7 Week Old Constipated Boy

Both of my kids were extremely gassy and constipated. My poor daughter had a horrible milk allergy and had to give her a hypoallergenic formula that was prescribed by her Ped GI. There were several nights that I had to push the poop out of her, it was awful. She had large compacted stools that the Ped GI showed me how to get out. They have a variety of suppositories available, and one of them came in mini bottles of liquid. I never used the entire dose, just enough to lubricate. If you do this, don't reuse the bottle due to contamination. Poor baby, hang in there...it does get better.

Bicycle his legs.

Microwave a hand towel to just warm & put it on his belly to relieve gas pain.

Ask you ped or 24 hr nurse line for rec's, I don't think infants should have water. As about glycerin suppositories. Sometimes just barely inserting a rectal thermometer will release it...but, like I said, call your nurse line. I wouldn't start changing formulas, etc.....just keep feeding as normal.

Hi--
I'd bet money he's allergic to the formula you're giving him. At his age he should be having a bowel movement EVERY time you feed him. The fact that he isn't going on screams food allergy to me (both my boys have them, so I'm a bit of an expert on this one). I say change his formula. Ideally, you could make your own formula. There are recipes all over the web for this, or I can help you if you like. You want to stay away from all dairy, including casein and whey protein, and I would also stay away from soy. All soy, unless it is organic, is genetically modified and not good for you. Add that is is high in phyto-estrogens (chemicals that act like the hormone estrogen in the body) and it can really mess up his hormonal balance. Goat's milk is considered a good alternative, and you can get it through Vitamin Cottage (there's one up here in Castle Rock). You could also try getting your milk back--it's possible, but difficult. I think your best option is making your own formula--it's even cheaper then the powdered stuff, and a lot healthier. I'm only up the highway from you if you'd like help. My girlfriend just went through this with her niece, so I can get all the research from her for you. OR you can call her yourself---I know she wouldn't mind. She's a biochemist and an expert in nutrition as well, so she'd really be able to help. Let me know if you'd like our help.
J.

It can be the formula depending on what you use. Infants do not need water. I would think your pediatrician would advise against that. Most formulas have probiotics that help with digestion. We use similac advance and actually had problems with loose stools in the beginning after I didnt produce enough milk.

Talk to your dr about a switch... It won't hurt the baby to try a different type or brand. You want him and everyone else to be happy.

You can try to re-lactate... takes about a week or less. You pump excessively, while taking fenugreek with blessed thistle supplements and also allow baby to suckle every hour - even if you think he's getting nothing from your nipples. By the end of a week, you'll have a full supply UNLESS you know for sure your body does not produce prolactin, which you have less than a 3% chance getting because 3% of women GLOBALLY cannot produce prolactin.

This will usually solve most issues infants get with formula.

If he's pooping pebbles, he's in pain... unless you cannot recall how it feels when YOU poop pebbles!

Like another mom, I would put 1/4 of it prune juice and the rest formula and she would poop out normal again or explode and then poop normal again lol. If that doesn't work you may want to try and see if a different formula will work, for gassy babies, and see if that helps out.

My first was constipated and it was from the dairy. I would talk to your doctor about switching to Soy or Sensative formula. #2 did fine on Soy and #3 needed the Sensative - it may take some trial and error to see what works.

It could be the iron in the formula that is causing baby's discomfort. Try formula for sensitive tummies.

Put baby prune puree in his milk (just a teaspoon full). Or prune juice, or a teaspoon of brown sugar. - put it in water, its nice and sweet.. should do the trick.

good luck!

Don't do caro syrup - not good for baby. You could ask the pharmacist for benefiber for children, but talk to your pediatrician first.