He Screams and Cries So Hard...?!

I have twins who are two and my son goes through the same thing. He will run around in circles screaming when he poops. I feel so sorry for him. The dr told me to give him mineral oil, yuck. What two yr old is going to take that every day? Anyway, I found plumsmart juice, he loves it! It's in the juice isle and seems to make him regular, yay!

Prunes, Prunes, Prunes. My now 4 yr old started having trouble around 4 months and someoneone suggested them. Worked like a charm. He actually still eats them from time to time.
My 18 month old is still BF and I was never put on an iron supplement. With her I do the prunes and had to occasionally do the suppositories-they make them for infants and work almost instantly. Her doc was going to prescribe a stool softner but then it seemed to get a little better.
Good luck

I had the same problem with my son when we switched from formula to milk. The doctor prescribed Miralax, which is a powder you mix in one of their bottles. It worked great and we ony had to use it a month or two. He was perfectly fine once we stopped using it.

I would definately cut out the iron suppliment or at least space it out to every other day. I know that with my own children apple juice goes straight through them, I also have used the prune juice with my son it didn't work for me but he was only 4 months old and had only every had breast milk. So if your son has had juice he may be a little more into it. I have also had people tell me about the kayro syrup.

Good luck!!

My sisters doctor told her to give bottles with castrol oil and water mixed a couple times a day to help. My son also had minor problems and I gave him just a little bit of prune juice...like teaspoon 2 times daily when he was little. Put it in the dropper and in the back of his mouth. The prune juice hleped him dramatically. My sister...well they are having their own problems remembering to give it to her, so my neice still is unconfortable during bowel movements :(

I am so sorry to hear about your little one's problem! I feel the need to respond b/c my mother actually had the same problem when I was a baby. She breastfed me and the doc asked her to stop drinking milk and eating milk products. I guess I was somewhat milk intolerant at such a young age. He told her "you don't need milk to make milk" and it did help. Maybe you are secreting too much lactose in your milk and it is hurting your little fella. I hope this helps!!! Good luck!
M.

I'm not sure that a Dr would recommend this for a regular thing but once my daughter couldn't get it out and was screaming and a nurse told me to take her rectal thermometer and put some lubricant on it to help it out and it worked. I think that would be ok for a one time thing if it gets too bad. Just a thought.

When my daughter was younger and got constipated quite a bit, I would give her prunes baby food. Luckily she loved them and within a day she was going just fine.

C.
Bryanna (8 years old)

M.,

Check your diet. Are you eating onions, broccoli, cauliflower, and other foods that cause gas. You may need to cut thing out of your diet while you are still nursing.

Good Luck,
Mel

Dear M.,

You poor thing it is so horrible when there is something wrong and you can't fix it for them in that instance.

My nephew who is nine months just went through this problem too, he is strictly on formula though. My sister gave him prune juice mixed with water and if that didn't help she would put a little Karo (clear) syrup in every other bottle. Usually within the day he would go to the bathroom and be a happy little guy again. If you don't give your child a bottle they do make transition sippy cups by Nuk that have a soft spout which are also wonderful. Hope your problem works it self out.

My daughter has suffered from constipation issues since she was about 6 months old. When she was little the doctor has said that we could use the FLEET brand infant enema that worked very well for immediate releif. I eventually had the doctor prescribe LUCOSE it is an extreamly gentle laxitive. It took a couple of days but my daughter now goes with little effort.

I never had problems that drastic, but I do know a few things from my doctor. Your iron supplement for your son will cause constipation. I nursed my daughter for a year and actually only gave into her every other day diluted in juice. (This also is better because it does not taste so awful for your child.) The vitamin C helps break down the iron so it is absorbed. He also said to give her pears and pear juice not diluted. These are natural laxatives. What type of cereal do you give? Rice will bind him up. We always gave oatmeal and still do today. I hope this bit of information works. It has worked for us. Also remember breast fed babies won't poop as often, but it shouldn't be uncomfortable.

