How do I......?

Question

help constipation in a 4 month old? he hasn't had a bowel movement in 3 days. he keeps passing gas, but nothing else. I gave him a little bit of water but so far it doesn't see to have helped. i haven't given him an solid food or anything. i'm still breastfeeding, so it's not caused by a change in diet.
Is there anything that you know of that could help?

Answer 1

Some babies will go up to five days without a bowel movement, that's normal. But any longer than that and you should consult a pediatrician. Apple juice works wonders, I've been told they can have one ounce for every month old. So four months, four ounces.
You can try a baking soda bath, putting the babies knees up to her tummy a few times and hold for a few seconds. Massage the tummy under babies belly button. But I've gotten the best results with apple juice. You could give the baby two ounces and then a few hours later try giving the baby 2 more ounces.

Answer 2

Constipation isn't the absence of a bowel movement. Instead, constipation is when the poopie is small, round and hard. It is normal for breastfed babies to go a few days without a b.m. You can try massaging his tummy and moving his legs in a "bicycle" movement when he's passing gas. If his poopie comes out like hard, little pellets(sorry, that's so gross) then you need to call the pediatrician for ideas....he could prescribe a suppository. Oh, and the rectal thermometer suggestion above also helps, that was a suggestion from my doctors nurse. Just be gentle, obviously! good luck!

Answer 3

Give him a little bit of Juice. Mix it half and half with water. About 2-3 oz. This should help.
Also, I know this sounds bad, but it works. Put Vaseline on a q-tip and gently massage the anus with it. Barely insert it. This work every time! It stimulates the muscles in that area, causing a bowel movement.
If he goes more than 4 days you need to contact your pediatrician.

Answer 4

If your child is solely breastfed it is not that unusual for the child to only have a bowel movement once every 3-4 days. As long as he doesn't seem uncomfortable I would not worry. If he does seem uncomfortable you really should discuss this with his doctor as it could be a sign of something more serious (my brother, my father, and my husband all suffered from varying degrees of colon problems as children). Trust me, when in doubt call the doctor. Thats what we pay them for.

Answer 5

This is what my mom told me, it's not pleasant but it works for sure... Use a rectal thermometer with vaseline- it must somehow stimulate the bowels. Just using it like you were actually taking the temp. does the trick. Good luck.

Answer 6

our dr gave us tiny baby suppositories when our daughter was about the same age and hadn't passed anything in days. worked within 5 minutes

Answer 7

I wouldnt suggest doing the thermometer thing that someone suggested above because if you dont know what you are doing you could tear your baby inside. So just call your pediatrition and see what they suggest.

Answer 8

give him a suppository