What can I do for my 5 mth old baby who I think is constipated?

Question

My baby is on formula milk. I was feeding him s26 but recently changed to heinz nurture because the nurse told me s26 can make them constipated. Since I changed formula milk my baby doesn't seem any better. He'd be lucky to poo every 3 days and he seems to be in pain straining all of the time. He seems to be passing wind a lot aswell and that seems to be bothering him. I've tried a bit of water but he doesn't seem to want to drink much and I've tried something called coloxyl drops that are supposed to soften the poo and relieve constipation but nothing seems to be working. What can I do?

Answer 1

Formula can be very constipating. An Epsom Salt bath can fix that up in no time. Dissolve the salt in a litte hot water then add cooler water until the right temp for baby, 1/4-1/2 a cup in the bath water. I've seen this work so fast that the baby poops right in the bath water sometimes.

I would recommend Goat's Milk instead of formula. It's a LOT easier for kids to digest and it's a healthier alternative in my experience. We used Meyenburg's powdered Goat's Milk from Whole Foods and we would make it full strength and then dillute it with warm water at feeding times (but when they were infants we made it 1/2 strength and then diluted in half again at feeding time).

If you are committed to using formula, you might want to dillute it more for your child. More bottles at 1/2 strength will likely cause less constipation than fewer at full.

Peace!

PS - Prune juice is notoriously good for loosening the bowels and blueberries are high in magnesium - that can help too.

Answer 2

As far as the gas goes, if you are using powdered formula try pre-mixing it. It has worked wonders with my daughter! In the morning I mix her bottles for the day and put them in the fridge, and the same for night. You can make them up to 24 hours ahead of time if they stay refrigerated until use. This gives the bubbles a good chance to settle out of the formula. Also, try the simethicone gas drops (Mylicon or Little Tummies has them). They are not absorbed by the body, just go through the digestive track and break up the bubbles so they are safe to give with every feeding if needed. I was hesitant to use them at first, but after researching them I'm not concerned. Since pre-mixing her formula though I hardly have to use them. If you have a formula that was working, find a store that carries it and stock up. Or order it online. As far as the constipation, I'd talk to your doctor and get their advice. A lot of people think their babies are constipated when they are not. Babies push a lot and may cry when they do it. It could just be gas. And their little bodies are learning which muscles to use still so they are not always very efficient little poopers. It is best to talk to a doctor to find out for sure.

Answer 3

my daughter is almost 4 and she has had constipation probs since infancy. she refuses to eat fruits or veges. i understand all about the pain that u as a mom feel when your child is hurting from this. it makes u want to cry with him/her. anyway i had to get a prescription for my daughter. we tried everything over the counter that u can try for a baby but nothing worked not even suppositories. the prescription we got worked real well. i also found a liquid suppository that worked real well if she was really constipated. u use it like an enema but it is real small like a suppository. it worked quickly. however i hated having to give her those unless absolutely necessary. now she is older and drinks apple juice sometimes (you can give baby apple juice to your baby--it really does help) so the constipation isn't as bad. good luck to u and your baby.

Answer 4

CONSTIPATION IN INFANTS UNDER A YEAR
In addition to the above general tips for preventing and treating constipation at all ages, try these infant-specific tips:
If formula-feeding, experiment with different formulas to find which one is most intestinal-friendly.
Feed baby smaller amounts of formula more frequently, which gives the intestines a better chance to properly digest the formula. An easier rule of thumb is to feed half as much twice as often.
Delay introduction of solid foods, especially more constipating ones, such as rice and bananas. Instead of rice cereal, try barley cereal. Good starter high-fiber foods for constipated infants are pureed pears and prunes.
Ease the passage of stools using glycerin suppositories or liquid glycerin (as described above).
Add one teaspoon of flax oil once a day mixed into baby cereal or baby's bottle.
Watch for about-to-go signs. As soon as your baby begins to grunt, grimace, look bloated, or show signs of straining, quickly insert a glycerin suppository to ease the passage.
The Bath and Bowel Movement Technique
Here is a Sears' family trick that helped us ease the passage of stools in several of our constipated babies. Although it's messy, it works. Immerse your baby in a warm bath so that the water is around chest-high. When your baby is relaxed in the bath, massage baby's abdomen and get ready for the mudslide.

