My 6 month old baby has been eating oatmeal cereal really well for about a month now. Recently we have added peaches and pears to his otherwise breastmilk only diet. He generally only poops about every 3 days or so, but recently he hasn't gone for over a week! He seems to be straining and grunting and uncomfortable at times, and I am very worried that he hasn't pooped! His doctor suggested giving him 2 or 3 ounces of prune juice, which we have tried for the last 3 days to help, but still nothing. Does anyone have any suggestions? Any advice would be appreciated! Thank you!
I was having the same problem with my daughter, and it would be really painful for her to go. I think it all started with the solid foods. So I have given her prunes and it really helps her go, it takes about a day to work through her system.
I also gave her plenty of tummy time, and the pressure seemed to help her go better. You could try rubbing his belly or pushing his legs close to him, or bicycling his legs. Sometimes the movement will help.
I would avoid things like corn syrup or OTC medicines until you see a doctor, but if he is eating solids, the prunes work well.
Unfortunately I have a lot of experience with this -- in both my children. I know this may sound odd, but at this point you may need to 'help' your little guy pass the hard mass of poop that he can't seem to pass on his own. If you're seeing him grunt, that means his urge is there and it's just too large. Eventually prune juice might help break that down, but I hate to keep my little ones in discomfort for so long. I have on many occassions massaged my baby's tummy a few minutes (look up which direction the intestines flow and massage in that same direction) and then used a thermometer dipped in vaseline to stimulate the urge to push and then helped him keep going by breaking the large piece down with the thermometer as it becomes visible. Okay, I know major TMI, but a moms gotta do what a moms gotta do :0)
Your goal should be to only introduce one new food at a time so that you can tell immediately how that food affects you son's system. Babyfood pears caused constipation in both of my kids -- so did applesauce and bananas. Peaches were never a problem. Just don't feed him those foods he seems sensitive to -- there are plenty of healthy options. Right now my 6 month old son eats these solids: avocado, sweetpotatos, butternut squash. You might try these. Good luck!
breastfeed more, less solids. Breastmilk is the ideal food, what he needs for the main source of nutrition and calories and is a natural laxitive.
Slow down on the solids! He doesn't need cereal at all, really, how nutritious is it? Nothing compared to breastmilk!
My dd didn't start solids until she was 10 months old, I waited for her to show signs of readiness.
Audrey,
Put 1 teaspoon dark Karo syrup in his bottle with warm water.This really helps!
Continue the prune juice it will eventually work. There is this pwder that you can put into drinks but you can only get it in a prescription it is called Glycomax and that really seems to work. Ask your doctor about that. Good luck
I had a daughter also, it was suggested for me to use glycerin sticks to stimulate. You just slide it in and out. Hold his bum over an opened diaper. When the poop stops coming, than your done.
If he doesn't go, it can cause intestinal and liver problems. If the prune juice isn't working, it is because what is already trying to get out is hard and probably huge. I would also wear tight fitting gloves, it can get messy!
good luck
Try dark karo syrup or a baking soda bath. Both seemed to really help my daughter when she was constipated from around 6 months-18 months, on and off. For the bath, I would fill the water up to just below her belly button and would add about 3/4 of the baking soda. I would let him sit in there for 15 minutes or so. I swear, I did this a few times and after about 20 minutes out of the bath, my daughter was pooping! For the karo syrup, I think I added approx. 1 tbls to her bottle. Good luck.
My first daughter had constipation problems. We mixed prunes (baby food from the jar) in with her formula. Worked like a charm. I think the juice just isn't enough fiber. You may also try giving her water after she eats her cereals. If you are only giving breastmilk, she may not be getting enough liquid to move her stools. Hope it gets better.
I agree with the glycerin stick idea already left but do not use a full stick! There should be no need to hold your child over an open diaper. I used to use these with my son. Cut each stick into 3 small pieces, cover the stick with vaseline and put it up there. These are so mild but they work. Within 5 minutes your son should be pooping.
It sounds weird but he won't even feel it, I promise.