Sorry about your baby, I feel your pain(although, haven't had a baby in 8 years, will always remember.) Anyway, the problem is that you were feeding him both breast milk and formula I presume. The exact same thing happened with my fourth child and the doc said apple of prune juice and and either pick formula or the breast, strictly. I picked the formula, Carnation Good Start. It has smaller protein enzymes so they break down easier and much faster than Similac. Hate Similac, didn't use it with any of my five kids after the first one became allergic. He is also old enough to eat jarred food. Just one thing to all the moms that go by doc's orders strictly. ASK YOUR MOTHER WHAT SHE DID OR AN OLDER WOMAN, AND THEY WILL ALL TELL YOU THAT THEY BARELY LISTENED TO THEIR DOC'S. YOU HAVE TO LISTEN TO YOURSELF AND YOUR CHILD. I started feeding ALL of my children table food from my mouth and jarred food at four months old. All of my kids are extremely healthy, only has one cold every 2-3 years. No ear infections, and since I introduced them to vegetables at an early age, they all love just about every vegetable known to man, even brussel sprouts, greens, peas, green beans, broccoli (which is their favorite) so introduce him to good green leafy vegetables from Gerber, his digestive system will become steady in no time. Good luck and let us know how things went.

We had the same problem with our second son, but it started when he was a newborn. Since your son is 8 months, you can give him prunes. We gave our son baby food prunes every day for the first year to help keep him regular. You can add it to cereal or feed it to him straight. Also, our son was on Miralax powder daily. This is a stool softener that is safe for infants. When our son was having this problem, it was prescription, but now you can buy it over the counter. Just find out the dosage from your pediatrician. You can just add it to their bottle or sippy cup.

Poor little guy!! I know what you're going thru... I had the same issues w/ my daughter around that age...

For now I would stay well away from the rice cereal... Try giving him oatmeal baby cereal instead. When you make it, instead of using milk to mix it, use apple juice. Worked like a charm for me. :-)

Best of luck to you!

Your poor little guy, that sounds just awful!!! And poor you, too - watching our babies be in pain can be such a helpless feeling. :(

What about removing the iron supplement? Iron is a known cause of constipation. And as far as other food changes, have you tried removing dairy - and by that I mean not only from his diet (but at 8 months, I can't imagine he's having any cow's milk products just yet?) but also from yours. Dairy is also a known culprit of bowel issues (usually manifests as either constipation or diarrhea).

Congrats on breastfeeding at 8 months - this is *awesome* and so healthy for both of you. When you took him off of all solids and did only breastmilk for 2 weeks, did he still have the same issues w/ pooping?

Here's a link that I use for my kids - it's a well known pediatrician's website, talks about food intolerances and allergies (your guy may be intolerant to something he is eating directly OR to something you're eating that's reaching him via your breastmilk - but this is NOT a reason to stop nursing, just a chance to play detective and eliminate the offending food for a few months until your guy gets a little older):
http://www.askdrsears.com/html/4/T041800.asp#T041803

Hope this helps!

i know my sister-in-law had the same problem with her kids there is a laxative for children it is rootbeer flavored she gives her daughter i do believe giant eagle is the only place to carry it she gives it to her like once every other day and it seems to keep her regular and not in crying pain to go you can also try giving him mineral oil its all natural and will kinda of lube things up has no taste you can slip it into anything he drinks good luck hope he gets over this problem for him and you

I'm sorry to hear about your son's problem. As far as constipation, there are many things that can contribute to the problem. I am surprised the doc won't offer more assistance. First thing is that iron supplements definitely cause constipation. Breast milk, however, is a natural laxative but if you are trying to wean him then giving him bottles of straight water will help develop some regularity. (Timing is important with giving water, so they will still be hungry later.) Bananas, apple sauce and juice, french fries, toast, and rice are good for causing constipation, too.
I am not a doctor, and their advice should surpass any of my weak advice, but I hope this helps.

