You don't say how often he does...I would not give him anything else than what he's used to until you speak with your pediatrician and go with what they suggest - it may be pedialyte or something like that. My 9 week old goes every few days my 3 year old would go every or every other day and both are/were breastfed, I think they're all different. Something to try if you think he might be constipated is to take his temp rectally - it usually works. But if it's still loose/soft and not hard and formed this is probably normal for him. (I will warn you until my 9 week old switched to every few days it would be up to a 5 days in between and he'd fill 2 diapers in a row when he finally went.)
Never do anything without your pediatrician's approval, but there are suppositories for infants that can help. I had to use them occasionally with my baby until her system got adjusted.
I have a 2 mo old little boy. And about the time I switched from breast to formula (around 3 wks) he got very constipated. I did try the Karo syrup. I just used about 1/2 tsp in a 3 oz bottle of formula and he literally had a HUGE poop within an hour or so. I was nervous about using it, but glad I did b/c his suffering (and MINE!) was over. I have only used it once. I wouldn't suggest continued use...but it helped us in a great time of need.
Hope this helps!
Dear Gina,
What I did with my children and granchildren. Put a little bit of karo syrup in the formula,start out with a few drops if it don't work add a little more .But keep track of how much you use.If they go to often and to loose back off. good luck.
Janet G
I am a grndmother who breastfed all four of my children. They all had infrequent bowel movements, which is normal for breastfed babies. One went only every 14 days, like clockwork, another every 10 days. After my first baby, I didn't really worry about the frequency anymore, but two of my others actually had trouble pooping, as did my grandson. (You mentioned your son is grunting and acting uncomfortable--that's what mine did.) My pediatrician explained that they often have a problem with what he called "anal-intestinal incoordination". He said that some babies have trouble pushing and relaxing the rectum at the same time. This is why the rectal thermometer often works, but his suggestion was to buy pediatric glycerin suppositories and insert them partially to hold the rectum open; stand there and hold it for as long as it takes for your baby to get relief. It may take several minutes, and the suppository may begin to melt before the poop will start to come. I suggest you lay him on a towel and keep lots of wipes ready--it can get really messy, but it really works and it will be worth the mess to see your precious one comfortable again!
I had the same problem with my youngest. I put her on the Similac organic and she did a lot better. Hope this helps. I know how frustrating this problem can be.
My pedetrician said it is ok for a baby to go 2-3 days without pooping. So try not to assist with his pooping, using therm in butt or laxatives. Good Luck!
put in every bottle a drop of dark kero syrup. this helps. my son and daughter both had very bad constipation problems. i was unsure but then i had no choice when he wouldn't do. also, you can get infant enemas. walgreens, etc. warm them up in your hand and put it in. he'll poop within a few hours.
My suggestion is that if that formula has iron in it then find another one. It will make him SO constipated!
Good Luck!
Hi Gina,
You don't mention how long he goes between bowel movements. Nor do you mention what "type" of BM it is when one does come along. Is it hard vs. soft?
I ask these things because I too was worried about my little guy and how he used to have a few BMs PER day (very liquidy and seedy at first, then turning green---just as it's supposed to be) during his first few weeks of life. And then, like you, he just STOPPED at 4 weeks!
In fact, I took him in for his 4-week well baby visit and told the pediatrician that I was concerned that my baby hadn't had a BM for the past 3 days and that they used to be a few per day. The doctor told me not to worry about a few days, that this was very normal, and that as long as it wasn't a hard ball (and as long as there are a lot of wet diapers, which is more important to occur several times per day) when it came out that there was no need to do anything. Well, he did have a BM the very next day and it was very soft / liquidy (it's about the consistency of melted chocolate and will completely fill --- or blow out --- his diaper).
That schedule has continued to this day and Max is now 3 months old. He goes once every 3 - 5 days on average (it was 7 days this last time!) and it is the same consistency. And, as of his 2-month well baby visit, his doctor was still unconcerned.
My advice would be to check with your pediatrician to see if they are concerned. If your story is like mine, and the poop is soft, then obviously you wouldn't want to give a stool softener of any kind.
By the way, the cause of my son's "delays" may be gas. He is a very gassy, uncomfortable baby compared to his big brother. He also squirms a lot---like your son---and grunts when he is "pushing". However, all he is pushing out is gas. Perhaps this is also your little boy's story...
Good luck...I hope this helps!
Karo syrup. That is what I had to use for all my babies. use a hlaf teaspoon and mix it with his milk. He will start to get regular after a couple feedings.