MY Daughter had severe constipation. The cereal exacerbated it as iron is constipating (in fact the la lache League recommends beginning with fruit and veggies and no cereal until child is older), but it was derived from the apples she ate. We went back exclusively to breast milk and when she resumed normal BM's we then re-introduced foods, one at a time. It was apparent that apples were her big allergy, and because he has had this with peaches and pears, perhaps it is the pectin in one of those fruits. I hope this is helpful. Because he is so little, to go back to breast milk exclusively for a few weeks will be ok for you both, and a good way to get a grip on his BM's without a big disruption. Good luck, and happy pooping!
My daughter (now 9) has suffered from Cronic Constipation since an infant. Best advice apple juice and regular diet of it. STAY AWAY from apple sauce it will work opposite of the apple juice. Also ask your doctor about Miralax(sp?), our doctor put us on it by the time my daughter was 3-4 months old and if used regularly it will help...my daughter uses as needed now. Also research online under Cronic Constipation it will provide other natural ways to help clear him out!
If you're mixing the cereal with other than breast milk, you might try mixing it with breast milk. Or try backing off the friut for a couple of days and/or going to rice cereal. Good luck!
hi Audrey...stop with all of the solids and go back to the breast milk first. then you may have to help your baby go. when he strains you will probably see poopies at the opening. hold the anus opening so that when the poop comes out he doesn't rip. then gently massage his tummy so it will move and get him to drink as much juice or just the breast milk as you can. you have to physically help your baby get his very hard poopies out without ripping his rectum. once his bm is normal consistency, (this may take more than just one try) slowly move him back to the solids. try rice cereal first and as runny as possible. keep those fluids coming. :) mommy hood....isn't it just ....awesome?
i am a 57 year old mommy of 6 single birth children and i miss all those precious moments....except when they cry trying to poop. my kids say i am the best mommie :) in the whole world,i sure don't know about that. they range in age from 18 to 36... three boys and three girls and all are highly successful adults now. God bless...pamela m.
i had the same problem with my girls. I couldn't even get them to drink juice. My doctor suggested a glycerin suppository and that would help them poop immediately. You certainly don't want to do it to often. Before you do it you will want to talk to you doctor and make sure your babies tummy isn't hard. That would mean a blockage.
I've found apple juice really helps my kids-and grapes. You can give them 4 oz of apple juice every half hour till it happens. Also, with the grapes...my kids can only have about 6 grapes before it cleans them out. So you might want to try those. Make sure you slice them small. :)
My daughter had the same problem with her daughter when she switched formula and the pharmacist at the store told her to use a baby supository which worked very well. It seemed to make her poop almost right away. Her doctor also told her the baby should have at least one bowel movement a day. After a couple times using the supository she has not had a problem pooping.
I really like all of the suggestion that you have received and I agree with them. My son had trouble right off after birth. I finally took him to a chropractor. He was only anbout a week old. He did this little adjustment and you wouldn't believe the difference!! He could go so much easier and immediately. Be sure to ask if the chiropractor has worked on babies. I was amazed at the difference. When he was born his hips had twisted and he was a little off.
It looks like you've already gotten alot of good advice. My 2 daughters ( 4 months and 2 years) are always fighting consitpation. The 1 Tbsp of karo syrup works for the 4 month old and the 2 year old is on Miralax. For the glycerin suppositories, cut them length wise to make them smaller. Also, someone suggested going to rice cereal. Rice is a constipator so you would probably want to stay away from that. Another thing you can try to stimulate his bowels is to use a anal thermometer. Stick it in a little bit (not too far to hurt anything)
good luck. it's been a long battle for us. hope yours goes better.
Hi Audrey,
Go to the health store and get books written by Dr. Bernard Jensen. He will give you much knowledge.
The little one would be healthier if he went daily, the fact that he goes once in 3 days makes me wonder. If he is 6 months old he is still too young to eat grown up food that can clog him up, especially all the junk food. Now I don't know you to I appologize for not knowing what he is eating right now...A banana can act as a constipater or give you the runs. The difference is, when the banana is ripe (yellow with little brown spots)that is the best time for consumption and can loosen the bowls. If the are yellow with green on the stem, that will constipate you according to Dr. Bernard Jensen and other. Go to a health food store where they have books and get a good book on what to feed your baby and you will lessen your trips to the doctor.....bless your little man...Linda