Pooping Issues...

Updated on October 17, 2007
K.S. asks from Cocoa, FL
33 answers

ok, so kind of silly but... i have six month old twins who i just switched to all formula/no breastmilk. unfortunately, one of them is now constipated and it pains me to here his cries and grunts to only have one little pellet (hard at that) come out. any suggestions on dietary stuff i can give him? he will not take the prune juice (and i do not blame him, yuck!)

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C.S.

answers from Orlando on

I am the mother of 2 year old boy/girl twins and I went through the same thing. I also had this problem with my 6 year old son. My doctor said to put a teaspoon of dark karo syrup in a few of their bottles throughout the day. It is sweet, so the taste won't bother them. I think it is either with the syrups or in the baking aisle. It works like a charm.

good luck

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J.H.

answers from Lakeland on

Try the baby food prunes. They don't taste as bad. Or Apple Juice. My little boy had constipation problems for several months and that worked the best besides supositories. Or you can always try a teaspoon of Karo syrup in his bottle. Good Luck

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C.M.

answers from Melbourne on

My son had this issue in the past and I found that the Welch's grape juice with fiber worked great or him! Do not water it down, just give it to him straight. They ahve it at publix.
I hope it helps.
C.

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C.G.

answers from Orlando on

Lucky I work with good doctors and my daughter was having a poopy issue also at the beginning with the formula that she was sented home with from the hospital. she didnt poop for several days and I started to worry b/c she was very unhappy and I didnt know what to do. So they suggest "KAYO dark corn SYRUP", you can get that in your local food store. they use this for their 2 sons when they have "poopy" problems. I tried it for my daughter and it worked for her. they recommend putting about a tablespoon of it in the bottle twice daily for a day. I put it in my daughter's "lunch" and "dinner" bottle. the next day she did her thing and felt so much better. she pooped several times that day but I didnt care as long as she got everything out. My daughter is currently 7 months old and I still use the Kayo syrup for her when she is constipated. so you can try that and see what happens. hope it works for you like it did for me

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K.W.

answers from Orlando on

my friend had this problem -- and she was told to change formula to one that is easier on the little guy's digestive system. i don't know which one (sorry) but she had already bought a case of it --so she ended up giving him juice or something........i thought she should have just tried to return it (but she said she couldn't?) -- without letting the poor little guy go through constipation......but moms know best

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J.S.

answers from Orlando on

You can try adding a little extra water to the formula for hydration and making the bottles a little warmer than usual. The heat will help activate his bowels (think about what coffee, hot tea or cocoa does for you). Small amounts of natural juices will not make your baby obese, let's be serious. One other thing you can try is having your baby adjusted by a chiropractor. the process of birth can cause subluxations in the spine and a simple adjustment can help get things moving,it works for our kids and my niece as well. Make sure you ask around to get a referral on a good DC who has experience with kids. If you're in central florida, Dr. Paul Sorchy and his team in Clermont are amazing with children and adults alike. Good luck!

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J.S.

answers from Melbourne on

Hi my name is J.. My neice had constipation when she went from formula to milk. We gave her apple juice. WORKS WONDERS. And the formula you use could make a difference. Have you tried liquid formula. They have concentrate and pre mixed. My niece couldn't use powder formula, that constipated her as well. Good luck! ____@____.com

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J.B.

answers from Melbourne on

That is rough. My son was constipated a lot when he was younger I gave him diluted apple juice. I also needed to stimulate his bowels (per the doc). For that all I did was washed my hands well and take your pinky finger and insert the tip into the rectum. Sounds nasty but it worked usually within hours

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J.P.

answers from Orlando on

I also had the same issues with my 6 month old son. I gave him pear juice..also feed him pear (baby food) and that seemed to help him quite a bit. But for the tough times I have had to use glycerin suppositories....Just make sure the diaper is on tight!!!

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C.N.

answers from Lakeland on

Glyerine supp work well and fast. I used them several times on my son. He was always alot happier after!

