What have you done when your DC is constipated?

[Chylynn]

My DD has been constipated since Saturday- the last time she cleared her intestines was on Friday around Noon. I have left a message for her pediatrician as I am not sure what I can do to help her. I have no idea how long they are going to take to get back to me since this is the first time I have ever called and left a message with the nurse.

I know her belly is bothering her because she keeps screaming and trying to push, but it is not working. DD is just turned 4 months last Tuesday so we have not started any solids. She is formula fed, but I have never had this problem before. Does anyone have any solutions?

[ce_Kathleen]

My DS had some constipation issues too (and he was strictly BF) we were told to give some watered down prune juice. I think we mixed it 50/50 juice to water (or maybe 60% water 40% juice) and he guzzled down all 4 ounces of it (I guess it was a treat for him seeing has he only had mommy milk before that) and we were in the clear by the end of the day if I recall.

My Dr also said you can mix a small amount of Karo syrup in water to eliviate constipation too.

Hope this helps!

[Neen]

I was going to make both of those suggestions also.

The Karyo syrup always worked for my kids. Just be sure it is th light (clear) and not the dark!

[Chylynn]

ce_Kathleen & Neen -Thank you both for responding so fast!! Are both of these remidies good for a 4 month old that has not had anything else besides Breast Milk and Formula?

[Neen]

I remeber using the Karyo syrup method when my daughter was about 2 months old. I mad the sure the water was at least room temp (or what you would warm a bottle up to) so the Karyo would mix through out the bottle. I think I used about a half of tablespoon of Karyo to 4 oz of water.

[ce_Kathleen]

Yup, I used the prune juice when DS was only 4 months and we didn't start solids until almost 6 months.

I think DS got constipated b/c I went on a business trip and DH fed DS some formula mixed in with my frozen milk (he didn't think he had enough frozen to last the whole trip) and since DS had never had formula it kinda plugged up the works.

[Chylynn]

Oh, you girls are the BEST!! Okay, I am heading to the grocery store. Thanks a lot for all of your help!!

[jki]

DD was constipated when she was 7 days old. The ped said to give it 3 days and to wait it out... if that didn't work, they said to use 1/2 of a pediatric suppository.

[Franni]

I second the motion on the Karo syrup. However the doctor had told me to use dark, not light. My DD was the non-pooping kind. She can hold on to her "stuff" for a week without going before she went on solids. Now she goes at least once a day.

We used to put Karo in the bottle with BM or formula. I can't remember the actual proportion, but it was just enough to coat the bottom of a Dr. Brown bottle with the syrup.

I have also used suppositories on DD. There are infant sized ones, but even those I broke in half and only gave her the top half. The supositories might help alleviate the pain quicker. What's odd with the suppositories and DD is that she just needs it to help her push. Because it happens right away.

HTH

[SAMIKE32700]

I also agree with the Karo syrup. I used it when my DS was constapitated. I think we finally found a solution and found the right formula for him. Also the suppositories work really well also. Get the children's kind and break it in half and as soon as it is inserted they usually go within 5 mins.

[christyz1]

I've always used brown sugar! Thats what the doctor told me to use and it works like a charm, plus DD loved that stuff in her milk. use 1/2 teaspoon to every 2oz of milk. I know I gave the suggestion to my sis for her DD and it worked great for her too!!

[lml41981]

My nephew was born with a herniated umbilical cord, so the doctors said it was important that he not strain during a BM. My sister gave him small amounts of Karo with most of his bottles. My mom used Karo with all of us, too...so this seems to be a tried and true method that's been around for years. And it is more natural - if you care about that - than using a suppository (though not as instantaneous, it seems).

[Ohana]

I had always heard that Karo could potentially harbor botulism toxin and shouldn't be given to infants (same as honey). Is this not actually true?

[katnbug]

I see so many suggested small amounts of Karo.. how much is a small amount? I don't want use too much and make DS a poop machine ;) !!

[KKay]

DD doc also recommended pear juice. Apparently it's just as effective as prune juice, but tastes better.

[Franni]

I have heard that, Ohana about the botulism and was really hesitant to give to DD at first. But it has worked for the last 6 months without real issue. The only major issue my ped brought up was that it was additional calories.

there's also a more expensive option called Malt Supex. A bottle goes for about $50 and it's really hard to find.

I would suggest doing a suppository only when you know your baby needs to go and has not gone in days. Karo has not helped in that situation for us. The only "relief" would be suppositories. Karo is more of a maintenance thing like taking metamucil for adults or taking Colace when pregnant.

[dana b]

I had always heard that Karo could potentially harbor botulism toxin and shouldn't be given to infants (same as honey). Is this not actually true?
i think i've heard the same thing.

my dd started getting constipated when she started solids, i gave her flaxseed oil.
this page from askdrsears.com talks about constipation and gives dosage amounts for flaxseed oil http://askdrsears.com/html/8/t081100.asp