there was not bowel movement. also you can put 2oz of straight prune juice in the bottle 1-2 times a day. a friend of mines dr said to do that with her baby. good luck!

u can use childrens suppositories on her..and try watering down the formula just a tad..the suppositories are safe..ask your doc if you're worried

When I switched formula my baby stopped pooping regularly for a few days. It was only once every other day until he got used to the new stuff. I read that you should only be concerned if your baby hasn't pooped in 72 hours. So, it's probably just the formula and your baby is getting used to digesting it.

My Ped told me to try supossitories(?) We cut them in half and within a couple of hours, she pooped. It's not a cure all, but will help her if she really needs to go and can't.

When I started using formula with my son he had the same problem. Our pediatrician told us to add a little prune juice the formula. Don't add too much or gas pains can occur. I wouldn't recommend using a suppository if the stools aren't hard (soft clay is ok). You daughter is getting used to the difference in consistency of her BMs. Try the juice. It will get better. Good luck.

My daughter had a similar issue when she was 10-months old. I think it may have been related to the increased amount of iron in most formula brands. Feeding my daughter baby yougart (like Yo Baby) really seemed to help her constipation.

I hope this suggestion helps your little girl.

I apologize L.. I just re-read your email and saw that your baby is only 3-months old. I'm not sure if yougart is appropriate for a baby her age. You might want to check with your doctor first if none of these other suggestions work.

Formula is not a natural food and it is not uncommon for constipation to occur. My son had it once when I started giving him formula on top of my milk, but when I cut out the formula he went back to normal. What about pumping your breastmilk if you're returning to work?

Try babies magic tea and include this in her formula twice a night. It will get rid of gas and she will never be constipated.

Updated

Try babies magic tea and include this in her formula twice a night. It will get rid of gas and she will never be constipated.

Hi L.,
I have not had this problem but have known others that have. I would call her doctor because its probably the iron in the formula thats causing the problem. There are so many other options of formula out there for her. Hope this was of some help!

L..