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J.N.

answers from Orlando on

Hey there!
The consitpation is caused by the different iron source in formula. Apricot nectar was suggested to me by a friend when my baby had similar problems. The easiest thing for me was to buy baby food prunes and just get him to eat a little from time to time. He did not like the juice mixed with the formula or otherwise... also rice cereal seemed to help a bit.
Hope any of this is helpful!
J.

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S.L.

answers from Orlando on

K.
Usually if you take a baby and switch from breastfeeding directly to formula they tend to get constipated. If you still have breast milk try to breastfeed in between bottles that way he still get the nutrients from you and can adjust to the formula. Also during this time use a formula with less iron! Baby Apple juice usually helps also. I know doctors say no water under i believe 9 months but trust me it doesn't hurt. An ounce or 2 between the feeding for example:
morning nurse, apple juice wait until hungry then dilute the formula (if he eats 6 oz.) try 7 once water for 3 unpacked scoops of formula, wait about an hour or 2 hours then give 1-2 onces of water...... you see what i am saying?
I work at a daycare with infants and I have to do this for one of my baby girls.
If you do this and stick to it you will see a difference within hours or 1-3 days. I know it sounds like a long time to see your baby in pain but it will be worth it in the end!
If in the end it doesn't work i would contact the doctor.
Breastfed babies can go up to 3 days without a poopy, so it is a big change jumping from breast milk to formula.
Good luck and i hope this helps you b/c all babies are different.
S.
Longwood!

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C.S.

answers from Orlando on

My 18m old was the same way. We put Benefiber powder in her milk and juice (formula when she was that age). You can also try giving her milkofmagnesia (spelling is probably wrong). Ask your doctor for exact dosage. Our daughter still has the benefiber in her cups but she doesn't even notice it.

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K.J.

answers from Naples on

What worked for us was adding another .5 ounces of water to the formula to keep our babies more hydrated. Another thing is read the baby food labels and find something with substantial amounts of fiber (like 2 grams instead of 1). I think we fed a lot of pears and green beans when our kids couldn't poop. Good luck!

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K.W.

answers from Orlando on

When mixing the formula add about 1/2-1 ounce of apple juice instead of water to it. (Apple juice is a bit milder than prune juice both with the taste and the results)
My son needed about 3-4 ounces a day to keep him grunt free! (and he wouldn't take juice by itself so mixing it with the formula worked--just make sure to replace it with the water so they still get the same amount of formula...)

If they are on solids keep this in mind:
Applesauce, rice and bananas will bulk up
while pears and apple juice will loosen--so keep a balance between them...

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T.D.

answers from Daytona Beach on

I completely understand where you are coming from. I have just had to deal with the same issue, except they had me switch formulas which caused it. There is an infant glycerin suppository that the pharmacy carries, we used that which helped. We also used dark Karo syrup in his bottle. If it continues your peditrican can all in a perscription for some stuff that is kind of like a laxative. Depending on how long they have been on the formula (they normally say give it week), it could be that. I was breastfeeding and had to stop due to surgery. We started him out on Similac, but had problems. We ended up giving him Good Start with Comfort Proteins. It is suppose to be like breastmilk as far as digesting it. Good luck, and I hope this help.

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L.M.

answers from Honolulu on

Try apple sause or apple juice (sause has more fiber, but I don't know if he can have solids yet!) I suggest getting the all natual apple sause (high fructose corn syrup and honey *can cause bocholism in children under one so read that label!)

*it rarely does but better safe than sorry!

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M.A.

answers from Orlando on

Hi K.. I know what you mean! My 10-month old has had similar issues and I hate for him to be uncomfortable. Our pediatrician recommended pear juice and water. We found the pear juice at Publix in the baby section. If you are doing solids, sweet potatoes, pears and/or applesauce may help too. They have for our son!

Plus, our son didn't like the Gerber prunes either at first, but we kept giving them to him mixed with other fruits and now he'll take them straight!

Good luck!
M.

