help on constipated 6week old baby?

Question

does any one know of any remedies or things that would help 6 week old baby
weve tried sugar and water. and contacted a doctor but its not working. im hoping for old wives tales. baby is being breast fed

Answer 1

Despite the "thumbs down"(??) I agree with "sillygirl". I called my doctor and told him my daughter at 6 weeks was constipated too. He said that ALL breastfed babies struggle and cry a little when they are about to poop. It's because they have immature digestive systems. It's not actually hurting him and my doctor said to absolutly NOT give her anything. It is almost unheard of for a breastfed baby to be constipated. Now a week later (7 weeks old) she is not struggling as hard but the bms are less frequent...my doctor said all this is normal and again told me not to give her anything but breastmilk. A lot of doctors now advise against giving a breastfed baby water or sugar water. It can affect their electrolytes and it's best just to keep on breastfeeding and know that this too will pass...

Answer 2

What 'silly girl' said about some babys not going as often as
others & about the texture of the poop, was right on. I would NOT
recommend giving a 6wk old any kind of juice! I used Karo syrup
ONLY when my kids were at least a year old. I've also heard that
a little warm soapy water in their rectum is gentle, BUT only use ivory. I'ts the most gentle. I'm no expert, but I've gone through this and I've relied on only what was the most natural & gentle way. You don't want to hurt baby's tummy. Also, is he/she acting like he/she is in any discomfurt? If not, he/she is prob. ok, otherwise, I would suggest asking your pediatrician.

Answer 3

Our baby was very constipated and we used Karo syrup and water. Just a tespoon full. Also you may want to ask your doctor first, but maybe a little Castor oil. Also it is not normal for a baby to only poop once a week. I breast fed all four of my children, and not pooping is a sign that the baby is not getting enough milk. You may need to supplement with a soy based formula. Anything with iron like Enfamil with iron, will lead to more constipation. Another thing, my first son was serverly constipated, and I gave him a warm water enema. Just use some litley soapy water, and use a small nasal bulb and fill it with the soapy warm water. Then gently insert it into the babies anas. Gently sqeeze the bulb to release the water. The baby should shoot out some marble like feces. This should give the baby fast relief.

Hope this helps.
Patti

Answer 4

I wouldn't give your baby strong juices like prune juice. A baby that young is not ready for such. When my child was a baby my pediatrition said LIGHT Karo syrup ( a small amt. mixed w/formula/ breastmilk/ water) Do NOT use dark Karo or honey, these can cause botulism in an infant! If syrup doesn't work, the suppositories for infants can be used (as mentioned in previous answers). As mentioned, it would be o.k. to 1/2 them. Once the baby gets older juices would be alright, but @ 6 weeks, this could cause gastric upset, pain and diarrhea.

Answer 5

Try 1 1/2 oz of apple prune juice diluted w/ 2- 2/12oz sterilized water. Worked like a charm for my little princess!

Answer 6

Is your baby in pain? If not he is probably o.k. My son would go three to four days without having a b.m. He would have a couple and then would go another three to four days. He would be pretty uncomfortable right before but he always went. My doctor said that breastfed babies can sometimes go a week.

Answer 7

What leads you to believe that the baby is constipated?

Generally breastfed babies don't get constipated.

When the baby does have a bowel movement is it hard?

If it is still soft (yellow and curdy and runny) like normal breastfed baby stool...then he IS NOT CONSTIPATED. Even if he hasn't crapped in a week.

My son is breastfed and he only goes once a week...and that's totally normal.

Everyone is different.

He should be soiling at least 6 to 10 wet pee diapers a day, but its totally normal for the pooping to be totally random.

Every day or once a week...the poo diapers don't really matter.

Please don't go giving him crazy stuff to "Cure" something that may not even be a problem.

Answer 8

If you heated the milk or gave the baby warm water this sometimes helps the baby to have a bowel movement. Otherwise, my son, who was very constipated had to be prompted by using a rectal thermometer almost like a suppository. It contracted the muscles which were weak and helped him to go. If it continues you should definitely speak to your Dr. and if he is not giving you any answers I'd seriously consider another pediatrician.

Answer 9

Oh my goodness 6 weeks poor little one. Have you tried watered down prune juice? a warm bath? Try massaging the babies tummy. I hope something helps for you. Good luck

Answer 10

Corn syrup. You tried sugar water,but that almost never works. This is what I did. You pump your breastmilk into a 4oz. bottle and add half a teaspoon of corn syrup. It works. Make sure it is well mixed.

If you don't want your baby consuming anymore sugar that rub the baby's belly in a counterclock-wise motion. That is the direction of digestion it has to be a counterclock-wise motion or you will make it worse.