First I'll mention that I have an 8mo old also who is exclusively breastfed. Contrary to common belief, babies do not need iron supplements--in fact, they are 'protected' from iron issues if exclusively breastfed. I wouldn't give iron supps unless he is iron deficient. Iron can cause constipation--and general tummy issues.
http://www.kellymom.com/nutrition/vitamins/iron.html

Second, I would try a couple of things. First I would stop all solids--solids are only for 'practice' in the first year of life--not to fill baby up, not to get them to 'taste' new foods, not to 'teach them' to eat. Formula or breastmilk should be their main source of food. With that in mind, I would cut out all foods and do BM only for a few weeks to get his system back on track (which it sounds like you were trying). I would also limit my own milk intake--milk (cow milk) is hard on little tummies. It can make you have the runs OR it can constipate you. When my daughter started to wean, we 'upped' her cow milk intake thinking she needed more vitamins (another myth--cow milk isn't the wonder pill/vitamin we all thought it was 20 yrs ago). She got very constipated and ended up with a hernia requiring surgery.
When you get back to giving him solids, I would start one food at a time again...avacados, veggies, fruits--avoid baby cereal--they are basically fillers and are only 'necessary' for formula infants who may truly need more iron (breast milk has little iron, but it is highly absorbable so it doesn't cause tummy issues and constipation...other iron in supplements or cereal or formula is LOTS of iron, but isn't so absorbable, so it can cause constipation etc...)
Lastly, I would give him some water supplements. (not advisable for babies under 6mo, but ok for older babies) And do what we call 'switch nursing' more. Meaning, nurse on one side, then make sure you get that 2nd breast in there for each feeding. (that way baby gets more of the watery foremilk)
More background (and why I'm a bit passionate here) is that not only did my daughter have constipation issues due to cow milk, but my son (going once every 2-3weeks) worried me...so I did lots and lots of research, and saw lots of doctors. Turns out that him taking so long to poop isn't a problem--as long as the poop is soft (it's like melted peanutbutter) and he isn't straining. (BM is a complete food and doesn't create much waste in the older, exclusively bfed infant) I needed to make sure he was getting extra foremilk (thus the switch nursing) and I would give him some water from time to time (AFTER nursing--not to fill him up with it).
I know these issues can be so hard on us mamas! We hate to see our babies sad! :( If you need any other help or support, feel free to call me--just email me for my number! Mom to mom support is invaluable! :)

Hi M.,
Don't give your little guy any more apple juice...the sugar concentration is so high...apples in little pieces are good, of course remove the peel. If you are nursing him, you don't need to add the iron supplement, this will also make the stool hard. If you are going to continue to nurse him, you can try to improve what you are eating so that he gets better nutrition, eating more fiber foods will help too: Leafy green vegetables, fresh fruits, protein from raw nuts, fish, beef, chicken and whole grains. Avoid white breads and sugar cereal.
Juices are higher in sugar content so try limiting those to 100% juice and to once a day and watered down. Breast milk (some children can't digest cow's milk) & filtered water are the better choices, our bodies need water to properly digest and utilize food. If he is still having problems I would suggest taking him 1st to a chiropractor if you have not taken him already, and 2nd to a good Health Food store where they know what works. I have a friend who is a Mid-Wife that would give you more suggestions if you are interested. This is here website: www.freewebs.com/inspiredhealth
Tricia is very knowledgeable and would help you with further questions.
I have also included a story to check out about vaccinations. Please take the time to read it so you can make an informed decision.

http://wbns10tv.com/?sec=news&story=sites/10tv/conten...

Your in my prayers

We had an issue with constipation once (when our baby was 4 months; he is now 6 months) and used the remedy our ped gave us. It worked like a charm.

Get prune juice. You only need to give him 1 ounce of prune juice diluted in 2 ounces of water, twice a day. It took only one day of this to get things moving downstairs. He had two BMs in one day that were, I'm sure quite painful, but then the next diaper was back to normal. We've not had to do this since.

If you are only breastfeeding and your child had never had a bottle, skip the diluted prune juice and just feed him regular prunes (obviously the baby food version).

**someone suggested nuts - no nuts for quite some time! He's too young (8 months) and this could cause allergies, choking, and a myriad of other problems!