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A.S.

answers from Gainesville on

Have you tried putting molasses in his bottle? That works sometimes. Also, if he is in real pain, you can try glycerin sticks (pharmacy section of any store). It is a suppository and you should only use 1/4 to 1/2 of a stick. Use something for lubricant (baby oil or vaseline) and gently put the stick in (you may want to use a q tip or something) and then hold his cheeks together so it doesn't pop out. Usually within a minute or two they will go the the bathroom. Make sure there is a diaper underneath. I don't know if this works for everyone, but it did when my daughter was a baby.

Also, you can ask your doctor or local pharmacist for suggestions.

Good luck.

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L.W.

answers from Gainesville on

HiYa K.,
I also have twins and my son has the same problem so the doctor put him on Miralax. You can now also get it over the counter but i would ask the doctor first considering his age.

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M.M.

answers from Orlando on

I had this same issue - - and still do! My son 17 months old and I have to watch his diet carefully. When he was younger, I would use a medicine dropper and squirt prune juice in his mouth (in the direction of the cheek). He didn't like it, but he was able to go.

Try giving your little one the pureed Gerber fruit and sneak some prune juice in it.

Try putting a little A&D ointment up his bottom - sounds gross, but it helps. My dr also suggested putting A&D ointment up there and use a rectal thermo to stimulate the rectal muscles to help him/her go. Again, it sounds gross but it worked for my little guy.

I've heard of mineral oil working- - but my dr. said NOT to use it.

Keep in mind that when a baby can't go, it's so painful and unhealthy for their little digestive systems.

Good luck!!!!

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M.W.

answers from Tampa on

I went thru the same thing (15 yrs ago). My pediatrician told me to put Kayro Syrup, like tablespoon probably, in with is bottle. I can't remember how well it worked but I didn it several times, so it must have help. You might do some research on the internet too. good luck!

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J.P.

answers from Orlando on

try warm diluted apple juice. Any kind of juice helps. Also, you can try another formula on him.

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J.L.

answers from Lakeland on

Please do not give your six month old anything. Giving babies foods/other things early causes allergies there stomachs are not ready for that yet. they do not have the enzymes to break it down. Maybe you could try bm again most ppl transition the baby slowly from one to the next. if you need support seek out LLL. I wish you luck and I hope your little man feels relief soon. I had two close together so I know how it can be stressful but I am glad I stuck it out becaus now when the temper tantrums start nursing is a super power where as my two year old has nothing to calm her fits. bol

I can not believe some of the advice your getting babies do not need suger juice is loaded with sugar! corn syrup are you kidding me! you ppl should not be giving advice you are setting this child up for obesity and child onset dibetes! you should really look into whole food diets and watch the discovery health channel on sept 17th at 8 they are doing a special on the truth about food. also check out this website www.mercola.com he has tons of useful information pertaining to health and diet. please dont believe that drugs and other things are the answer to your babies problems.

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K.L.

answers from Orlando on

my son has had to same problem. i took him to the doc's several times they told me give him prune juice .white grape juice and oatmeal baby creal and water ....do not give him anything with apples in it Well i tried that for a few weeks he still had a problem so the doc's changed his formula still he had a problem so now at 10 months old i took him off formula and put him on reg milk and now he has no problem i know 6 months is way to young for you to try that but try atleast chaging his formula if the other suggestions fail

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L.L.

answers from Orlando on

I had constipation issues with my son when he was that age. I put a small amount of olive oil in his cereal, (like a couple of drops), twice a day. It worked wonders! Good luck!

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S.M.

answers from Lakeland on

Hello K.,
Have you tried Acidolphilus? At your local heath foor store they have Baby Acidophilus that helps with the aid of digestion in babys and toddlers. My son was have problems also and tried that and had no problems since. You know you ask the doctors about this problem and they don't really know anything that has to do about digestion and natural foods. I asure you that in one week your baby will be doing better... you also might want to try another kind of formula like soy formula? I found out that my son is lacose intolerant and that soy does help in the ade of digestion. Oh yea Acidolphilus is the same thing found in yogert.
PS Acidophilus will also cure Diaper rash and yeast infection on your little ones bottem and if you ever get one also from antibiotics you to can use that instead of monistat that never works!
Hope that helps,
S.
Lakeland Florida
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P.T.

answers from Orlando on

Hi...My daughter was always constipated too and the following things helped me...but make sure you talk to your pediatrician first!
Hope this helps!!

