Need help with what to do with a constipated infant?
We have an infant here who’ll be 3 weeks old tomorrow.
(He was born Nov 24, 3 weeks premature)
He’s having a lot of trouble pooing, he’s trying to push, but he’s getting a little frustrated. Is there anything we can do to help him get it out?
Also; he has a twin brother who’s growing a lot faster than him, is it normal for him to not be growing as fast?
When my daughter was about 1 weeks old she was constipated too. I called the nurse’s station @ our local hospital and talked to an old nurse. She told me to put a teaspoonful of dark Karo syrup in her next bottle. I did and she was pooping that very afternoon. If you are skeptical about taking this advice, call your nurses station or even consult your doctor and take their advice. They say baby stools vary greatly, my doctor told me not to worry if my daughter hadn’t defecated in 3 days. This didn’t sit well with me, how would he like to be in that much discomfort? Good luck!
December 23rd, 2009 at 1:12 pm
You can give your baby a little sugar in a warm bottle of water, and when you see him trying to push, help him by pushing his legs slowly up to his chest. A warm bath may also do the trick. Also, just rubbing the babies belly might help loosen some of it up. Good luck!
References :
December 23rd, 2009 at 1:50 pm
Act like you’re taking his rectal temperature. Put a small amount of lubricant on the thermometer and rotate it in small circles. That should do the trick.
References :
December 23rd, 2009 at 2:18 pm
When my daughter was about 1 weeks old she was constipated too. I called the nurse’s station @ our local hospital and talked to an old nurse. She told me to put a teaspoonful of dark Karo syrup in her next bottle. I did and she was pooping that very afternoon. If you are skeptical about taking this advice, call your nurses station or even consult your doctor and take their advice. They say baby stools vary greatly, my doctor told me not to worry if my daughter hadn’t defecated in 3 days. This didn’t sit well with me, how would he like to be in that much discomfort? Good luck!
References :
December 23rd, 2009 at 2:47 pm
When both of my kids were little, they both got constipated a lot. My pediatrician told me to put 1oz of prune juice with 3 oz of water to see if it would help. Within a couple of hours, my babies were able to have a BM. The baby doesn’t have to drink the whole 4oz bottle, half of that will do. It’s safe for baby’s stomach and it’s better than trying to use any medicine.
As for your baby’s growth, babies all grow at different rates. He may be just a little bit behind his brother but as he gets older, they will both be about the same in terms of growth and development.
Hope this helps and Happy Holidays to your family =D
References :
mom of 2 with 1 due in feb
December 23rd, 2009 at 3:26 pm
My daughter is now 7 months but around 1-2 mos. old she was having trouble too. If your son is formula fed I would try adding 1/2 oz of water extra to ONE of his bottles.
We were told to add 1 oz extra twice a day so instead of feeding her 4 oz water and two scoops of formula we did 5 oz of water to the two scoops. She was full term though, so i don’t know if him being a preemie makes a difference so i would recommend a 1/2 oz of extra water once or twice a day.(constipation occurs because their intestine isn’t absorbing enough water) . We were also told to try using glycerin suppositories. They sell ones for children, they’re still pretty big so the doc said to cut it up into three small pieces and insert only one piece. Those never worked for us because they just push and shoot it out of the bottom so you have to use your finger and block their hole. (I’m not kidding). We also used a thermometer a couple times which i’m sure you’ve heard of. We were told that is the last thing we should try because their little bodies will get used to having help pushing out the poop and wont learn to function on their own. If None of those work your doc can prescribe lactulose and that works like a charm! The water usually does it though. If someone recommends prunes baby food or prune juice DONT do it. It will relieve your son but it will make his poop come out wet and gritty for a day or two. It hurts their insides.
I wouldn’t be worried about one son growing faster than the other. I’m obviously not an expert but mom’s are always told not to compare your baby to another or even to another sibling because each baby is different. I used to use online infant growth charts to ease my worries but it doesn’t take place of your pediatricians thoughts on the subject.
HOPE IT HELPS AND GOOD LUCK
References :
December 23rd, 2009 at 3:34 pm
when people say to put a little sugar and mix it with water dont use the regular sugar use brown sugar it works like a molases. my son had the same troubles. you can try a lil prune juice mixed with water. you can also hold his legs back towards his chest. you can also use the thermomator and that usual helps too.
References :
December 23rd, 2009 at 3:43 pm
Without adding anything to his diet.. massage his belly in a clockwise motion in a backwards "C" motion.
References :