Help with Infant Constipation

Hi J.. Have you tried massage?? You could massage his tummy. Also, try reflexology. Rub the bottoms of his feet right across the arches. This is the part of the foot that connects to digestion.
K.
San Leandro

I think you can start giving him regular soy milk or regular milk even oatmeal, water maybe two cups blen some oatmeal 1/3 cup added when water is cold bring to a boil stir over medium heat add some sugar and some milk turn off and done. Also you can use Ligh Corn Syrup KARO, Pears are good oranges and grapes, canteloupe they all have fiber and water. Have you tried CREAM OF WHEAT is a red box and you can give your baby some in 2 1/2 minutes is done. I'm giving my 20month old baby. I use 1/3 cup and 2cups of water and add milk at the end. Play with it and see the consistency you like.

Hi J.!

Don't feel alone. My now 2.5 year old daughter has had this problem since i stopped breastfeeding her as well. And that was when she was about 4 months old. Right when she started her formula she started having issues with constipation. She has just now started getting better. I understand how frustrating it can be when you've felt you've tried everything and to see your child in pain.
Things that helped my daughter were a daily high fiber diet. Find out or try different high fiber foods with your son. For my daughter she loves beans! So I try to incorporate some type of beans into one meal a day. That helps a lot and makes it easy for her to go when she does have to go. Lots of fruit. At least one serving of fruit a day, and plenty of water! I also did mineral oil in her bottles.
So just really stress putting as much fiber into his diet daily as possible. I hope this helps! Things should get better!

If someone wants a surefire way of getting rid of this problem for life without the side effects of medication longterm or even food allergies which is what milk is known to cause....
Try a really good probiotic. Infants and children can take it as well as pets, for not only constipation but as a great dietary supplement.

InLiven is a great product that is not only a probiotic but has over 20 vegetables in it. visit: http://www.lgorganics.com

Hi J.,

I have heard from some of my friends that pure Pear Juice (no water added) works wonders! I hope that this can help!

My older daughter had this problem. It was so hard to see the pain and blood when she had a BM! Our doctor prescribed Mirilax for her. It worked great! She wound up using it for over a year, but now she is five and no longer has the problem.

Miralax is now available over the counter, but I would still suggest consulting your pediatrician first. Also, talk to your doctor about the side effects of the current medication.

Good luck!

I have a 9 yr old with the same problem when he was younger and i changed his formula from powder to concentrate or get the ready to feed yes its more expensive but thats what i used with the other 3 and never had a problem ! the powder is harder to diguest even if the drs say no its the same it takes there bodies a little longer to go through and break it all down. that is from my own expreinces !
Good luck

My daughter, who is now six, has had issues with constipation since she was an infant. When she was small, our pediatrician recommended mineral oil...one teaspoon in her juice. This worked well when she was in diapers...the mineral oil helps the bowels just slip out. So naturally, once they are in regular underwear, this doesn't work so well. I agree with the other recommendations for Mirilax....that has worked WONDERS on her constipation now that she is older. It really helps regulate her, and she doesn't get as constipated as she used to. But at the times we notice she hasn't had a BM in a few days, we start her on the Mirilax again, and within a day she is back to normal. I'm not sure how old they have to be to start using it though. Best to ask your pedi about it.

Try switching formulas first of all. You didn't mention whether he was eating any cereals. My pediatrician told me that when my kids started eating rice cereal, mixing it with a milk based formula (which I was already giving him), and add baby food (jar food) pears (50/50). Her nurses told her that they heard from too many moms about constipated babies. This seemed to work. Good luck

This is a very common problem with formula, particularly the soy based variety. If formula is a necessity, I'd make sure to get the milk based ones. Some of the organic companies (Horizon and a couple of other organic baby food companies) are making formula now. I never used any formula, but I did notice in comparing them that the ingredients list on the organic products were much shorter and that's usually a good thing! Also, I noticed you mentioned staying away from apple. Unless there is an allergy issue, I'd use a little bit of apple juice here and there. Apple juice, like prune juice, can function as a mild laxative. Especially if you stick with the real, unfiltered apple juice and stay away from the filtered concentrates that are lower in vitamins and fiber, and higher in sugar. The last thing I can think to check on the iron content in his diet. If the stool is dark and hard when it is produced, that can be a sign that there is too much iron in his diet. If this symptom is present, mention it to your doctor and check the iron content on his formula and any other supplement products you are giving him. You may need to stop using them, or reduce the amount he is having. Although they may help in some situations, I'd refrain from using enema products on such a little one without direction from your doctor. Good luck with your little guy. I hope this helps...

Get some ivory soap,cut off a lil piece,wet it until it can easily insert in baby's bottom. Its the best baby enema(spelling may be wrong)it might help get him going,in conjunction with what u are already doing. I have a 13 and 1 yr old,it works

My son battles with constipation throughout his infant and toddler years. i did all the things you have tried as well as apple juice for one of his feedings, giving him formula without iron, switching to soy.... what finally worked for us was a homeopathic remedy called NUX VOMICA... we had him seen by a homeopathic practioner ( we didn't do it ourselves) i hope that helps...
L. f

Hi there, my little guy (11months) has always had constipation issues. (Even when nursing he did) anyhow, we were perscribed the laxative powder to put in his juice and it also made his tummy hurt. I did some reserach and have had a lot of luck w/Flax seed oil. Found at health food stores. Just put 1tsp in his breakfast, or yogurt. It is great, just softens things, no runny stuff or cramping. I've also tried All Bran cereal too...grind it up in blender to a fine grain and sprinkle 1tsp over cereal. I'm sure it wil help, good luck hope he feels better soon!