Suggestions on 11 Month Old's Constipation

IMO it is better to have a diet dependent prunes than a diet dependent on Karo syrup. The reason Karo works is becasue the baby cannot break down the sugar properly, so it induces the body to eliminate it, rather than process it. Whereas the prunes are naturally helping to bulk up her stool and move it along in the digestive process. Also, Karo can contain botulism spores like honey, so should not be given to anyone under one year old. Yes, a LOT of people have used it with no problems (some docs even recommend it)...the risk is rare, but is still there, nonetheless.

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I've had this a lot with all 3 of mine. Just straight baby food prunes will work wonders! I used them when I needed it, but also just worked it in as a regular part of their diet. Also make sure you are giving plenty of fluids too. Good luck!

Hello D.~

I have a 4 year 3 mos. son and he has fortunately never been constipated. He is so regular that each morning he has a bowel movement. I also breastfed, but from early on I always would put a little Flax Oil in his pumped breastmilk or juice because it is really great for brain development with the Omega 3, 6, 9. I used Udo's from Whole Foods in the refridgerated section. Also, making sure he is always hydrated with plenty of water. I dilute the juice with only a little juice and the rest water.

I hope this helps. This really needs to be addressed as it will cause problems later. I do not advise the use of the Karo corn syrup...that is just sugar.

Good luck!

I believe you are supposed to use dark Karo syrup not light for constipation. My daughter has had a lot of problems with constipation when she was 3 (4 now) she had a rectal prolapse (part of the rectum actually pushes out) the gastroenterologist put her on the mineral oil which I tried but I could not get her to eat it hardly in food or juice and then it caused her to leak it was awful (and mineral oil is so unnatural) don't do it!! Before going to the gastro her pediatrician recommended miralax (not sure if suitable for 11 month old) which worked after stopping the oil I just watch her diet and only need to give her the miralax once every few weeks if needed.

Yes, your pharmacist was very much correct in saying Karo syrup, mineral oil is too harsh for a child. I have used Karo syrup for years with my kids, grandkids and it was used for me as well. One teaspoon to her bottle at night works wonderful, even in one in her cereal in the morning.

Good luck.

my oldest daughter suffered from constipation since she was 3 months, i used to give her baby glicerin suppositories and it worked great, but now i have a 3 month old, i give her baby prune juice if she hasnt been pooping for over 4 days (which is the norm for breastfed babies) It works she enjoys the taste and she doesnt go tru pain while pooping.

Hope this helps,

D. C

My daughter just turned a year on April 7th and we have been battling constipation since she was a month old. We used Karo Syrup in her bottle once a day for 3 weeks and it worked. Per my pediatrician we used 1 TBSP in her morning bottle. Now I give her fresh ripe pears in cubes 2 or 3 times a week. I also give her beans on a daily basis. The fiber in beans helps so much and they are super health. I buy organic black, kidney and great northern beans. Make sure to give them a good rinse sine they are packed with salt.

Karo always worked for my kids. Tastes a lot better than mineral oil too...

my pediatrition also suggested that we use Karo syrup, but I din;t remember what was the dose...
It's just a little bit. But I went to the health food store because I had the same concerns!! And they suggested raisins. And they did the trick!! the problem was my son would want raisins all the tim,e because he loved them!!!

Good Day,

When my kids had a problem with constipation, I did one or both of the following:

1. Give some applesauce in their oatmeal, or by itself.
2. Give some warm apple prune juice, from the baby section.
3. With the child lying on its back, gently push with your hand their feet into their stomach area, then alternate one leg at a time, and then the two together again.

I did #3 while playing with them, and they liked it. I also made sure that they had plenty of water. I was not one for a lot of laxatives, so the at home babysitter told me about the applesauce.

If they are drinking milk, you might want to change to 2% milk and see what happens. You can mix the two - whole and 2% and see how they like it.

