Serious Constipation Problem

Updated on April 22, 2008
B.W. asks from Washington, DC
20 answers

I have a 9 month old that is having a major constipation problem. She drinks Prosobee and has been having he problem off and on since birth. Now that she is old enough to work those muscles down there she is straining to not go. I am afraid for her. People say it could be the soy formula because I give her fresh veggies, juice and water. Someone told me Pedialyte may help. Ihave tried Karo Syrup..did nothing. Any suggestions?? Thank..

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So What Happened?

Wow, I was amazed at how many Mom's have had this same problem. I thought maybe it was just me and my little one. So, thank each and everyone of you for taking time out to responde. I called my Ped and she did not call me back, so on our way home from work I stopped by our Pharmacist and he recommended that I give her a Baby Lax Glycerin Supposotory. I used it when we got home and she went in about 30 minutes with no trouble. She ate a good dinner, played and slept well. I would not normally have given her that without speaking with her Ped, but she as been like that for almost a week and I could only imagine how she was feeling. Will let you guys know what the Ped recommends and what the results are. Again, thanks soooo much for your advice.

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M.D.

answers from Pittsburgh on

Mineral Oil in her liquids will make her go with ease. Trust me both o my children had this problem and it works wonders just on tablespoon is all you need and she won't know it in the liquid because you can't taste it.

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A.L.

answers from Pittsburgh on

Hello, B.
Avoid juice,water is better, no spinach,no aples o bananas, try Papaya this is wonderful fruit and masages her tommy with worm water and a washcloth.I Had a lots babys with thah problem in my Day care and this the way always I helps all the parents.
I hope you baby fell beter
A.

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H.

answers from Pittsburgh on

When my kids started on cereal, they had a few issues. Like someone else said, iron is usually the problem. Our ped suggested giving them dark brown sugar mixed with water - make it into juice and offer it in a bottle or whatever she'll drink it from. You can also add a bit to her cereal for a new flavor and to combat the iron in it. it seemed to work for both of ours. You can also just go with prune juice as it's basically the same idea. We used that as well. This was never an ongoing problem for us. Of course, mine were breastfed so I think that cuts down the problems. I would at least check in with your ped about it on the the phone and see if they want to see her. It never hurts to call during office hours for a phone consult. Mine are always happy to do it and they can judge if I need to take them in to be seen and how soon. It really helps with peace of mind for me to know I've gotten prof advice and I'm not overlooking anything.

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C.G.

answers from Allentown on

Talk to your doctor and see if maybe you can add some mineral oil into the baby's diet. It works well for us, but my daughter was older when we started using that with her.
Good luck!

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K.S.

answers from Washington DC on

Baby food pears used to work miracles for my first-born. If that doesn't work take her to a pediatric gastroenterologist.

Also, don't emphasize it verbally to her.

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J.P.

answers from Philadelphia on

My daughters pediatrician said pear juice works really good for that

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M.M.

answers from Williamsport on

Hi there. My daughter, now almost 2, was the same way. I had gotten one of those baby containers that u can put real frout in it and the baby chews on it and gets the juice and not the skin of the fruit. I put in a few grapes and let her chew on it until she didnt want it anymore and within an hour constipation no more. I still keep up on the fruit everyday now that she is aloud to eat them normally, lol. And she liked the Prune-Apple baby Juice. I hope it works for you.

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D.B.

answers from Dover on

Hi B.,

I recommend the Gerber apple prune juice or the prunes in the baby food jar.

D.

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A.L.

answers from York on

Hi, My son had this problem and I would suggest getting to the Dr soon. We waited and tried to fix it ourselves with a high fiber diet and lots of water and even Benefiber, but it didn't do a lot becuase he was already very good at holding it in. I had to use an enema to get him cleaned out. We had to go to Myrolax (sp?) a prescription stool softner for kids. It has been the only thing to help, but we are still working on the mental issues the constipation has caused. I would get the constipation under control as fast as I could so your daughter doesn't develope a fear of going. I am not saying your daughter will have the same issues as my son, but it something to keep in mind. My son was breastfed, so sometimes it is just the their systems are. Good luck!

