Posted by
squiggles
20 yrs ago
I have a 5 mth old baby who has had many feeding problems (colic, reflux), with the latest being that he doesn't actually like the taste of any milk except the lactose free one, Olac. Unfortunately, this gives him constipation and it's quite heartbreaking to watch him going for a poo - he is crying and screaming. I have tried combining this milk with other non lactose milk (at present it's Enfamil), but if there is too much of the this milk (over 40%) then he will refuse to drink it no matter how hungry. My son is not lactose intolerant - he just likes the taste of the milk (he can taste the difference within a nanosecond). He is also on a few solids such as pureed apple, pear, rice cereal etc. and we feed him water which he will drink no problem. I hear prune juice is good for the system - anything else? Anyone else with these problems? Any advice appreciated. Thanks.
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bw
20 yrs ago
When my son was roughly the same age he had constipation and I gave him stewed prunes. It worked very well. Have you tried it yet ? If that doesn't work you could try a suppository. I had bought that to use as a last resort but didn't need to use it as the stewed prunes helped almost immediately.
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thanks - did you buy the del monte pack prunes and then stewed them? not having done that before i need an idiots guide....
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You could also try gently massaging your baby to help soften and breakdown the stool. The area to massage is just below the tummy on the left hand side of your baby, where the thigh meets the groin area.
My daughter also had constipation at about the same age and the massage was a suggestion from her ped. together with prune juice. I also bought suppository but eventually didn't need them.
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If you have some organic prunes, just boil them in water, and double check for seeds (even if they're pitted, sometimes they are wrong) and puree it. At your child's age, you may also need to strain as well. Prunes are amazing for poop!
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My bubs had this problem and the Dr said i could gent stimulate the anus with a cotten bud. Just wet the tip insert it gently and twist. It didn't bother my bubs and the relief on her face after, it was an instant result. This isn'tn't something i wanted to do but she was so distressed. I had also tried the suppositries and the istant i insert them she pooed so i went with the cotton bud after that rather than using medication.
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thanks for all those helpful hints. think i will start with the prune juice and prunes. i don't have much choice but to give him the lactose free milk - he won't drink any other milk!!!
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Papaya is great for constipation, and about the only thing my daughter ate at that age. Now I give her a dried apricot if she hasn't had one and it works wonders. I'm sure they can be boiled and sieved too for a young one like yours.
Oats are good too, if he's eating baby cereal and is ready to move on from the rice, you could try a baby oat cereal.
It's nice to have a few things up your sleeve because if it's the lactose-free milk is causing the problem, you'll probably need to give him one of these "laxatives" every day.
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it definitely is the lactose free milk because when he used to drink the normal formula feed his poo was fine. and sometimes if we've had a successful day in 'conning' him into drinking more normal milk, his poo is fine too.
and the little man isn't even lactose intolerant! he just hates the taste of everyting else! how frustrating is that!
will keep all these option up my sleeve...
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Before I move in with a cotton swab, an even dumber question: how do you know if a baby is constipated? So, baby hasn't poo'ed in 48 hours. Does that mean baby is constipated? Or, must there be corresponding cries and/or lack of appetite/restlessness/fatigue? From reading some posts here, I thought no poo for several days is not uncommon.
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Some babies don't poo every day and 48hrs isn't a big deal and yes you should know as bubs gets quite distressed and kicks and tries to push out the poo also when this happens they might just push put wind each time. My bubs did all this and her wind was very smelly. It's heat breaking to see them go thru this so you should know if is constipation.
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bw
20 yrs ago
yes squiggles - i bought the delmonte prunes and stewed with lots of water , strained and gave him just a few spoonfuls.
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If the stool is soft and sticky like clay or peanut butter, it is generally not considered constipation. Many older babies do not stool every day but if they are well and thriving it is of no consequence. If the stool is hard and dry, daily prunes or prune juice may be of help.
You may also want to try another forumla brand that the baby would prefer for taste, however, most formulas are constipating due to the high iron content.
Well Baby Clinic 2849 1500
Matilda International Hospital
Hong Kong
http://www.matilda.org
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Been there too. What also helped was a lil warm water with honey or sugar. A few drops really helped my lil one going! And it is true, babies can go without poo for days, its the consistency of poo that matters.
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