my pediatrician told me two give my 1 week old baby corn syrup for his bowels good or bad?

Question

i have been giving my newborn karo syrup in his formula getting the advice from his pediatrician now i find out corn syrup of any kind is not safe for babies under 12 months it causes a disease called infant boutism. whew! man I am nervous ihope this will not harm my baby!! has any one heard of any reported cases on this disease and infants? my baby seems restless especially at night he als gets irritable! i am worried out of my mind i mean this is info i got from the pediatrician and i followed it now i feel as if i have to watch my baby's every move i discontinued use after what i found out. is there anybody out there who have heard about this let me know if you have ever researched old remedies could we be harming our children? what is healthy and who's diets should they follow? everyone has their own theories but what is right and what is wrong?

Answer 1

A teaspoon of Dark karo syrup in a bottle of water or formula has got to be one of the oldest constipation cures on the books. My mother used it with me, I used it with all six kids- as needed. It isn't Karo that is a danger to cause infant botulism- that's HONEY, not Karo syrup. Although if you breast fed the baby, he/she may very well not have a messy diaper everyday, because breast milk is very efficiently digested and there isn't much left over. Formula fed infants vary, though some may not go every day either. At one week, there's no way you could know yet what is the normal pattern for your baby. He may be irritable at night simply because he's hungry. New babies eat anywhere from between 2 and 4 hours, all day and night long. He could also be irritable from gas, if he isn't getting fully burped before you put him down. He may just like to be swaddled, wrapped tight, and put with his head towards a corner of the crib so it just touches. That will make things feel a bit more familiar to him. What you have is new baby nerves, which will pass as you and he get more familiar with one another. Meantime, no the Karo is not harmful to your baby. There are plenty of other things you can find to keep you up nights, not the least of which is the new baby. Relax, and listen to your instincts, the pediatrician and the baby.

Answer 2

I would have to say that not being able to poop is at least as much a risk to your babies health as the Karo syrup.

Doc prescribed it for my daughter too, btw. I, also, didnt like the idea, as I didnt want her to have so much sugar. My mom suggested I give her a little diluted apple juice which I have been doing for some time since and which, most of the time, works great. However, your baby is not old enough for juice.

Continue with the Karo till she's old enough for juice. I don't believe it would be too late, unless you've had shots. Why not try breastfeeding, also. Breastfed babies have VERY watery BMs. Might help. (I breastfed my daughter till she was 9 months. Wish I'd gone a year. She still got constipated; but I believe it would have probably been worse were she on formula.)

Also, you can always seek a second opinion if it would make you feel more comfortable.

Finally, have you spoke to your pediatrician about your concerns? Asked him/ her about infant boutism and whether there are any risks for your baby?

Answer 3

Your thinking of honey not corn syrup... honey can carry bacteria.
Corn syrup is something that has been recommended by hundreds of Peds. My daughter was so consitipated that I was getting worried. My mother told me to put about a tablespoon of corn syrup in a 4 oz. bottle with warm water. She sucked it down in seconds and within 10 min. she had a bowel movement. It's not going to hurt your baby. Formula has a tendency to cause constipation in infants. If your child is old enough... you might want to start introducing juices (1 part juice to 2 parts water). Not citrus at first though. If they are not old enough to introduce juice to then corn syrup is one of your safer 'home remedies'. It's usually a lot easier on them then some laxatives.

Answer 4

I have been told it was bad, they used to do it all the time back in the day. Is the Doctor maybe older? I never did it with my son, everything I ever read said not too. It's pure sugar! Why would that be okay to give to a baby? I would try a small amount of prune juice, or an over the counter medicine. Get a second opinion from another doctor too.

Answer 5

Karo syrup has been used for years for constipation in babies. Totally safe.

Answer 6

i put karo syrup in my daughters water shes just fine. my mom did it to me and so on. there really isnt a wrong way do what makes you comfortable. if u use karo syrup use the light. plus, i read it doesnt cause boutism anymore. it all depends on what doctor you go to.

Answer 7

I have used corn syrup as recommended by health nurse, family and friends, and it worked and my kids are all fine. However, it is your baby, and you have to do what you feel is right for you and your baby. If it makes you uncomfortable, buy some infant prune juice. I KNOW that works too LOL.

Answer 8

My Mom gave me Karo corn syrup (1 tsp) in warm water; this also was good for stomach pains and hiccups. I gave this remedy to my kids with no problems (they are now 34, 25 & 11).

Answer 9

bless your heart new mommy! i'm sure your dr. should be experienced enough, not to tell you anything that would harm your little one. i too was told to administer the "good ole" Karo syrup to my baby, and she was just fine. i was actually told this by several older mommies, as well as the dr. you have to think of it this way, these people have dealt with alot more babies than we have, and they've all turned out fine. the fact is your going to worry about your little one for the rest of there natural life, it's all just part of being a mom.

Answer 10

I have twin girls who are 5 months ane the best remedy would be to use a tea spoon or Karo syrup and it works miracles.