I had the same problem with my son when he was about 5-6 months old. I only breast-fed for a short time because he contracted R.S.V. and had to be fed through a feeding tube. Once he recovered, he had difficulties with formula and bowel movements. Prunes helped him a bit but my pediatrician suggested pediatric suppositories to help soften the stool. You can find them at any drug store. I only used them once a day. He was going regularly within a few weeks.

Helpful hint: Cut the suppositories in half (lengthwise) to make it more comfortable for your little one. Good Luck!

Prunes work wonders. They have Stage 2 prunes and plums (I think some are mixed with apple). This always worked for us along with lots of fluids. Good luck--poor guy!

Hi M.,

So sorry that you have to watch your little one in pain. My son went trhough the same thing around 7 months when he was having more solid foods. One home remedy we found helped was dried prunes/dates. Chop them up small and add a little bit of water then cook them slowly just to make them soft. Add more water if too thick and give it to him ust as it is or mix it with yoghurt or cereal. Could also try diluted prune/date juice. This helped my son with in a day or so. Good luck.

Hi M.,

Stick away from rice cereal, pasta etc. Try prunes - i found the gerber second food prunes worked awesome (applesauce too) and I increased the liquids he took!!

Hope your little one gets better soon.

V.

Hi M.,

Although my son hasn't had may constipation issues, when he did, I gave him a Beechnut brand baby food that has Sunsweet Prunes with Pears convined; that did the trick really fast every time, it works even for adults and its tasty.

You can also cook some pureed pears for him and they'te good on their own for constipation also.

Also, make sure to not give him any rice cereal or things containing rice (like rice milk) because it can constipate him. Although he's very young to eat cheese, if you give him any cheese stop that also, since that's another constipation cause.

Good luck!

M., I agree with the pp. My 13 month old is still bf and I have never given her an iron supplement. I do try to offer her iron fortified cereal every day or I offer her other iron fortified foods if I can. That's all I do. Excess iron is extremely constipating and if he's having problems, I'd take him off of it immediately.
Also, my dd was around 8 months when I started giving her finger foods for practice. (We never used stage 3 foods.) One of the first foods I offered her were soft, cooked diced broccoli florets (high in iron), smooshed peas, small diced black beans (high in iron), etc., also all high in fiber foods.
If it helps, my dd had her bloodwork done at 12.5 months and her iron levels were just fine, again, without ever giving her an iron supplement.

Have you tried water? I had similar issue when mine was a baby and the ped recommended water, but no more than four ounces a day. It really made a difference.

Hello M.

I am no doctor but i am a preschool teacher. I have had a few children in my care that have delt with this problem, He has way to much iron in his diet. As he gets older this might not go away and you might have to get a stool softner It is a pill that you can give him every day and once he is two give him skim milk the fat in cows milk sometimes makes the stools hard. Just keep pushing your doctor, lots of children go through this and it dose hurt and he will not want to go and hold it when he gets older ( which makes it worse) My firend even went has far as giving her grandson a diet tea that would clean him out. If you go that way it will blow out of the diaper so be prepared.
good luck
M.

have you tried soy milk
also watch what you drink go to skim milk your self because you are breast feeding. He might be getting to much iron from you

I don't know if someone already mentioned this (didn't read all the responses) but Drs usually put someone on a BRATY diet when you have diarrhea, they will cause constipation. So you need to avoid these: B-bananas, R-rice, A-applesauce, T-toast, and Y-yogurt.

Plus, my pediatrician told some VERY useful advice that's easy to remember. Any fruit juice that begins with "P", will help the baby poop. Especially prune, pear, peach, etc. Same with the actual fruits. My son hates prune juice, but just 6 ounces of pear juice (you can find it in the baby section with the Gerber juices) and he's "regular" again.

Hope that helps! -A.

My oldest daughter had a bad bout with constipation at about 8 months as well. She would scream and cry and the poop was so hard it made her little bottom bleed. :(
What worked for us was plain old fashioned prune juice. Gerber has it in 4 oz individual packs that you can get at any grocery store. I put it in her bottle (even though I was still nursing and she'd never had a bottle before) and it worked after about 2 days. You have to give them a lot to "get the ball rolling," but after it begins to work, it REALLY works. This method came suggested by our pediatrician. Good luck!