Tummy Massage - Gently massage and rub baby's tummy in a clockwise direction. Place your hands at baby's navel and massage in a circular motion, moving your hand(s) out and away from the center of baby's belly.

Warm Bath - Some medical professionals suggest giving your constipated baby a warm bath. The thought is that this may help relax baby and "get things moving" again. Give a tummy massage as you are drying baby.

Bicycle Legs - Place your baby on her back and lightly hold her legs in a half-bent position. Gently begin to move your baby's legs as if she is riding a bicycle. Alternate "Bicycle Legs" with Tummy Massage. *"Bicycle Legs" also may help to relieve a baby who is gassy.

Prune juice isn't the only thing that helps....
Try giving one to two ounces of diluted fruit juice such as grape or apple-prune twice daily. (Always consult your pediatrician about the appropriateness of new foods/liquids to help alleviate constipation)

Try strained foods that contain high fiber such as:

apricots

prunes

peaches

plums

pears

peas

spinach

In older infants who are just beginning solid foods, you may want to avoid baby foods such as rice cereal, applesauce and bananas as these may aggravate constipation!

Barley or oatmeal cereals, prunes, peaches, plums, apricots and most vegetables are preferred when baby has constipation.

Juices are helpful, especially apple or prune, but use in moderation, as they are not as nutritious for babies as formula or breastmilk.

Recall the BRAT diet for treatment of diarrhea in infants - Bananas, Rice, Applesauce and Toast. An easy and natural way to remember how to alleviate baby's constipation is to cut out the foods that contribute to it - rice cereals, bananas, and applesauce. If you ever forget which foods to cut out, remember BRAT!

Why can I give Apple Juice but NOT Applesauce?

There is a difference in the amount of sugars and pectin in apple juice and applesauce:

Apple juice contains more sugars and liquids so it helps relieve constipation.

Applesauce is the whole of the fruit. It contains a higher level of pectin - which firms up stools and may thus lead to constipation.

"Apple juice also has a mild laxative effect that may help provide relief from constipation commonly experienced by little ones. Apple juice fortified with vitamin C may help children absorb more iron, an important nutrient for growth and development."

Apples contain pectin, which will add bulk to your stools, and their cleansing action will encourage bowel movements. They have a laxative effect yet are also used for to help people get back on a regular diet after suffering bouts of diarrhea.

The pectin in the apple fiber apparently is the healing factor, which explains why it is included in one of the popular over-the-counter diarrhea remedies. Also, that same fiber pectin is what dietitians have been telling us for decades is necessary to keep us regular and to prevent constipation.

When it comes to bowel regularity, apples contain two types of fiber tackle the job no matter what it is. Both the insoluble fiber in apples and their soluble fiber pectin help relieve constipation.

You can read more on the website
http://www.wholesomebabyfood.com/constip.htm

Hope some of this info helps....the apple juice helped my kids!

Patti

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J.

answers from Orlando on

See if you can jump start your breast milk again. :)
It may seem more convenient to give formula but it comes with far many more inconveniences in the long run.

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L.B.

answers from Fort Myers on

His body will eventually get used to it. Until then try putting the prune juice in a medicine dropper so that you can squirt it in to his mouth forcing him tyo take a little. (Or put a thermometer in his "heiney" to help him go.)

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A.T.

answers from Lakeland on

K., try Karo syrup.
A.

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H.A.

answers from Orlando on

my ped suggested KAYRO syrup in a bottle of water

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K.B.

answers from Orlando on

My pediatrician recommended Juice Plus vitamins for my little guys (more fiber than regular vitamins). Capsules can be broken and added right into bottles (my twins are still on 1/2 BM and 1/2 F). We've also had success with Fleet glycerin suppositories for when it gets really bad (OTC- but you may want to check with your ped first). Are the twins eating any cereal or fruits/veggies yet? If not, now may be a great time to start introducing them to add more fiber into their diets. Best of luck to you and your little ones!

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