Baby Constipated

Go see a pediatric gastroenterologist - it is NOT NORMAL to not go for 2 weeks and that poor baby is miserable. A tablespoon of mineral oil works wonders and it totally safe - my little girl has this same problem. Also, that Benefiber is a miracle product - no taste, dissolves completely in their juice/milk and will not become addictive like laxatives and it worth every penny. Please get this info to her today - I am worried about that little one!

From experience-- do not worry about changing pediatricians. Find a pediatric gastroenterologist immediately. Pediatricians will give you a quick relief, but nothing that fixes anything long term. Mineral oil does clear them out, benefiber will soften, etc. However, if the child chooses not to go, these items will not help. My 6 year old son started when he was about 6 months old not going for up to 2 weeks at a time. He would get so filled up that he would throw up trying to go also. As he got older, he would throw up from eating too much food when he hadn't went. (not so fun in restaurants!) It is a chain reaction...they go and it hurts...so they hold it more and they do not go. I changed pediatricians 3 times. Pediatric gastro can put you on a plan. Mine gave me Miralax (now available over the counter..not sure for babies though) and has helped him go everyday and realize it does not hurt anymore. Don't wait as long as I did. I wish I had gone so much earlier. When they tell you your childs colon could be stretched beyond repair from this...it's a tad scary =-) Thankfully we were ok. In Va, I would highly suggest Dr. Liebowicz.

Hi. This is not normal. Your friend should take her DD to the ER asap and seek out a ped. specialist. My ped. said that 3 days should be the longest. When they don't go their systems get backed up and it causes a bunch of other issues.
I haven't tried the mineral oil, and prune juice did nothing for my son. Here are some things that we tried.
1. Lots of water and juice. Apple juice and grape juice work well.
2. Graham crackers, ritz crackers, etc. avoid 'white' foods.
3. Avoid alot of milk products.
4. Fleet suppositories. They are made with saline.
Best of luck
M.

My son has had these problems since he was an infant. I have found that giving him lts of water has helped the situation. We finially had to use Miralax which works really well and doctor suggested it. It is not habit forming and very gentle. You may want to ask your doctor about it but for now try lots of water. Hope this helps!

My both children were constipated and suffered from tummy issues. I used babies magic tea after trying lots of things but this tea did great.

Pear juice worked really well for my son.

I definitely would not be satisfied with that answer and would probably start interviewing a new pediatrician. To help your friend's daughter though, my cousin had the same problem with her son where he would not go for weeks at a time and she found that a spoonful of pumpkin was all it took and he would be going within minutes.

First, tell her to find a new pediatrician, not going for three or four days is the limit. If a baby doesn't go longer than that there could be damage to the bowel tract or worse. I would suggest a trip to the ER for an x-ray or sonogram to make sure there isn't blockage in her intestine or bowel tract. One of my twins was constipated because of the type of formula we had to use for his allergies to milk proteins. I used Gerber's prunes baby food. I would feed it straight or mix it into some of his foods. Stay away from bananas and rices. I would mix the prune puree into oatmeal. I also purchased small bottles of prune juice and mixed it with other beverages. I even went as far as buying soy ice "cream" and letting it melt some and then mixing the prunes in with it and refreeze it a bit to feed it to him. It usually took a day or so but he would go easily after that. I too have been told to try a teaspoon of mineral oil, but never did. I hope this helps. Also if you find something herbal make sure that the mom checks with the pediatrician before she uses it, some just aren't okay for little children, especially 18 month olds!

1) She really should try for a second opinion. Or push her doctor for a better solution.

2) It is not normal to go that long with constipation.

3) I have a very close friend who has dealt with this issue in her daughter from a very young age. Her peds has her on a liquid Rx mixed in with her milk to help things along when needed. She has also had to use suppositories many, many times. Very unpleasant, is when they have needed to go in to (drs. office or ER) have it unimpacted. Her daughter has gastro issues that has kept her from growing on tract. She will be 4 years old in July and weighs 23 lbs, she is also very small for height too. But .... her drs have always and are continuing to work with them in finding the right solution.

My daughter age 10 now has always had constipation issues. When it is really bad we have used the Fleet enema. It seems a little gross but the relief from the pain and discomfort is almost immediate. Also, for daily maintence we use a fibe powder like metumucell and fiber one. These powders are white and completely tastless and can be added to anything. Sprinkled over any food and they will mealt and be undetectable or of course into any drink. If you don't see any improvment I would push your Dr to run some more conclusive tests.

T.

Just remember that banana's, rice, applesauce and toast causes constipation. Prune juice is the best and yogurt,
like Dan Active keeps the intestines healthy. And of course anything with fiber making sure she is drinking plenty!!!
Water is best!
I love the Lord too!

I think I would find another pediatrician.

As for the constipation, add more fiber into the child's diet.

When my child isn't having her regular BMs, about once a day, I give her prunes as her fruit.

Bananas can be constipating, so I avoid them when this occurs. I regularly feed my daughter pears with her cereal and other high fiber fruit.

J.,
Tell your friend not to let her go 2 weeks without a bowel movement. First, add more fruit in her diet like grapes, and apples. Do not feed her bananas, this will add to her problem. If that does not help, a tsp of mineral oil or a child laxative may be needed. Try not to do this too much though because the bowels may become dependent on the laxative. If she is at all potty trained sit her on the toilet every couple of days and tell her to try to go. If not just change her diet to friuts and vegetables to soften her stool and if she doesn't go within a week take her to the doctor or the ER to get an opinion on what is going on. I would say that she needs a second opinion from the first doctor.

What about prune juice or Karo syrup in her bottle. That usually helps my 3 1/2 month old.
I agree with the others, she may need a 2nd opinion. This doesn't seem normal!

I have a 4 year old that dealt with constipation all the time as a baby. We found that adding a couple tablespoons of Karo Syrup to her bottle helped tremendously. This was recommended to us by her pediatrician, and it really worked!!!