Constipation in Infants: Causes & Treatments

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Constipation in Infants: Causes & Treatments
« on: September 07, 2006, 10:22:44 PM » by cjanderin

Hi
A friend of mine has a 7month old boy who has been formula-fed from birth and has had on and off constipation problems his whole short little life. He started on solids at 6months but the constipation is getting worse - he poops once or twice a day but they are hard little pellets and it often causes tears and bleeding.
Does anyone have some solutions? I read some other posts on constipation but the children were mainly older and were able to eat more foods.
As he is only 7months old, he is really only eating apple, banana, pear, kumara (I think it's called sweet potato?? in America?? not sure?) and baby rice.
The usual options haven't worked - brown sugar and water, prune juice (he's drinking up to half a cup a day with no results), and all the prescriped medicines are making no difference.

Is a 7month old allowed cod-liver oil and would it work? And how much?
What else could they try?
Being in NZ, I don't think we can get the Tummy Tune-Up or any of the other products from Beeyoutiful. I just need some miracle food, suitable for a baby, that will help him out!

Thanks

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Re: Constipation in Infants: Causes & Treatments
« Reply #1 on: September 07, 2006, 10:32:10 PM » by bendeleboysmama

My son was the same way until he was about 9 months and then I found out that he probably wasn't getting enough Plain water. I also started giving him acidophilus in his food and mixed in plain yogurt. Formulas have ALOT of iron in them and my midwife told me it's best to find one without iron(I couldn't nurse-sadly birth defect) We made our own formula out of Evap Milk, Dark Karo and water. Then we added our own baby vitamins. This did ALOT for the constipation because it didn't have the extra Iron in it. My midwife said that the iron is because most people do not let the cord "bleed out" before clamping and cutting and the baby loses alot of iron this way. I don't know...just an idea. My poor little red faced baby turned into a regular 3 year old boy now...Healthy as a horse...

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Re: Constipation in Infants: Causes & Treatments
« Reply #2 on: September 08, 2006, 08:18:19 AM » by SarahK

We had a little one (somewhere between 6 & 9 months in my memory) that had constipation problems for a month. I gave him molasses (1-2 Tb) mixed with... uh... I think it was my home-made grain cereal. Probably either mashed cooked rice or boiled flour of oats, wheat or some other grain I had around. Essentailly, the molasses was the key and I just mixed it with something thicker to make it 'spoonable'. We did this 2 times a day when he hadn't pooped for 2 days and he usually had a very messy, sweet smelling smush for us in a day.

Took me a while to like Molasses Cookies again though-
Sarah K

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Re: Constipation in Infants: Causes & Treatments
« Reply #3 on: September 08, 2006, 09:40:30 AM » by dara

She may wish to consider taking the banana out of his diet, and maybe the apples too- it makes no sense to me, but my constipation-prone babies got plugged eating applesauce! Also, I give my babies powdered slippery elm mixed with pureed fruit or sweet potatoes (with added water) and a little molasses. Slippery elm is an herb that is nutritious like a super baby food (I don't have written doc. on that, but my midwife said it), so it is safe to feed them up to a couple tablespoons a day with no problem. I told this to a friend of mine with a three month old, and she made a watery mixture and gave it to her baby with a dropper. The baby filled her britches within a half an hour (she used just SE and water and molasses).

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Re: Constipation in Infants: Causes & Treatments
« Reply #4 on: September 08, 2006, 10:54:13 AM » by healthybratt

I would try the probiotics (acidophilus or Tummy Tuneup) and if you have a need for a quick fix, corn syrup always worked for my babies. Corn syrup is all sugar so if he has yeast problems, this would not be helpful to his digestive situation in the long run.

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Re: Constipation in Infants: Causes & Treatments
« Reply #5 on: September 08, 2006, 11:23:01 AM » by dara

Molasses is the typical health nut alternative to corn syrup.

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Re: Constipation in Infants: Causes & Treatments
« Reply #6 on: September 08, 2006, 12:40:46 PM » by healthybratt

Quote from: dara on September 08, 2006, 11:23:01 AM

Molasses is the typical health nut alternative to corn syrup.

Nice to know Wink

Thanks.

