my baby is 5wks and is constipated and I have karo syrup. How often do I suppose to give it to him?

Question

Do I give every feeding or just once?

Answer 1

Don't!

Karo syrup is not good for babies.

First of all, how do you know he's constipated? It's normal for young infants, especially breastfed infants, to go up to a week or so without pooping. It's also normal for babies to grunt and strain and go all red in the face and even cry when they poop. Or to pull their knees up to their chests.

If you're REALLY concerned that your baby is constipated, first of all, contact your child's pediatrician and let him/her know.

Likely, they'll tell you to take your child's rectal temperature. The gentle stimulation caused by the thermometer's insertion might be all the "help" your baby needs.

But don't give a child so young Karo syrup, apple juice, prune juice, or any of the other crazy home remedies people are quick to suggest on Yahoo! Answers.

Seriously.

First make sure you really have a problem (which is highly unlikely, actually), and then work with your doctor to find an age-appropriate solution.

Answer 2

jsut once. Try plain water first.

5 week olds dont have regular bowel movements. Especially if he's breast fed, he might only poop once every 5 days or better. Babies cry when they poop. They strain and turn colors and everything. The only way to know that your child is really constipated is if he CANT pass anything.

You dont want to waste a feeding, they need all the nutrients they can get. syrup and juices arent good for newborns. Their little systems cant handle it, and often you cause more harm than good, you end up with a constipated baby who ALSO now has colic from the acidity of the juice and syrup.

if he's been constipated more than 4 days, call the doctor. Chances are he needs a formula with low or no iron.

Answer 3

Yarro Pilz's concerns probably lie in the fact that most people do not administer a "juice" solution properly. I have put Gerber apple prune juice in the baby's bottle, but NEVER give baby straight juice as their digestive tract is not developed enough to handle the acidity. Put an ounce in the bottle with formula or breast milk ONCE A DAY (this is all they need). This helped with my 2nd baby. I agree with Yarro that you should not give the baby Karo syrup. Good luck.

Answer 4

If you are formula feeding try lighting up the formula for one bottle. For instance, if you usually put three and half Scups in then only put three. It might be the iron that is causing your baby to be constipated. You may talk to your doctor about switching to a low iron formula.

Answer 5

well if you have tried the karo and no results why not try a lil prune juice, make sure you delete it enough beings your baby is so young

Answer 6

when my baby was constipated when he was that young, i put a little syrup in each of his bottles until it worked, and if you are putting cereal in his bottles, cut back on some of that, until it goes away.

Answer 7

First of all, Never give any medicine to your baby, without consulting with your baby's pediatrician. Especially at his age.