Has anyone tried Karo syrup for constipation with your baby?

Question

I have a 3 month old daughter who has not had a bowel movement since early tuesday morning. I called her doctors office to ask how long I should let her go etc. They suggested using Karo syrup mixed with water. Has anyone else done this to ease their babys constipation? If so did it work? How long did it take?

Answer 1

i tried it with my 2 week old. i'm breastfeeding and she han't had a bowl movement for 1 week which is kinda normal for a breadtfed baby. i gave her 1 tsp with 3 oz of my milk twice and she pooped the next day. be prepared it'll be A LOT!!!

Answer 2

yes I have done it with all the babies I have been around including my own. It varies from each child could be an hour but if it is more than three give a little more. If it is formula baby and is constipated often put a little in the bottle once every other day until she regulates out that is my family has always done it they are ninny babies and won't take a water bottle just feed them a little out of a dropper. I always informed my pediatrician and he always said it was the safest naturalist way to produce a bowel movement also a warm bath sometimes helps after the karo.

Answer 3

My son had the same problem and we had all kinds of suggestions from family - Karo syrup, mineral oil, sugar. My Doctor recommended using a half of a glycerin suppository instead. This usually works within the hour, I know it did with my son. If that doesn't work, then the Doctor said to go ahead and try the old wives tales, but to mix them with water so that the baby does not associate milk with anything else. All the remedies work quickly and be prepared for a LOT OF POOP!

Answer 4

This question actually came up at a forum that I visit, and someone said that Karo syrup was basically pure sugar, so should be avoided if it can be helped. She also said that if your formula is high in iron, you should switch to a low-iron formula, as that can constipate baby, and babies don't need that amount of iron anyway.

If this doesn't work, and you have to give your baby something, really water down prune juice would be better than Karo.

Answer 5

Yes
I used it with my children.
Make sure that you use dark Karo syrup I mixed it in with the formula. Only put it in a couple of bottles and wait until the next day before giving her any more. If her bowels don't move by them give her some more. It usually doesn't take very long before if works. If you give her to much she will have diarrhea so be careful how much you give her.

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Answer 6

I have heard that Karo works well. I also heard (and don't know if it is true) that you should use the dark karo not the light karo, as the light karo will have the reverse effect. My baby did well with a little bit of prune juice every day mixed in her bottle. But we went through some hard times before I begin this, poor thing.

Answer 7

Yes, my doc told me to do the karo syrup thing. But I did a teaspoon in one of his formula bottles each day instead of water. Just shake it up real good first. I think it helped. Also, I put him on soy til he was closer to a year then went to regular milk when he was 1. unfortunately my son is still constipated all the time & he's going on 9. he'll go days sometimes w/out going & when he does, good golly it's a lot! Good luck :o)

Answer 8

My son has had constipation problems since he was an infant. And Karo syrup always did the trick, within a day.
I never mixed it with water, I did one table spoon with 2 oz of formula.

Answer 9

I thought KAro syrup was a BIG NO NO! Thats what my pediatrician had said. Anyways this is what worked for me. Gently place a rectal thermometer up there. Just the tip, wiggle a little bit. Thats what my Dr. said, worked right away. It wasnt as bad as I thought either. It just stimulates the bowel. Not to use often tho, you dont want them dependent on stimulation. Works great!

Answer 10

My sil has to use Karo syrup (white not dark) for her son, he is two months and is on soy formula. Her doc told her to use 1/4 tsp. for every 2 oz. and to warm it in the microwave so that it mixes with the contents of the bottle easier. She does it two times a day, (first bottle of the morning and the last one of the night) other wise her son doesn't have BMs at all. He usually goes within an hour on having his "sweet bottle".

Answer 11

No but since is a new born, please try blending prunes with the syrup and baby formula. You should have results right away. If the problem persist, you need to take your baby immediately to a near by hospital. Don't let a 'phone suggestion' from someone waste any time that can make a difference between pain and relief for your lovely child.

If your doctor doesn't pay much attention to your child's needs, then look for another one that DOES care for his/hers patients.

My best to you .

And alwyas have prunes at home for your new baby. They work like a charm.