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Re: Constipation in Infants: Causes & Treatments
« Reply #7 on: December 21, 2006, 11:44:55 AM » by Mamato6

My DD is 7 months old and has a problem if I drink cows milk. I drank some 3 weeks ago and she has not had a BM since then. Also on Sun. her aunt gave her a think of yogurt to eat. Is there anything I can do for her. I am a little conserned for her as she is fussy and normally she is a very contented baby.
In HIS keeping,
Michelle

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Re: Constipation in Infants: Causes & Treatments
« Reply #8 on: December 21, 2006, 12:19:41 PM » by Charis

My son had a problem with me drinking cow's milk while breastfeeding. It made him very cranky and bms were infrequent. 3 weeks however is a very long time. I would try a gentle warm water enema. I use a bulb syringe with vaseline on the end. Make sure not to release the bulb until you remove it completely. If there is no action I would try once more. If there is still no action it could be a sign of a serious condition. Also dehydration can cause hard stools so plenty of water is good. I've also used glycerin suppositories. They work very well. You can get them at walmart. They have them for infants. The also have preloaded tink bulb syringes with liquid glycerin. I actualy liked those better because they got faster results. Pears, prunes, and oatmeal are good for constipation. Hope some of this helps.

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Re: Constipation in Infants: Causes & Treatments
« Reply #9 on: December 21, 2006, 01:24:58 PM » by Melie

I had this happen with my daughter when she was under 1 year. I don't remember how long it lasted but I know I was really worried and asking questions at two weeks. I had a feeling that she was going to explode when we were out somewhere. Both her Dr. and a trusted friend reassured me that sometimes breastfed babies just go through a time of growth and use everything they take in. When she finally did poop it was clear that that was all that was going on. It was not a big poop and it was a perfectly normal consistency. I don't think she was particularily fussy during that time though so you might want to keep looking in to it just to be safe.

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Re: Constipation in Infants: Causes & Treatments
« Reply #10 on: December 21, 2006, 01:41:13 PM » by chopchop

Quote from: Mamato6 on December 21, 2006, 11:44:55 AM

My DD is 7 months old and has a problem if I drink cows milk. I drank some 3 weeks ago and she has not had a BM since then. Also on Sun. her aunt gave her a think of yogurt to eat. Is there anything I can do for her. I am a little concerned for her as she is fussy and normally she is a very contented baby.
In HIS keeping,
Michelle

If DD hasn't had a bowel movement in 3 weeks, all the good foods to loosen things up won't take care of a hard plug that has most likely formed just inside. That is going to have to come out before she can go normally again.
I too, have dairy allergy kids and one of them responded just this way. I kept a bottle of "Intestinal Corrective Formula" around for those scenarios where "someone fed them dairy, and was sure a little wouldn't matter" Sad

The ingredients of this tincture are California Fig, Cascara Sagrada aged bark, Senna leaf and Pod, Anise extract, Clove Extract and Tangerine Oil. For every 10-25 lbs of body weight you use between 1/8 and 1/4 tsp.
You probably don't have this around and this probably won't be enough to take care of something that has gone that long. But you might consider stocking some for future use. I would use it anytime it has been more than two days. Here is what I have done, Get the pediatric glycerin suppositories or cut the ends of regular size ones and just use the tip part (equal to about 1/2 of the suppository) Insert and gently push in a bit of a ways using a cotton swab. If you don't get any results, try gently going around the inside with the lubricated cotton swab, and sliding the swab in and out. This works by stimulating her to make a bowel movement. Encourage her verbally while you do this.
If still no success, you will need to lubricate a cotton swab or use, gloved and lubricated finger and gently remove the plug. Shocked

It sounds gross but that is exactly what the doctor would do if you take her in. Be as gentle as possible, usually you will only get little pieces out at a time. Keep encouraging her verbally to go using whatever terminology you normally would. Don't be shocked if you get a little pink, as you are dealing with a very sensitive area, but you don't want it to be truly bleeding, that would mean tear not just mild abrasion. Be gentle but do what you need to do.
Hope she feels better soon!

« Last Edit: December 21, 2006, 02:07:27 PM by chopchop »
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Re: Constipation in Infants: Causes & Treatments
« Reply #11 on: December 21, 2006, 02:24:58 PM » by hedy

Our son had constipation problems when he was very young. Many stores (like Walmart) carry a product called "Babylax," It is glycerin just like suppositories but in a liquid form that you squirt in. It is easier to administer than solid suppositories and you don't have to wait for them to melt. We had problems with our baby pushing them out before they had a chance to melt.

