12 Week Old Constipated, Should I Give Prune Juice?

I would look for another doctor. If you are breastfeeding it should work itself out but prune juice at that age could turn them off of the breast. One thing that we did when our little one was going through something similar was to hold a warm wash cloth on his bottom. It's an old wives tale but worked really well. Also, is there a medical reason you are giving a little tiny one vitamins? If not, I would just stop that and see if things get flowing again. Breastmilk is the healthiest thing he can have and there is nothing else most babies need.

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yes the iron in it can cause constipation.

Just don't give him the Polyvisol.
It won't harm him.
I nursed both my kids, and I did not give them Polyvisol until they were older.
I exclusively breastfed.

Just keep nursing on demand.

I would not give diluted prune juice... you would not know how much to give... and if given too much, you will have explosive poops... really. Or even diarrhea.

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You have already gotten some great answers here. I agree that there is no need to be giving an exclusively breastfed baby vitamins. If you pediatrician advised it, it's probably because he is used to formula fed babies that do need the extra vitamins. As someone else suggest, just make sure YOU are taking a really good multivitamin and the baby will get all he needs.

I would like to advise AGAINST taking your sons temperature rectally (or using it as a way to induce pooping). When I had my son (he's 9 months old), I noticed that the nurses where taking his temp but not using a rectal thermometer. I was very happy about this because I just hated when the did it to my daughter when she was born (she is 4). So, I asked what had changed and why they were not doing it rectally. She stated that they are moving away from the practice because it is far to easy to perforate the bowl of a baby with the thermometer (and they are trained nurses not a parent who has only done it a handful of times!). This is a hospital that is affiliated with one of the countries best pediatric hospitals so I trust what they have to say and think it makes perfect sense.

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You can also use the clear Karo Syrup. Just rub a little on your nipples before nursing. It worked with my son when he was constipated. Within about 2 hours of nursing - BAM - we had a BM.

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Eat whatever makes you go, and then feed him. It won't take long!

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I don't know about the diluted prune juice. I would hold off on the vitamin a few days. He probably needs something with less or no iron in it, as iron is very constipating, even for adults. Nurse him on demand so that he's getting plenty of fluids, and try taking his temp rectally again.

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I have never done it at that age. I understand that juice is not recommended til 6 mo. of age. Was this a nurse or doctor that recommended this or the receptionist? If it was the nurse or doctor, then it might be okay. I do give my 2 1/2 year old 3 Tbsp of prune juice a day and it works. If I were to give it to a baby that young, 1 Tbsp might be enough.

Add on, I did not catch the vitamin supplement. Too much iron can constipate. I would not give a vitamin supplement unless directed by the pediatric doctor. My doctor said it was not necessary and recommended that I not give any. Your baby will be getting vitamins and nutrients from you. Continue taking your prenatal. If it is suggested to give your baby Vitamin D, instead of giving it to your baby, I would suggest that you take a Vitamin D supplement instead. It will be passed to the baby.

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why is he getting vitamins? they are not needed until 6 months ( if even then) your breastmilk contains all the nutrients your baby needs! plus the iron in those vitamins is not as well absorbed as the iron in your breastmilk, it also diminishes his ability to absorb your iron, and the iron in the vitamins can be used by bacteria to reproduce BUT cannot be used if its the iron in your breastmilk. I have no idea why a doctor would recommend you give such a small baby vitamins! and as you can see your baby doesnt need them because they are binding him up. please do some more research on this. make sure you are taking a prenatal and some Vit D3 supplements and there is no need for him to be getting anything but your milk for the first 6 months at least!

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Hi,
We had the same problem with our son but he was a little younger. It totally worked with no adverse affect. (Except I had to smell the prune juice when putting it in a bottle with the baby water). When he was 5 month old we would give him baby food pureed prunes and that worked even better.

You can also try 2 oz of water mixed with 1 tablespoon of light kayro syrup once a day. That seemed to help my daughter.

I agree with Elizabeth, water & Kyro syrup work great. Try massaging her butt as well, that helps too. My oldest was constipated at an early age like yours. At 2-3 she would be playing and all of a sudden stop and start crying. We always knew what it was. She is 71/2 now and I still have to watch how much dairy takes in. Too much milk or cheese...forget it, she crying because it hurts so bad. Now, though she is really good at telling me if she has gone or not. I try to give her Benefiber in her milk or water at least once a day, but when I forget that's what happens. When I keep up with the Benefiber she is regular and goes daily. She even asks for it, when she knows that she needs it.

I think 12 weeks is a little young, but if the doctor said, then I would try extreme small amounts. Personally, I would try a couple drops to 4 ounces of water and see what that does. We gave my daughter a lot of prune juice because of that, but she was a bit older.

My daughter had similar constipation issues. If your Polyvisol is "with Iron", the iron can DEFINITELY cause constipation. You can either switch to the one that doesn't contain iron, or go with Tryvisol. I'm a big fan of vitamins, though I don't think I started giving them to my kids until they were at least 5 or 6 months old when they started on cereal and solid foods. That's when it's most important to start vitamins to supplement nutrition.

My daughter had similar problems. I did finally give her a little prune juice, as the doc said it was ok. They said to use reg prune juice and dilute it with baby water. I did 1oz prune juice and 1oz water. Gave it to her in the evenings for a couple days and she pooped. Felt much better! I Sid this off and on as she needed it. I actually still give her some sometimes by mixing it in with her cereal or oatmeal.

no you give mylicon its the all time saver!!! put some in diaper bag some in babys room kitchen its a life saver!

I used to put a splash of prune juice into my baby's bottle when she was constipated. Worked like a CHARM! A little goes a long way!

Babies are affected by what you eat, so maybe you could drink the prune juice or eat something to help. When I was nursing, I had to quit eating graham crackers for the duration because of loose stools in my son. I agree with the others about the vitamins. Iron is constipating, and he shouldn't need vitamins at this age. I think the best option is to adjust your diet, not his.

S., if you give your baby prune juice, cut it with water so it's not so rich. (Half water, half prune juice.) And yes, I did this with my baby around that age.

I wouldn't use a rectal thermometer either, like one poster mentioned. If you need something to TEMPORARILY help, you can use wax "wicks" (suppositories) just for this purpose. You warm them between your fingers, put them in the rectum a little ways, and it helps baby poop. I only did that a few times with the doctor's advice, but it did help. When they are little, it's easy for something to to throw their little systems off.

Good luck!
D.

I would stop giving your son vitamins, at this age its not necessary when you're exclusively breastfeeding. I would be sure to be taking your prenatal vitamins and a DHA supplement (you can get them at target inexpensively), since everything you intake your son will get through your breastmilk. If you drop the vitamins for your son and feed him regularly it should help with the constipation. If after a day or so, he hasn't gone, then I would try a little prune juice or karyo syrup/water mix. My sister swore by a rectal thermometer, she did that for her 1st LO and said it worked every time, but I just couldn't do it to my daughter. Good luck!

Your babý gets the nutrition he needs through your milk. Are you still taking prenatal vitamins? What you take gets passed through your milk.