My six week old is on Similac Soy formula and is getting very constipated. We put her on the soy formula because she seems to have milk sensitivity. We even tried the lactose free formula but she still got very gassy. The soy formula is great except for the constipation! We have tried putting prune juice in her bottle 2x a day but that doesn't seem to get anything moving. We have stimulated her anus and that gets her to go..but that's about it. Any suggestions?
I was thinking about trying her on Similac Alimentum.
my baby girl had the SAME EXACT problem. And I also tried everything you listed. I finally ended up going to a doctor to help me figure this out. He told me to get laxatives for her....however mine was about 5 months....not 6 weeks. I'd call your pediatrician, see if there's anything you can give her.According to her doctor, my baby girl needed to get acclimated to the soy and her digestive system needed a little time so it was a waiting game. we watched her closely for about 3 weeks and FINALLY she took to the soy. Alimentum didn't work for her cause she just didn't like it (my wallet was happy about that), so give it a try.
Alimentum is the only thing my daughter has ever been able to tolerate (couldn't even do breastmilk b/c of allergies). We struggled with constipation on Soy...not fun. Alimentum has been an answer to our prayers. Pricey, but at least we have something that works!
My son has the same exact problem right now. He is nine weeks old. We discussed his situation with his doctor and she said that as long as his poop is soft, not hard like a rock and he goes regularly, then it's fine. She did suggest me to try different brand of soy formula, because some babies like one brand than the other. But I would definitely call her daughter's doctor and see what the doctor suggest. Good Luck.
soy is very hard to digest (especially in "new" organs). If you can find an alternative that is not soy based that might solve the problem.
In the meantime you can rub her stomach (around her bellybutton) in circles firmly 1 way and then the other way. Follow that with bending her knees with her legs together and pushing them into her tummy. Do 5 minutes of rubbing and 5 minutes of knee tucks (or as much as she'll let you do) every few others. This helps with releasing gas and get her to have a bm.