Hi M.,

Your poor little guy! My son had similar issues, still does from time to time. Try apricot nectar. I mixed his in a bottle half breast milk/ half AN. It helped wonderfully!

Good luck!

Iron will make you constipated. It makes your stool and urine dark in color. So take him off of the iron. There is plenty of fruits and veggies that you can give him that can increase his iron levels. Good luck

My little one had something similar, he was going only once every 6-7 days. Now that he's on food, it's much better. What I did for him was recommended by a dietician who works in an NICU, this is what they would do for their preemies, adapted to a baby his size - in a 4 oz bottle, I would do about 1/2 oz prune juice and the rest water, then add formula as usual. It looks the color of like a cold frappacino but it worked in like 24 hours. He even liked it! We don't do it anymore since he is more regular, but it got us through....hope this helps!

Babies magic tea was doing wonder to relieve my LO's constipation.

Dr's probably won't tell you this but karo syrup works wonders. I had to put it in my baby bottles or a small bit of water. They will like it cuz it's sweet but it works. Good luck. I usually used a tbsp to a whole 8 oz bottle. Maybe a tsp in a few ounces of water?

Hi I breast feed my daughter too but she had the same problem. Eventually the dr. had me to add a powder substance to the breast milk given to her in a bottle. She is now 2 1/2 and I still have to give her this powder stool softner periodically.Her diet does include vegs a fiber regularly.

I feel very sad for you. This is a hard thing to see your little one screaming and crying so hard. Have you tried prune juice?

I feel your pain, both of my daughters had the same problem. I used infant supositories. It sounds horrible, but it really helped them both go and it was easier for them to go. Hope this helps, good luck!

my 4 year old son did the same thing. he would go a week with no BM so i asked his doctor what to do. she recommended Fleet (a mild suppository) you can get at the grocery. that really helped. also cutting back yogurt and cheese. that really helped. something else that i do is get the benefiber and he gets about 1/2 tsp with his morning drink. (it dissolves in his drink)

hope that helps :)

Poor little baby! Sounds like you need to try and incorporate more fiber into his diet some way. My doc always said "juice makes it loose" so baby pear and apple juice both help loosen stool. Also, try and get him to drink more water. Banana and apple sauce do cause constipation. I would avoid anything that is iron fortified too because I've heard that also causes constipation. Good luck!

i think i read somewhere that iron is constipating!
have you tried giving him baby oatmeal cereal, maybe with some mashed pears. watermelon is another good way to cut constipation, at least it works for my son. applesauce shouldn't be too constipating, but bananas are definitely not good for constipation. i would also suggest you try some prune juice, maybe cut half and half with water so it's not so thick. i hope this helps!

My doctor told me about this and we have NEVER encountered constipation since- Karo syrup, the dark kind. Just a teaspoon or less, in the bottle, on your finger whatever it takes. It's sweet so they won't fight it and usually within HOURS things are fine, and it's fine to do every day. We used to do it every night in my daughter's bottle- by morning, we'd start the day stinky and fine!

Hi M., I feel your pain! My daughter experienced some bouts of constipation and yes bananas are a culprit and she loved them. My daughters pediatrician suggested apple juice and prune juice. There were also suggestions of karo syrup and mineral oil. I preferred the mineral oil. She did not care for apple juice but she would drink prune juice for a while then eventually began disliking it. I also fed her prunes. On a more extreme note, suppository! :-( Yes it was painful to do it but she got relief and we were all happy. I hope this helps.

Get him off iron. My iron was low before I had my baby and I refused to take supplements. Instead I ate leafy greens, broccoli, and dark chocolate. I got my levels up in two weeks.

M., Both of my girls had constipation issues. It first started while nursing and the Dr. told me to add the Iron supp. to their diet, so I assumed it was the Iron. However, it continued until about 20 months old or so. I tried everything, changing their diet, adding this taking away that, nothing seemed to help and I couldnt stand to see them in pain. Then the Dr. gave us a prescription laxative to add to cup of juice or milk. It made life for both of us alot easier until things straightened out on there own. The medicine was polyeth glycol powder. Hope this helps.