CONSTIPATION AND IRON-FORTIFIED FORMULA
Before rushing to attribute your baby's constipation to the iron in the formula, you may be interested to know that controlled studies performed by the late Dr. Frank Oski, Professor and Chairman of the Department of Pediatrics at John Hopkins Medical School, showed that iron-fortified formulas do not cause constipation any more than formulas without iron.

On the other hand, scientific research and mothers' first-hand observations sometimes clash. Even in our pediatric practice, a mother occasionally tells us she's absolutely certain that iron causes constipation. Yet, your baby does need an iron-fortified formula. Low-iron formulas simply don't provide adequate amounts of iron, resulting in anemia , between the ages of six to twelve months.

If you're certain an iron-fortified formula contributes to constipation, use all the treatments recommended. If baby is still constipated, try using a low- iron formula for two months. Then, once your baby's intestines are more mature and his toleration increases, you can switch back to a fortified formula.

Answer 5

Massage your baby's tummy

Start at the belly button and then massage outwards in circles in a clockwise direction. Some oil or cream on your fingers can also help.

Only continue if your baby enjoys the massage and is comfortable and relaxed.


Move your baby's legs in a cycling motion

Place your baby so he or she is lying on their back. Hold their legs and turn them gently in a quick cycling motion.

This will make the stomach muscles move and, in turn, put gentle pressure on the intestines to make them move.


Give your baby a bath

A warm bath can make your baby relax so the stools are passed more easily. Once your baby has relaxed in the bath, you can also massage their stomach (see above).

When you wash your baby's bottom, apply some cream or petroleum jelly (Vaseline) around the outside of the anus.


Don't use a thermometer to stimulate movement

Don't put a thermometer or anything else inside your baby's anus to stimulate bowel movement, because this may cause damage.

Answer 6

Oh poor lil guy!! my son had this same problem. I gave him some warm water with a lil bit of dark brown sugar in it. You'll have to adjust the amount of sugar until you can get him to drink about 4 ounces of it. After the water give him a warm bath. took about an hour hour or so.. Also you may want to check the iron levels on the formula you are using.. Iron can cause constipation.. it is safe to give babies extra water.. and do not give him apple juice... take care

Answer 7

The best thing for you to do is take the baby to the doctor, just to make sure there is nothing seriously wrong with his digestive track. If the doctor finds that its just moving slowly he/she may recommend an ounce or two of prune juice or apple juice; increasing his veggie and fruit intake (if you are giving him any baby food); or a little bran in his morning cereal. Hope this helps alittle and hope your baby feels better soon!!

Answer 8

Even if your baby doesn't go for three days, if his bowels are still some what soft, he isn't constipated. This is what my doctor has told me. Gage constipation by consistency, not how often. Also, think how hard it would be to poo laying on your back!! you would turn red and strain too!!

Answer 9

PLEASE do NOT give your baby water. Despite possibly needing more fluid, you should never take away calories from a baby who is not on solid food. To give them some fruit juice to get them to go is a lot different than giving them water instead of formula! Babies need a certain number of calories per day. If you give them water, you are 1)filling them up on water 2)decreasing their caloric intake which they need to grow.

As far as the constipation, suppositories should not be used unless you are instructed by your doctor. Their little bowels are fragile and nothing should be inserted in them unless you are instructed! Please call your doctor and ask them for guidance. Do not listen to untrained people on this forum please!

Answer 10

You can try giving the child more water to drink, this can help soften stool and make it easier for babys intestines to move stool through colon. But if child is no moving his bowels everyday I would take him to pediatrician just to be on safe side.