A great option would be to give your daugher avacados. They are extremely nutritious and a natural laxative. Try it plain first or you could add anything you want to give some flavor like applesauce.

Karo syrup has been working naturally for decades, even my mom used it on me back in the early 60's! I used to put a spoonful in my kids bottles, each bottle until the constipation cleared up. Breastfeeding I am not sure how you will get it into your little one, but yes it does work, and it works gently and naturally.

Karo, will do the trick. I'm a Grandma and way back in the years before fomula we had to make our own. Karo was in it as well as evaporated milk and water. I would try it!

If your daughter is okay eating olives give her black olives. My son had the same problem and I read up on it and olivies are kind of a natural laxative for kids. we usually give him about 10 every 2-3 days to keep him regular

My ped suggested Fleet Babylax Glyserine Suppositories when my son had bad constipation. He didnt' have it all the time like it seems your daughter does, but it worked when he did.

is the constipation since you've added dairy to her diet?
milk PROTEIN (not LACTOSE which is milk SUGAR) can cause constipation.
try cutting ALL milk protein from YOUR diet (since you're breastfeeding) and hers for a good 2 weeks. this means even 'hidden' dairy as ingredients like 'whey' and 'casein'
google: milk protein names
and you'll see all the ways milk can 'hide'
if after 2 weeks you see improvement, then try adding it back into yours first by eating the 'hidden dairy' for 2 weeks, including hard cheeses and yogurt
and if this does not affect her constipation then YOU can add dairy back into your own diet...
I bet it's the milk proteins...
you might 'just' want to start by eliminating it from HER diet first (easier to do, but just extends the process)to see if it helps!

GOod Morning! As soon as I read the heading for your post my first thought was Karo syrup. My oldest daughter is 15 now, but we had to put Karo syrup in every bottle for quite a long time for her. We put about a tablespoon full in each 8oz bottle and it worked like a charm. It won't hurt her and it really does help.

Hope that helps!
V.

i used karo on my baby girl earlier on. i just put a dab on her pacifier or my finger and let her suck it off. i don't know why, but usually within the hour she would have a bowl movement. it does stop having that effect after they get a bit older tho. good luck.

you wouldn't want to add an actual mineral oil to her food. mineral oil is a petroleum product. But if you mean something with minerals, black strap molasses has minerals. I nv=ever heard of corn syrup being used nutritionally. Can you feed her cooked apples? How about breaking soft raisins open or even cooking them for her? The flaky cereal causes constipation. If she is breastfed she does not need whatever the cereal supposedly supplies. I'd go for fruits--banana, avocado, papaya, etc and add grains alittle later...

My daughter had the same issue at her 9 mo. checkup. Breastfed also. Constipation and low iron count. My doctor suggested she take an iron supplement for babies. I continue to use prunes and prune juice to keep her regular. Sometimes I mix a little prune juice in her food. I stay away from the rice cereal and stick with oatmeal. Other foods that are good for regularity are peas, apricots and apple juice. Also know a mom who is does baby masssage and taught me how to massage her belly to help her with her bowel movements. Really works well!

Corn syrup is made from corn... and like all sweetener is good in moderation. But it works wonders for constipation!! Try it yourself and you'll see. It won't hurt her one bit!

I would suggest a little spoon of olive oil to soften stool. But please ask the doctor first in all cases. My niece had that problem and by giving her 1/2 a teaspoon of olive oil in the mornings made her get a little relieve. Also oatmeal is good.

I thought it was weird when my boys' doctor suggested it for my son. But oddly enough, it works.

I used a teaspoon of syrup in two ounces of water, although you'd probably want to up the amount because Alex was three months old when he had problems with constipation.

Their doctor also suggested that I also sort of massage around his anus, because the stimulation can cause a bowel movement. This also worked.

I hope you figure out something, because I know how stressful it is to watch your child go through that.

Check out Monavie - Original Blend. It's fruits crushed up but it's wonderful and will help.