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Re: Constipation in Infants: Causes & Treatments
« Reply #12 on: December 21, 2006, 02:32:45 PM » by RB

« Reply #3 on: Today at 12:41:13 PM » by chopchop

Quote

Hi, I'm interested in knowing where I can get this tincture? We have a two year old that suffers constipation when he eats some forms of dairy. We use goat milk and he's fine with that. The problem I have is making sure he doesn't eat dairy at social gatherings. Wink

Thanks,
RB

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Re: Constipation in Infants: Causes & Treatments
« Reply #13 on: December 21, 2006, 02:39:48 PM » by Mamato6

We are on the back side of the wilderness so running in to town is not an option. I do have glycerin on hand though Can I make a suppository out of that.

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Re: Constipation in Infants: Causes & Treatments
« Reply #14 on: December 21, 2006, 02:54:58 PM » by hedy

Quote from: Mamato6 on December 21, 2006, 02:39:48 PM

We are on the back side of the wilderness so running in to town is not an option. I do have glycerin on hand though Can I make a suppository out of that.

This might help: http://www.regaininghealthnaturally.com/Herbs_as_Medicine/How_to_Make_Suppositories.shtml

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Re: Constipation in Infants: Causes & Treatments
« Reply #15 on: December 21, 2006, 04:04:30 PM » by dara

In the past I have just used straight glycerine and a blue baby syringe (like for clearing babies' noses) with lubracant on the tip. I just sterilized it with bleach water before and after.

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Re: Constipation in Infants: Causes & Treatments
« Reply #16 on: December 22, 2006, 06:26:54 AM » by chopchop

Quote from: RB on December 21, 2006, 02:32:45 PM

« Reply #3 on: Today at 12:41:13 PM » by chopchop

Quote

Thanks,

RB,

RB, This is where I got mine.
Schmucker's Botanicals
- 826 Hwy F Jamesport, MO 64648
IMO, Schmucker's Botanicals is a "generic" version of "Dr. Schulze's" Formulas. I haven't been disappointed with anything so far.
Mail order only, I believe that this is run by someone who is Amish or something of that genre. Anyway, they don't do phone or web orders. HTH!

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Re: Constipation in Infants: Causes & Treatments
« Reply #17 on: December 22, 2006, 07:07:16 AM » by RB

Thanks Chopchop!
Blessing's,
RB

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Re: Constipation in Infants: Causes & Treatments
« Reply #18 on: December 22, 2006, 08:05:33 PM » by Mamato6

Praise the Lord. The little one passed all of the plug today. I thought I would let her go one more day before I intervened and she went on her own. But if it happens again I will know what to do.

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Re: Constipation in Infants: Causes & Treatments
« Reply #19 on: December 22, 2006, 10:11:03 PM » by ShabbyChic

So did you end up making a suppository, mamato6? There is NO WAY my kids would sit through an enema, but I can manage a suppository. The OTC ones are too harsh in my opinion and I was wondering if I could make them as smoothly. I used to mix all kinds of things when I worked in a pharmacy, but never those. Shocked

I usually end up giving them lots of fruits, but then I have to watch to make sure their bottoms don't get irritated.

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Re: Constipation in Infants: Causes & Treatments
« Reply #20 on: February 02, 2007, 01:25:22 PM » by thatgirl

Help! My 4 1/2 month old is constipated. He is crying and strains sooo hard to poop. He fusses and fusses until he can get it out. I was breast feeding him until about 8 weeks, when he was way underweight because my milk supply was really poor. I tried EVERYTHING to increase it, but it never worked. So now he is on mostly goat's milk and about 1 feeding from me a day. Can I give him anything to help him get the poop out? There is also a smidgen of blood in his stool that I think is from straining so much. Please help. I feel so helpless.

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Re: Constipation in Infants: Causes & Treatments
« Reply #21 on: February 02, 2007, 01:49:59 PM » by SarahK

Quote from: thatgirl on February 02, 2007, 01:25:22 PM

When my littlest ones are constipated, I do a few things.

First, I get them in a warm bath ... if they are a child that likes that. (I have some that hate it so I skip that step if they do.) When relaxed in the tub, I gently rub their tummy in a circling pattern Clockwise. That's the way the colon runs in there. Sometimes the movement from outside gets things going inside.

Next, I'll give them molasses water. 1 tsp of molasses is an OK start, but it may be as much as 1 Tb for some kids.

I think you're right about the blood being from straining. The tiny vessels there can bleed with straining. It's not dangerous at this point, just unsettling.

There are also some idea in this topic...Constipation in Children.

