baby constipation

Hey everyone! I hope you all had a great thanksgiving. We went to Raleigh (my moms house) and it was real nice. The problem is, on Wednesday, i didnt breastfeed at all, since I was busy preparing us for the trip, so I gave her emfamil (which is what i use to supplement when i dont create enough breastmilk). Ever since, I think she has only pooped three times! The poor thing is miserable. I gave her some gas drops this morning to help her out. Do you have any suggestions? I will call the doc tomorrow, but if you have any ideas until then....?

[Still_AndiJ]

It is quite rare for an infant to be constipated, even with formula. Keep nursing and that will keep baby hydrated and get things moving. Remember, if your supply is low, nursing more frequently will help, supplementing only makes it worse.

Missing entire days of nursing can be detrimental to your supply as well, trust me, people will understand if you need to take a "break" to nurse.

Andrea

[shari13]

Thank you andrea
I called the "on call" doc and she said to give her baby fruit juice, but to cut it with water and to go to a pharmacy and get some pedriatic suppository and insert it when she is grunting. Tonight I am going to give her a warm bath, I hope that will help soothe her too. Poor little thing!

[Still_AndiJ]

Is she actually passing hard, dry stools? If not, if her stools are still soft, I wouldn't be so agressive. Constipation has less to do with frequency, but more to do with how it appears.

Babies tend to strain more because they do not have gravity helping them along and they haven't learned how to coordinate their bowels yet.

How old is your baby?

Andrea

[sm8]

Since you are only supplementing maybe you could try nestle good start.  They have a magazine that comes out monthly and in it is coupon's that are really great.  If I remember right it is like one or two free cans.  the web adress to sign up is:

http://www.verybestbaby.com/

[shari13]

sorry, i havent had the opportunity to get on line till now.
She wasnt having any bowel movements at all, but she was trying very hard to have one. I gave her the juice/water combo today and it worked almost instantly. I am so glad, because I really didnt want to use the suppository. I will definetly keep the syrup idea as well.
andrea, she is 5 weeks old.

thank you again for your advise!

shari

[momttc]

I put 1oz of water in a bottle with a little karo syrup, works like a charm!!  I had the same problem with my son due to the formula, if it continues you may try adding a touch of water to the formula, some babies just can't digest it as well.  Make sure you use distilled water, and not much at all.  let the baby drink 1/2 oz with the syrup and wait 30minutes if nothing then give the rest.  If still nothing (which i doubt) give 1 oz with syrup all at once.

good luck, momttc

[shari13]

That is a nice site, thank you. I just signed up!

[Still_AndiJ]

I will say that you should never do anything, home remedy or anything else without consulting a pedi first. Many pedi's agree that juice is not to be given before 6 months, and even then it needs to be diluted at least 50%. Also, many do not want water given before a few months of age as it doesn't take much to throw off a babies delicate electrolyte imbalance.

Make sure if you do supplement with formula, that you make it exactly as directed, do not use too much formula. That is a common cause for constipation in infants, other than that it is quite rare to see that in an infant.

Andrea