Bowel Movement Problems

I think one month old is way too young to have constipation problems, and you should probably seek out a specialist. Is there any way you can pump and feed her breastmilk? It is a natural laxative and easily digested. My next suggestion would be the karo syrup in water. That worked for my babies when they had constipation after they started solids, but they were nursing and didn't have any constipation issues before that.

You may want to get your pediatrician to refer you to a pediatrcian GI doctor. Having a specialist look into the problem may help. We put both my daughters on GoodStart formula (then at age 1 switched to GoodStart 2). Both girls get prune juice with breakfast every day. Also, we give both girls Miralax (per our pediatric GI doctor). Miralax is the safest laxative since it stays in the colon and does not cross the blood/brain barrier. It does take 3-5 days to begin working. This has made a huge difference for our girls.
Good luck.

I have three children 9, 7 and 11months all were formula feed and all had problems with bowel movements. I personally went with the advice from my mother and grandmother and did the old school remedy which is dark karo syrup in the bottle and when it was really bad i used childrens suppositories to get them going. my friend recently had a baby and he had problems and nurse p. told her to use karo in the formula 2 to 3 times a day and a small apple juice bottle like 1 ounce or something. also warm baths and massaging the tummy and lifting the legs and bending them back against the tummy helps. hope this helps.

Hi S.;

I have 3 girls, now 15, 12 and 7 that ALL had constipation problems. My 7 year old still struggles with it. Anyway, one thing that I found was very helpful was very simple - have her drink just plain water every day, and lots of it. Also, do not feed her "C.R.A.B..." Carrots, Rice, Apples and Bananas, as these are "binding" foods. If she is straining, it is probably because the rectal muscles are not fully developed and functional yet (not to mention it is hard for anyone to get impacted, hard stuff out). Babies don't always know exactly how to have a bowel movement and how to use the rectal muscles to push it out...sometimes it just doesn't happen naturally. You can help stimulate those muscles your baby needs to use to push out the stool. When you see her straining, use a Q-tip with vaseline or Desitin on the end of it, and gently insert the tip into into her rectum and twist it/move it around very gently. You will get a feel for what works. It stimulates the rectal muscles the baby needs to use, and worked extremely well for 2 of my children (my 7 year old's problems started later). My pediatrician (who is THE BEST) showed me this, and it helped SO MUCH - I was so relieved that I could help my babies, and they were even more relieved!!! It is so hard seeing our babies struggle - I hope this helps your little angel.

Here's a few things to try if you haven't already. 1) massage your baby's tummy in a clockwise motion. 2)move your baby's legs in a bicycle motion, forward and backwards. 3)push your baby's knees into her tummy. If these don't work (or other suggestions that you recieve), you may want to talk to your pediatrian about it. Good luck!

My son was constipated from about 1 month old as well, and his pediatrician said to give him 1/2 ounce of prune juice mixed with 2 ounces of water (once in the morning and once at night). This worked well and he never had to take any medication. Also be sure to mix the formula exactly and not make it too thick or too thin. My little one had constipation problems until he was 9 months old; until then he had to have prune juice every day. Check with your doctor, though.

Hi S.,
Try adding a little baby applesauce to her bottle. When my little one wasn't pooping very regularly, I got worried, too. I drank apple juice (she is beastfed)and worked like a charm. Of course, it works for me, personally - so, maybe whatever works for you if you don't feel well...a little juice or something. And I think, check with your dr before you give someone so young fruit. Good luck. I know this is tough.