My son is breast fed with one 6oz formula bottle in the evening. Is there anything I can eat to help him pass bowel movements easier and when he is consipated, what can I do to help relieve him?
2006-09-30 02:18:23 · 44 answers · asked by Marlene 3 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
OMIGOD!!!! NOT CONSTIPATED!!! IS GROWING! My little girl, she went thru the same thing. I freaked out... dr, told me to settle down, not constipated, just growing and needs the extra 'food' therefore, doesn't poop as frequently.
ALSO: formula at night (which i did too) slows the system just a little. B/c breastmilk passes so easily, and has little to it, not much comes out. With formula, it is more binding, but not constipating. Little one will just poop less frequently, and may pass larger ones all at once.
Ifyou were sick and ate nothing but clear fluids etc, for a couple days, you'd likely poop very seldom (sorry for the descriptions). HOWEVER... If you drank homo milk and yogurt... can you see where i'm going? I'm not pretending i know everything. Just from experience.
Please believe me when i tell you it's normal. Baby will be fine.
IF baby crying, and looks distended, and pulls legs up to chest lots whilst crying, talk to dr.
:o)
Good Luck!!!
2006-09-30 07:17:03 · answer #1 · answered by pandabear30 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Eat a good diet ,breast feeding can be draining on your body and try offering him water between feeds from a bottle .I found sometimes my babies were just thirsty and didnt really want a breast feed just a drink..
It wont be long before you will be starting to offer him solids and kiwi fruit is a great laxative!
Also what formula are you giving him?it could be that thats upsetting his digestion ..they are made from cows milk and dont agree with all babies cutting out that might do the trick.If you need a break express some milk and let someone else feed him..you can freeze breast milk and store it for later in bottles you attatch from the pump.An Advent pump is the best to use I found once you get the hang of it its really easy!
2006-09-30 02:32:05 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
First of all, it's probably not constipation. Constipation includes straining and hard, dry poops. It does not have to do with the (in)frequency of stooling. Many breastfed babies can go up to 1-2 weeks without having a bowel movement. As long as baby isn't uncomfortable and straining, your baby probably is not constipated.
If he is constipated, try cutting out the formula. Formula has iron, which can mess up their digestive tracts. I gave my first iron supplements, not even formula, just vitamins, and her poop changed almost immediately in color, consistancy, and smell. She also appeared to be more uncomfortable with trying to have a bowel movement. I stopped giving it to her after only two days and she suddenly went back to normal. Never again will I give my baby vitamins as it's not needed.
If you're concerned about not making enough milk, you can cut out the formula slowly and take herbs to help your milk supply to increase. Mother's Milk Tea by Traditional Medicinals has many herbs that are proven to increase supply. Oatmeal also can increase supply, so have some cookies with that tea. But remember that the more often your baby is at the breast, the more milk your body will produce.
2006-09-30 03:38:15 · answer #3 · answered by I ♥ EC 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Don't give him sugar water or prune juice!
Do give him 6oz plain cooled boiled water to drink every day. It's probably the formula that's making him constipated.
If that doesn't sort him out within 24 hours - take him to the doctor. DON'T give a two month old baby ANY over the counter medicines without checking with your doctor first.
2006-09-30 02:44:17 · answer #4 · answered by RM 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Cow & Gate Comfort formula is great for constipation. I used it for my 3 kids because I was unable to breastfeed and it really helped. Your babys stools will change in color and will be smellier but this is normal. If this doesn't solve it pls see the GP/HV, I know sometimes they are just so useless and unintrested, but the GP could prescribe some Lactulose to give him, but pls only use it if desperate. You can get some glycerol suppositories over the counter at the pharmacy, but remember your baby is so small and you don't want already give him medicines. I am sure the problem will get better once he starts eating solids.
2006-09-30 05:24:34 · answer #5 · answered by Mrs Sardinia 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Of course, ask the doctor and have him checked make sure he's ok... other than that...
When my daughter was about that age she had the same problem. A homeopath told me apples and pears have a lot of fiber and can be helpful (the whole fruit, not the juices). In general a consistent diet with good healthy fiber can help. He also said commercial chocalate chip cookies are binding and should be avoided. Even though at the time she had never eaten a chocolate chip cookie, somehow this always stuck in my mind
OMG! I'm so so sorry, I just reread your question after submitting my answer! I thought you said two YEAR old. my apologies!
I'd go with a combo of what two other people said.
No formula and just the breastmilk. And like the one with the breastmilk only answer said, breast fed babies just go less sometimes.
People please! stop giving me bad ratings, i PROMISE next time to finish my coffee before i start answering questions in the morning!
2006-09-30 02:24:26 · answer #6 · answered by leavemealonestalker 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Increase the amount of fluid your baby drinks to help keep her stools soft. If your baby is older than 2 months, start by giving her 1 ounce of prune juice diluted with 1 ounce of water, twice a day. As her constipation improves, you can cut back. Talk with the doctor first if your baby is 2 months old or younger.
• Talk to your baby's doctor about treatment options. Ask about using an over-the-counter stool softener to make bowel movements more comfortable for your baby, but never give your baby a laxative without her doctor's approval. The doctor may also suggest you try a glycerin suppository if your baby is severely constipated. The suppository will stimulate the rectum and help her pass a stool. While using a suppository occasionally is fine, don't do it on a regular basis, since your baby could wind up relying on them to have a bowel movement.
• If your baby is passing such hard, dry stools that she tears the delicate skin near the opening of her anus (you may be able to see these tears, known as anal fissures, or a little blood), you can apply some aloe vera lotion to the area to help it heal. Be sure to mention the tears to your baby's doctor.
2006-09-30 02:22:04 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 3⤋
its funny you should ask i asked this same question on yahoo last week and the answer i got was to give him about a teaspoon of Karo syrup and my friend it worked hes having a much easier time of it . it takes about 24 hour to work and i only give it when he hasnt had a bowel movment for 24 hours anyway doc told me last week some babys dont have a bowel movement for as long as six day and not to be alarmed about it but if your stil worried talk to his doc ok good luck!!by the way my baby is 8 weeks old!!
2006-09-30 02:28:10 · answer #8 · answered by sadeyez 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
has he always been constipated? if he has beware because my daughter who is 4 now was always constipated as a baby, i mean to the point where it looked like her head was going to explode, a year on we found out her anus and her lower bowel were all in the wrong place, and because it went unnoticed for 12 months her bowel was ruined and irrepairable. she is now incontinent and has had several operations to try and make her better, nothing works though, she has just had to get used to it. so take a look at your baby's anus does it look too small or too close to his testes, if it does see your doctor and air your concerns, they kept telling me for 12 months that my baby was constipated and they couldn't have been more wrong, i never trust the doctors any more i trust my own instincts more than anything. i hope i haven't worried you, i just needed to warn you.
good luck xxx K
2006-09-30 02:30:56 · answer #9 · answered by Kelly 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you are mixing the two, chances are that he's not used to formula as the consitency is different.
Stop the evening bottle and give him water from a bottle in between. If you drop a feed you will produce less milk.
2006-09-30 02:24:10 · answer #10 · answered by Scatty 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