does anyone know what to do about constipation?

Question

my baby boy is 2 months old and screams when going a poo he wont drink water and is formula fed what can i do

Answer 1

My daughter had the same problem when she was your sons age,i took her to see the health visitor who said to try apple juice in water in the babys bottle.Orange juice is to strong but apple juice works just aswel so give that a go,something like 1 part apple juice and 2 parts water.He might love the taste and drink it all up and the problems solved! good luck huni!

Answer 2

CHANGE THE FORMULA IMMEDIATELY! I breastfed my boy for the first few months and then combined breast milk and formula, and then just formula. He was happy with Cow & Gate and even happier with Aptamil. Then I thought we'd try Hipp Organic - and gave him such a constipation, I was crying my eyes out! If you look at my profile, the first even question I posted was to do with Hipp Organic, just have a look at the answers I've had. You might be using a different formula, but in any case, change whatever you're using. Give him fruit juice to ease constipation. Don't worry, it won't do him any harm, just use baby juice - I know it says 4 month onwards, but it won't harm him at all. He will probably pull faces at first because it is a new taste, so add cooled boiled water to dilute, but be persistent because he needs to get this out of his system. I really feel for you, it is terrifying watching your baby suffer (we even had to pick the poo with an earbud out to ease the release - I know it sounds gross, but sometimes you've got to do what you have to do.)
By the way, fruit juice (baby juice in particular) does NOT constipate, contrary to what some may think.

Answer 3

You need to see your GP, 2months old is a little young to be getting constipation as all he is eating is his formula. My daughter is 2 & has had it quite a bit over the last 6 months & that's because she's such a fussy eater & will only eat a certain range of food! He definately needs to be checked out just to be sure his colon is working properly!

Also it's not unusual for babies & young children to go about a week without passing stools, as long as there is no temperature it's perfectly normal.

Just to add, don't follow adrians advice, bananas make constipation worse & considering he is only 2 months old he shouldn't be having solids anyway! Plonker!!!

Answer 4

I found that a tiny bit of sugar in cool boiled water does the trick or go for some baby massage classes....these really help as they teach you how to massage the area where the colon is and when baby trying for a poo you can get the oil out and try to help him out a little...this sounds gross but also when you change his nappy use cream like sudacrem and push a little up his bum...this helps too

Answer 5

Have you tried thinning the formula with a little boiled water?
At that age it would be wiser to seek advice from a professional. Most of the remedies suggested in this column are unsuitable for such a young baby.

Answer 6

My baby's doctor says that you can put a little prune juice in the baby bottle along with some formula my baby hasn't been constipated since I asked her so I ha vent tried it but she said that kayro syrup wasn't good for the baby it can cause botulism plus the baby doesn't need all that sugar

Answer 7

i would contact the health visitor or doctor. it may be that he is contipated because the formula is not quite right. it is very important that feeds are made according to the manufacturers instructions. if not it can cause discomfort and constipation. in the meantime try giving water with a spoon if he wont take it from the bottle

Answer 8

I had the exact same problem with my son... His doctor told us to try a tsp. of Karo syrup (the white kind) or an ounce of prune juice mixed with every bottle until he had a bowel movement.. While that did help him pass stools, the problem kept coming back, and eventually the doctor changed his formula thinking maybe he was lactose intolerant and it helped.Try the home remedies first, and if they dont work, it could be another underlying problem.

Answer 9

Doctor's best. May have to boil up some prunes in some water and add it to his formula - although some detect this and then refuse.
Otherwise, he could take it like he would medicine, through a syringe. If you mix it with something a little sweeter (some apple juice), he may be more likely to take it.
Good luck, see a doctor, but don't worry, it'll pass.

Answer 10

I was advised by the health visitor that "ready made" formula contains something in it that acts as a laxative, and is great when they have slight constipation.

If this does not work go to the GP.

Good luck.