I have a 6wk old baby that I think is constipated.?

Question

She strains really hard to have a bowel movement & when she does the stool is thick like play-dough. She will have 1/day sometimes 2. But each time she cries & really has to push. My pediatrician doesn't seem to concerned but I don't' think this is normal. I've tried the karo syrup (1tsp in 4oz of formula) and it doesn't seem to be working. I pump her legs, massage the belly, just about everything I can think of to try & help her. The formula I'm giving her is Enfamil Prosoblee. I'm afraid if this continues she is going to have more problems later to come. She has been like this since we brought her home from the hospital. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

This is a soy formula. The pediatrician mentioned it at my daughter's 2 week well baby. I should also mention that we are stationed overseas so I can't get a second opionon at the moment :(

Answer 1

is that a soy formula?

try apple or white grape juice (Gerber baby juices) deluded w/warm water.
about 2 ounces warm water, 1 ounce juice. try a bottle of that in the morning then later in the evening. it will probably take 12 to 24 hours to help soften the stool.
remember that YOU are this child mother, and sometimes we have to play tough w/docs to get them to understand we want something done.
if your doc is not helping...find another one.
the doc works for YOU not the other way around.

EDITED:
ohh...military wife huh? same here. yeah it's a pain in the @ss to get those military docs to take you seriously.
all i can say is that the juice might help, and if your daughter is still in a lot of pain and having trouble i would tell the PA or Doc at the Base Clinic that you want something done immediately. you have to be firm w/those military docs. they really do think highly of themselves...sometimes they need a slap in the face.

also, her body is just not able to break down the protein in the soy formula very well...it will take a while for her system to get into a rhythm. why is she on soy formula? allergies or just because doc says?
why not try a milk based formula instead (if no allergies), it's better for her anyways. new studies show that soy is not good for babies growth. the Iron in the formula also can cause constipation...so the juice can help break it down a bit.

Answer 2

Baby bowel movements shouldn't be that thick consistantly.

I don't want to sound like I am treating you like an idiot, but are you *sure* you are mixing the formula properly? Just a guess.

Karo syrup is old advice, there is new evidence that it can cause botulism. Is her poop still tarry and dark green? That would be a really bad sign. The meconium should be long gone.

I don't want to sound like a raving lactavist, but really it isn't too late to breastfeed and breastfed babies almost never get constipated, breastmilk is a laxative. Also then you wouldn't have to worry about water contamination (not knowing where you are obviously) http://www.kellymom.com/bf/supply/relactation.html

Honestly I know it would cost money to see a local doctor (depending where you are this may not be possible of even advisable) but it may be worth it. I wouldn't take not a problem as an answer.

Answer 3

I'm guessing you are from America? I live in the UK and when my children were small i would put four scoops of formula to five ounces of boiled water, this really helped. New borns take a while to settle into a routine with feeds and get constipated often but this seemed to work. Only do this for a couple of feeds though and if it continues, go and see your Doctor. Good lick and enjoy you're new bundle of fun!

Answer 4

I have a 2.5 month old and i have the same issues but when i callled the nurse told menot to worry that is normal unsless they dont go for 5 days well at his 2 month shots i told the dr i realize that it is normal to not go everyday but he is fussy and strains real bad and does nothing then when he fiannly does pass some it is not hard but not soft either but he is such a happy baby she said that i would know so she told me to give him 1ozjuice with 1 oz water not sure if your little one is to small or not. I would talk to your dr not the nurse again if you dont get any resolution i would consider seeing another ped. one other question why ar eyou feeding the prosobee formula? Good luck

Answer 5

It relies upon on the position you stay and who's watching the toddler. i'm in PA and the position I artwork our toddler room is $1015/month. even as i became a Nanny many years in the past I were given $500/wk. it truly is largely 10 an hour. So someplace between 250 and 500.

Answer 6

she may have a problem with the prosobee, my son did. did you try dark orlight kayro, dark is supposed to work better. my son had the same problem so and we had to get him a persription medicine to help him go. but he wasnt going everyday. she should be ok as long as its once a day, but if there is a history with anykind of stomach problems like that with you or the babys father, you might want to bring it up at the next visit because it may be heriditary

Answer 7

ask your doctor if it's ok to put 1 oz of juce (apple,grape, or prune) in four oz of h20 or formula. those three kinds of juice can be used as a stool softener. if the doc says it's ok, make sure u don't use too much.....too much acidity can bother baby's sensitive stomach and you will have a HUGE mess on your hands!!!!

Answer 8

If your feeding your baby formula s/he is going to get constipated.
It's not natural enough even though it may be soy.

Answer 9

make sure that she has alot of fluids(perdi light)is really good 4 her it make her movements easlier,also apple juice but mix the applejuice with water cuz of the sugar.but try ped-light and it's safe 4 any age,remember her body is developing also that she's building her organs up to handle the diet change,that's diffcult 4 any of us.

Answer 10

Well maybe that is serious , you might want to take her to the doc., but thats your choice!!!Hope this helps.....