Infant Constipation--advice

[decogrl]

My 5 week old has not had a BM for going on 3 days.  I was told it is common for infants who are exclusively breast fed but not for those who are supplemented with forumla like mine.

Was told to insert a lubricated thermometer in her rectum?  Has anyone had experience with this?  I am just nervous about doing it.  She is passing quite a bit of gas, and does not seem to be in any pain.  I just was wondering are there other options besides what the Pediatrition told me.

[lhfoo]

Where I come from we are told to add a little brown sugar to the formula. It does work.

[pmom]

Hello,
My DD use to have the same problem when she was smaller, she was only formula fed. There are suppositories you can buy, I get them at Wal-Mart. I do have another idea and it it what I use when she is constipated and this will sound very gross but it works and is perfectly harmless. The little nose suckers, the blue things they give you at the hospital that they clean the mucous out of the babies noses, I have 2 of those, I bought an extra. Ok this is what I do, I put one in water and squeeze it, so you get some water in it, then I put soem vaseline on the skinny end then I insert it into her rectum and squezze the water into her rectum. I know I know it sounds gross but it works like a charm every time. She doesn't cry or even act like she feels it. I of course keep my 2 syringes seperated, I keep that one in the bathroom and the other one I use on her nose in the diaper bag. I hope you can find something that works but that it is my idea and it does work and it also is harmless cause all you are using basically is the water.
Tiffany

[jd1419]

When I switched to formula my little guy also got constipated.  The peditrician told me to use infant stool softners-that youinsert into the rectum--the hardest part is keeping them in long enough for them to work.  Also dark caro syrup added to every bottle--helps them alot.  Once I was able to start on food the problem corrected itself--but until then he would go only every three or four days if I didn't do this.  I had to add it to every bottle--If I missed just one bootle without syrup it would start the process over again.  You just put a tablespoon in the formula if you are on six ounces or more.  Hope this helps-my baby never was miserable just would get a hard stomach.

[hawki]

My friend's baby is only formula fed and he has the same problem.  They finally started giving him prune juice.  I think the dr told them to do this because he had gone so long without a bm and was really struggling.  Hope you find a solution!

[stephd]

Give her a small amount of pear juice.  I have also heard that a thermometer will make them poop but it never helped my DS tho!  You could try it tho.  But I know the pear jiuce works....dont give too much tho beacuse it could cause a real big mess.

[Momoftwogirls]

My breast fed babies were pooping machines - so I'm not sure what to do for a baby that little. I'd call the Dr. before giving her any sugars or juices - not sure how old she should be before you try that. The thermometer thing would make me nervous too - call the Dr. and ask a nurse or the pediatrician. good luck!

[MELISSAV2943]

I had this problem with my dd too.
My doc also recommended the thermometer. I did not like this idea. My  mother told me to put a teaspoon of Kayro Syrup the dark Kayro in her bottle. This work for me evertime !

[decogrl]

the water in the nasal aspirator worked in 1 minute!

Thanks