I breastfed for the first month and she had no issues. However, I had to have a minor surgery by emergency and I couldn't breastfeed any longer so she went of formula. It plugged her up instantly. When she poops, it is a hard clumpy log and she bleeds almost every time. She also has hemorrhoids that come out when she poops that go back in when she is done. It is a very painful process for her. I have tried every formula I can think of and she is currently on soy. My mom was telling me that someone from her work makes their own formula with evaporated milk. Does anyone know of this, and if you think it will help her? Or any other suggestions of what we can do? We give her lots of fruit during the day to try and help loosen the stools, we have tried carro syrup, extra water, even prunes. Please help me to help her. The doctor does not seemed concerned, and tells me lots of babies have this problem, and she will grow out of it. I just can't sit back and watch her go through this any longer. She is a happy, healthy baby, and is just a sweetheart. But screams her head off when its time to go potty.
Side note: Sorry, forgot to mention we have to give her liquid suppositories at least once a week for the past 4 months just to get it out.
Thank you all for your advise. Most of we we have tried, but I was able to get a few more tips to try out. I am so grateful for you all, and it is nice to know we are not alone with this problem. I think I may get a second opinion as well.
I don't know if this is too out there for you, but you could always try to relactate. I don't know how long it's been since you breastfed but it would probably really help her. No judgement on stopping but just a thought.
First, have you tried goat's milk? It has all the ingredients a human child needs except folic acid - and that can be supplemented. I had to stop breastfeeding my fourth child at one month and used goat's milk successfully.
Second: There is a wonderful product that has helped babies from newborn on up with a number of health issues. It's called Kids Now. More info on this product http://bit.ly/3maTqM
My son went through this as well, you are not alone. Are you using the karro syrup twice a day for at least 3 days? We would use one tablespoon karro and 2 onces water. By the second day, he was a much happier baby. You might try offering water more often. One of the main reasons for consopation in babies is due to low fluids. You can also try to mix her fruits with the formula to breeak them up a little more and give her a little more hydration. We had such a hard time with this as well. Every baby is differnt. My sons constpation became less and less after we switched bottles to Dr. Browns, formula to Enfamil gentlease, and offered started to offer water sometimes instead of formula.
The bleeding is really a bigger problem though. I would push your doctor for more concern with that.
The best of luck to you! Hang in there.
My son did that a few months ago for a while. We gave him a third of a suppository in the rear twice a day. He was constipated so bad. It was hard as a rock and on top of that the doctor told me he has something called discetia where he doesn't no how to relax his muscles in his butt so he strains out loud and tightens his muscles instead of loosening them and so it is harder for it to come out. Since it is hurting her so bad now she may have started doing that also. But unfortunately they have to grow out of that. Constipation isn't an easy thing to treat. If she hasn't went to a specialist that may be a good idea. My son goes to one and they did a very thorough check on him when he did that. Doctors don't seem to get concerned about constipation unless there is severe weight loss.
apple juice always makes my little girl poop : )
Be careful not to try too much at once, because you may get the opposite desired reaction :)
My first daughter had this same problem and we eventually ended up using suppositories as a means to an end. I did find that switching the formulas made the problem worse because her body couldn't get used to it before I changed it again. I would pick one kind and stick with it, I found Enfamil (or store brand Enfamil) to be the best. The Nestle brand made her even more constipated.
Just keep feeding her a healthy balanced diet of fruits, veggies and grains (rice cereal) and occasionally offer her some apple juice or prune juice. You could also try gerber fruit snacks, or fruit twists. Or even let her suck on frozen fruits (since she is probably also teething)
I would stay away from bananas because they can often increase constipation.
Just remember that a certain degree of constipation is normal, hence your doctors reluctance to show concern. However, bleeding and bowel movements that are too large to pass is NOT normal. If it continues, insist that your doctor acknowledge your concern and give you the guidance every mother deserves as a patient!
I have a recipe for homemade formula that gives all the fats, etc in proportion if you are interested. It contains hemp milk, flax seed oil, and coconut milk.
Also, this is NOT normal. She is probably allergic to casein and soy. Please find a new doctor!!!
Hi,
I'm so sorry your daughter is having such a tough time!
We used Mineral Oil in my daughters tippie cups when she had a tough time. (her trouble came when we switched from breast milk to vitamin d) It helped A LOT!
I also used it with my oldest son when he was a infant. His Dr. had use use Isomil (sp?). Check your forumla to see how much Iron is in it becuase I know that can cause problems too.
I would use about a tablespoon in each cup and it seemed to help.
Good Luck!
I'm so sorry this is happening...we had the same issue w/ our daughter. It's aweful seeing them in pain...But you seem to be doing all the right things- water & fruit. Also, try pear juice - just dilute it w/ water a bit. We used Aquaphor on her bum to soften her skin as well. And eventually, her body adjusted to the extra iron formula and she was fine. So, hang in there...
Hi- My daughter went through this as well and still sometimes has a little trouble going to the bathroom (she is now 14 months old).
I was unable to breastfeed beyond a couple of days and formula really stopped her up. It was horrible hearing her cry and watching her turn red just trying to go potty.
We took her to the doctor several times and each time he would feel her tummy and then tell us he was not concerned. He gave us a tip to try to help her potty though.
He said that the reason she was trying so hard was because she didn't understand that the way to go to the bathroom was to actually relax her muscles rather than tighten them (another person also posted this).
The doctor told us to get her off of the soy formula we were using as it can be harder on the stomach than you might think. We told him that we had already tried Enfamil, Gentle Ease, Nutramigen (per previous doctor orders), and an AF Soy. He put us on the Nestle Good Starts w/Natural Cultures. IT WAS THE ONLY FORMULA THAT DIDN'T STOP HER UP RIGHT AWAY!!!!
The doctor then told us to take a cotton swab and cover it in a moderate amount of vaseline. Insert into the baby's rectum and move gently in a circular motion (not twisting). You will see the baby's rectum start to loosen up and if there is stool there it will just start coming out.
Our doctor had us do this a couple times each day just to make sure there was plenty of lubrication and so she could learn what it felt like to relax her muscles. He also told us that for some babies it is just not normal for them in particular to go to the bathroom two to three times per day. When this started with our daughter we were lucky if she could go every couple of days.
It took a couple months but she can now go to the bathroom by herself without stimulation.
As previously stated, she still sometimes has a hard time but she doesn't cry or turn beet red anymore. We just have to make sure that she gets plenty of fruits/veggies, water, and diluted pear/apple juice.
Please be sure to check with your doctor before deciding if any of this is right for you and your family. This is just what our particular doctor told us to do to help our daughter. Your doctor may recommend something else altogether- especially since your little one already has exhibited symptoms of hemorrhoids.
Good luck and best wishes!
try some karo syrup in her formula or water. that will help her go.
