constipated newborn?

Question

how can i aleiviate constipation in a newborn baby whose diet consists of formula and breast milk?

Answer 1

I had this same problem when my son was born. First, you need to talk to the pediatrician. I know my son's doctor had me give him Gerber apple prune juice-just 2 ounces, if you want, delute half & half with 2 ounces baby water. My son was so extremely constipated that I put him on low iron formula even though the pediatrician said not to. It won't hurt. I couldn't watch my son suffer like he was. I also put kayro syrup in his bottles-the dark kind not the clear kind. this also helps. Hope this helps

Answer 2

Firstly of course you need to be sure your baby IS constipated. Not pooping is not a sign of constipation in babies. While most newborns do stool multiple times a day, some do not. Constipation can only be diagnosed by seeing the hard poop or a doctor's exam of the abdomin. Straining is also no diagnostic of constipation. Some babies strain for no reason.

However if your baby is truly constipated treatment is very important. Pain from constipation can cause babies to hold poop in, making them constipated, and repeating the cycle. This happened to my cousin. And after she started having rectal bleeding she was put on stool softeners (this was around 18 months) but she still wouldn't poop because of all the pain she has associated with it for a long, long time. She was getting constipated at least once a month from the formula and then milk. Last I heard she was still on high doses of stool softener EVERY day and it had been over 6 months. They had to give her so much her poop was basically water because she would hold it otherwise. It was just awful.

Stop giving formula. Breastmilk is a natural laxative and it is virtually impossible for a breastfed baby to become constipated. Formula on the other hand causes many babies to become chronically constipated for many reasons, generally the iron, but low-iron formulas are almost never appropriate as it causes anemia which will impair mental development.

For the constipation you are dealing with right now the safest thing to do is to offer no more than 1/2 oz of water 2-3 times a day. More than that is not a good idea. I also wouldn't recommend that for a baby under 6 weeks as under 6 weeks they aren't as good at regulating their food intake.

Sugar water can also be used and may be more effective, however it can easily cause diarrhea and I believe the rule is under 12 weeks old diarrhea means going to the ER immediately (according to the health nurse anyway). So that is something to keep in mind. Sugar water should only be made with DRY sugars: table sugar, brown sugar, icing sugar.

Honey, Corn (karo) syrup, and maple syrup can all contain botulism. And even if you buy the certified botulism free corn syrup remember once you open it it is exposed to the air. Botulism is found in common household dust, particularly in certain geopgraphic locations. And while a few spores in household dust may not make a baby sick, provide it with a nice breeding ground like corn syrup and you may be in trouble. I don't see why anyone would think it is worth the risk when dry sugar (white or brown) works just as well.

Glycerin suppositories are also generally acknowledged to be safe. I would start with a 1/4 of an infant dose. Split one in half lengthwise then cut in in half. Be sure to get rid of sharp edges.

One mom I know says gripe water gives her son the runs, it certainly doesn't do that to most babies, but it is safe for newborns.

Juice is NOT safe for a baby under 6 months.

Here are some articles that may be of use to you:

Weaning from formula supplements
http://www.kellymom.com/bf/supply/decrease-formula.html

How to Know a Health Professional
is not Supportive of Breastfeeding
http://www.kellymom.com/newman/18MD_unsupportive.html

What should I know about infant formula?
http://www.kellymom.com/nutrition/milk/infant-formula.html

Supplementation of the Breastfed Baby
http://www.massbfc.org/formula/bottle.html

Answer 3

Depending on how old your baby is and how long it has been determines what you should do. Some babies can go days with out a bm and are fine. Talk with your doc to see if there is a bowel problem. A friend of mine had a baby with an under developed colon and her baby was unable to poo. My nephew has problems too and he has to have stool softeners every other week. So the best thing to do is consult your doc to see what kind of pooper you have.

Answer 4

Stop giving the baby formula. That's what is causing the baby to be constipated. I mean if your taking the time to do the right thing and breast feed, why bother with the formula. Formula is disgusting.

Answer 5

I stuck the tip of a thermometer into my son's butt, not even a centimeter. It worked like a charm. It sounds crazy but it was the only thing that worked. I would have done anything, on night my son woke up screaming because his stool was halfway out and he was bleeding. After seeing that I would have done anything for him to not go through that pain again.

Answer 6

They don't poop much in the beginning, mama. They are utilizing almost all of the nutrition and have very little waste. Don't buy into that garbage that they have to go every single day or there is something wrong and for gods sake do not use any medications or preparations to produce a poop. One every other day will suffice.

read this:http://www.babycenter.com/refcap/baby/babyills/babyconstipation/79.html

Answer 7

try glycerin supositories. there is nothing in them that will harm baby. you can get them at any pharmacy. if the formula has a lot of iron in it, that may have something to do with it though i don't know for sure since the baby is also breast fed.

Answer 8

Get your baby some of those infant acidophilus drops as these will work wonders to soften the stools. I also suggest to take acidophilus yourself. Acidophilus will also help prevent colic in your baby too.

Read this for some info on this:
http://familyfun.go.com/parenting/baby/health/feature/dony0800altmd_colic/dony0800altmd_colic3.html

Forgot to say it can also prevent thrush in your baby and you too if you take it.
Here is a link on that:
http://www.naturalfamilyonline.com/go/index.php/258/natural-thrush-remedies/

Very small amounts of cooled boiled camomile tea can be given to your baby inbetween milk feeds for colic and also is a mild laxative.
http://www.plateaupediatrics.com/colicinfo.html

Answer 9

Eliminate the formula.

Answer 10

i had this with my first and i would wipe his bottom with a baby wipe and keep wiping til the poo came out!! not the nicest thing i know but it seemed to work, someone told me to put the tinyest amount of baby soap a little bit into his bum but i didn't try that! each to their own!