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Re: Constipation in Infants: Causes & Treatments
« Reply #22 on: February 02, 2007, 02:43:04 PM » by Ami H.

I agree with Sarah. When my babies have been constipated I give them a nice warm bath. Then find a nice warm spot in the house, usually in front of the wood stove, and give them a massage with lotion. They may fuss at first, but they usually end up really enjoying it, especially all the attention if nothing else. Massage everything toward the bowels. I actually took a baby massage class one time just for fun, it was just one evening. But basically just do a good gentle rub and go from the toes toward the thigh and hands to the shoulders, chest to the abdomen, you get the idea. I like the Johnson's bedtime lotion for this because it smells like lavender and chamomile, but I am sure there is some sort of all natural alternative for this. This usually works, then I go for the molasses and if not that apple or prune juice. Depending on age etc. We ended up having to feed our daughter goat milk from about 6 months to about a year old. She did much better on it than formula especially when it came to constipation. For a while, we just ended up giving her a little molasses everyday once of twice in her regular bottle just to help regulate that and that was perscribed by the dr. Actually he perscribed Karo syrup, we used molasses.

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Re: Constipation in Infants: Causes & Treatments
« Reply #23 on: February 02, 2007, 06:04:53 PM » by SC

When this happens to my little guys I know they haven't been drinking enough and are dehydrated.

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Re: Constipation in Infants: Causes & Treatments
« Reply #24 on: February 02, 2007, 06:12:41 PM » by mexmarr

I also had a little one get severely constipated with goat's milk, too. IMO, goats milk the next best to mother's milk. Two changes did wonders! First, I dilutes the milk a little more and had her drink more, so she got the same nutrients, but more water. (The dehydration issue, like SC mentioned). And we also added molassas several times a day, as was also mentioned. This cured all problem!

And in the meantime, the massage sure did help give some relief.

Now I am wondering why I am even posting.... All my advice had already been given by others. But sometimes it is nice to know that others have, "been there, done that."

I hope that these ideas work for you. It hurts so much to see out little ones hurting!

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Re: Constipation in Infants: Causes & Treatments
« Reply #25 on: February 02, 2007, 09:28:10 PM » by Myjoy

Quote from: thatgirl on February 02, 2007, 01:25:22 PM

I read your post and immediately thought about Nourishing Traditions by Sally Fallon. Do you have this book or have you heard of it? It has a great section on Feeding Babies that was very helpful to me with my own baby. On page 602 she warns against feeding babies goat's milk because although it has good fat, it lacks some of the essential nutrients that baby's need for growth and development. You may want to check out this valuable resource.

I would also second the posts on massaging the baby's abdomen. That worked wonders for us with our little guy.

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Re: Constipation in Infants: Causes & Treatments
« Reply #26 on: February 12, 2007, 09:47:21 PM » by TJ

My 8 month old struggles with his bowel movements. He's eating solids ( mostly fruits and veggies) 3 times a day and nurses inbetween.
His doctor perscribed a laxative and said if that doesn't work to bring him in for another check up.
I'd like to know why someone on a mostly fruit and veggies diet could be constipated??
anyone ever experience this with their kids?
would love to hear what you learned.
thanks

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Re: Constipation in Infants: Causes & Treatments
« Reply #27 on: February 12, 2007, 11:09:01 PM » by Kari

My infant was constipated and after trying many natural, herbal, cleansing things I got results with laying him on his tummy on a flat diaper and inserting a glycerin suppository into his rectum. (I cut the suppository in half or fourths lengthwise). Almost immediate poop came out. Just the stimulation allowed the poop to come out (not any softening affect of the suppository). THis process continued several times a day for a week or two (and continued to be the only poop I saw all day); then he started pooping on his own and then never another problem six years later.

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Re: Constipation in Infants: Causes & Treatments
« Reply #28 on: February 13, 2007, 07:44:17 PM » by LoLFamily

My son, who was exclusively b-fed, struggled with constipation
since he was a little tiny guy. I tried several things but the ONLY
thing that worked and kept him regular was feeding him
homemade cereal (not the boxed kind) based on the
Super Baby Food book. Maybe that is something else that
could be tried?

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Re: Constipation in Infants: Causes & Treatments
« Reply #29 on: February 15, 2007, 10:55:13 AM » by Mrs. Visionary

Do you have to cook the slippery elm before you give it?
I have the powdered bark.
Thanks, Heidi

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