My baby is regulary constipated?

Question

Anyone know of any hints or tips to relieve this? He is only 3 weeks old and makes these straining noises and only fills a couple of nappies a day. HELP!!!!

Answer 1

We had the same problem with my son when he was a baby. We eventually got a fig liquid from Boots (check the age suitability, though) which solved his problem. You could also try making sure he has lots of cooled boiled water between feeds, water tends to make things softer if you know what I mean. Good Luck

Answer 2

Our 4 month old recently had this problem. Wouldn't even have one poo in 3-4 days. If your child is going once per day then you're fine.

When it started to stretch out for us (4 days between each poo), we talked to our pediatrician who said that we could try using a rectal thermometer and **gently** move it around inside the anus to try and get things moving. REMEMBER the thermometer should never be pushed in past the metal tip and you should NEVER use a glass thermometer on the child. Only use a thermometer especially for rectal use.

My wife and I had to do this twice, both times it worked like a charm and neither time did it seem to cause our daughter any discomfort. She's now going just about every day.

Another possibility is the use of a suppository laxitive, but all the ones I saw were not recommended for children under 2 years old and you should never use this without consent from your childs doctor.

Still, you might want to call your pediatrician before taking any advice here!

Answer 3

We have exactly the same problem just now, our son is 11 weeks old and has been really constipated for 6 weeks, been to the doctor who gave him Lactulose and Glycerol sepositories the Glycerol does work but he still cant go himself, we are going to the hospital tomorrow to get him checked out. Tried changing his formula milk and was told to give him cooled boiled water with a little bit of brown sugar dissolved in it, neither has helped in his case. If your son is going a couple of times a day he is doing fine, they do make some very strange noises and sometimes you can be a bit worried about the size of the explosion in the nappy you are going to find!
The best thing to do if you are worried is to speak to your health visitor or doctor

Answer 4

Is he breastfed or bottlefed? If he's breastfed, they're never actually considered constipated because they're affected by what you eat.
But, anyway. If he's straining and turning red and only passes a couple of pebble-like stools, if any at all - he's truly constipated. If he's giving a stool or two a day, that's not constipation.

The quick fix is to try taking his temperature rectally. This should stimulate him to go.

Otherwise, try half an ounce of juice (prune, pear, apple, grape, or cherry - citrus juice does not help at all) once a day. You can go to twice a day if that doesn't work. This could take a few days to work.

If neither of these work, see his doctor to rule out an obstruction.

Answer 5

I'm sure a young baby only has to do 2-3 dirty nappies a day, but if you feel he is constipated check with you chemist and try gripe water or just try rubbing his tummy when he's pushing. Hope you resolve this for the poor we mite

Answer 6

omg i can't believe some of the answers on here. Do not attempt to squirt anything into your baby's rectum. Do not give any kind of laxative syrups, He is too young for juice. Cool boiled water in between feeds is the only thing you can give him. Warm baths if he is uncomfortable and baby massage taught by a professional. don't worry too much bottle fed babies produce quite firm stools which can take some effort to move. If he is going a couple times a day he is not constipated. relax and enjoy him.

Answer 7

Hi, If I were u my dear I would see ur doctor or nurse, as if ur not careful u could go from ur baby being constipated to having the runs which at his age is not a good idea as he could end p dehydrated.

Think how u would feel if u were suffering what ur baby is, I dont think u would waste t6ime going to ur gp or taking laxitives, but i wouldnt give a baby anything untill i check with doctors surgery.

Good luck.

Answer 8

try rubbing on his belly when hes making a stinky or you when you are playing with him there is a massage a therapist thought me make a half circle from the right side going up to his rib cage and then down the other side (thats the way your bowels move it just helps them along) make sure not to go the other way or it can make the constipation worse. Hope this helps when he gets older you can add a tsp of corn syrup to his bottle if he doesn't get better soon I would recommend taking him to the dr it could be his formula.

Answer 9

My daughter was the same at that age. If you are using formula milk, it might be worth either changing brands, or making the milk slightly diluted (maybe one less scoop per batch) to see if this helps. Whether breast or bottle fed, you could try offering water (cooled boiled water, not mineral water) with a few drops of fresh squeezed orange juice in it.
Warm baths can help, and also baby massage, try looking for a course in your area.
If it carries on for much longer, you should check with midwife/health visitor.

Answer 10

My daughter is 4 months old and after she was born she had the same problem and her dr told me that i could dilate her rectum she said that is the most natural way to help them go
all yiu do is get some vasline and put it on the end if a themoter and insert it about a inch for like one minute and it should help cuz the visline makes it easier to slide out but straining is normal for a baby also water is good for the baby to. and when he is like 3months you can give him baby prune/apple juice its like 50 cent a bottle good luck with everything