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T.R.

answers from Allentown on

Argh. I have been dealing with this with my son too. We started on plain Enfimil after nursing - TOTALLY constipated... in the end we ended up on Prosobee also. We introduced milk based items slowly and he was doing fine. We had even started mixing milk/formula (still soy formula) and he was doing fine... then whamo. Back to TOTAL constipation last week (one very long night). A little prune juice w/warm water did wonders and we have removed straight milk again (he does fine w/cheese, yogurt, etc). One suggestion - take her temperature the old fashion way - rectally (if she'll stay still for you). (It stimulates the muscles and gets her working in reverse.)

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S.

answers from Pittsburgh on

When my daughter was a baby she had very hard stools and would get constipated. My pediatrician recommended giving her lots of apricots. This didn't solve the problem completely but it did help.

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B.P.

answers from Philadelphia on

Exercise.....take her for a walk (she must walk)weather you are holding her hands or she walks alone.. do squats with her, have her lay on her back and hold her feet do the bicycle exercise... make a routine, show her you can do it and she will mimic you. Not only will this help her have a b m, the two of you will bond even more. It will take time to build a routine and to get her regular, but stick it out. And as you are doing, plenty of clear water. If her bowls are absorbing more fluids (which is their job) than she is taking in, this can cause constipation, so make sure she is drinking the proper amount of water. With you exercising with her now, she will learn a good habit for life and exercise really helps with the b m. Remember, a bowl movement does not have to happen everday, regular is different for all folks. Don't let it go more than 3 days, if it does - use a medication reccomended by your pediatrician.
Good Luck.

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M.R.

answers from Pittsburgh on

My daughter had the same problem with prosobee! Her bowel movements were always a little hard. She needed prosobee because of allergies, so I asked her doctor about it, and she said when it's really difficult, or it seems like she's holding it in to use a glycerin suppository cut in half. i hated doing it, but it worked. I only had to do it twice, and she's 16 mths old now.

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S.H.

answers from Washington DC on

My son was the same way. Have you tried prune juice? Just mix it 1/2 water and 1/2 juice. It worked great for him.

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W.Y.

answers from Scranton on

My daughter was constipated nearly from birth. It was a vicious cycle...it hurt to go, she'd hold it...it got harder...it hurt to go...she'd hold it etc. Every 3 days after an exhausting crying fit, she'd fall asleep, get a suppository, poop and life would be good again. We tried every laxative, best was senokot liquid in milk, kinda chocolaty. The day she potty trained was the last day of constipation. Saved on diapers with only pooping every 3 days tho..lol! Good luck! W.

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C.C.

answers from Dover on

any kind of formula is known to cause constipation because of the insane amount of iron added to it.

fortunately my son has never been constipated, he is breastfeed though.

she is old enough for rasins so i would try that. my son LOVES them and they go straight through him. don't ever give juice straight, always dilute it. the juice could be also cause her to be constipated. how much does she get of it? try diluted prune juice. plums (fresh and dried) are also good for constipation.

why did you try karo syrup? how long has she been constipated for? pedialyte wont help for constipation, it helps for hydration.

good luck!

about constipation
http://www.askdrsears.com/html/8/t081100.asp

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N.R.

answers from Pittsburgh on

My son was the KING of constipation. I would try the lower iron version of the formula. That was our issue. He never had a easy time with his bowels.

Good Luck

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N.S.

answers from Washington DC on

Have you tried Glycerine tablets? Cut one in half and insert rectally. If not try the liquid Fleet. My daughter is 8 months now and had the same problem when she was getting used to eating baby food. Her bowels are fine now, we also give her baby prunes on occasion to keep her regular, but we still keep the Fleet in the medicine cabinte just in case. Good Luck. And always, consult your pediatrician before you try any kind of natural or medical remedy for constipation. Their systems are so fragile at this point in their lives.

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H.B.

answers from Pittsburgh on

My son is 9 months old also. He had a problem w/constipation for a couple weeks. We ended up taking him to the doctors to get an enema. I've been giving him apple prune juice since then and haven't had any problems. (gerber makes it in the 4 oz bottles) I try to give him one bottle a day.

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K.B.

answers from Washington DC on

I am a 42 yr. old second time aroung mom also(my firstborn is 22 yrs old)...and my world has changed alot as well..ha ha. Anyway..I have always given her a bit of the baby prunes w/ apples or just the prunes and she would always go no later than the next day w/ no problem.(like about 1/2 a jar). Also Ive heard not to give apple juice or bananas because they make it worse..
God bless, Kathy

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