Is My Baby Just Constipated???

I agree with all the other mommas about upping fluids, and the bicycle movements. Another thing you might try that worked for my friend is to insert a lubed thermometer very slightly into his bum for a few moments. Her dr. reccommeded this after a week or so of all other remedies not working, and it was the only thing that helped. Good Luck!!

In my experience the doctors aren't concerned until it has been over a week. And they don't consider it constipation unless they are straining and the poop is very hard and dry.

My daughter went through this and we give her diluted prune juice every day and ground flax seed in her food and she has been going like a champ ever since. The thing to remember is a lot of these things are preventative and you need to keep up with them even when things are moving along smoothly.

For now I would just increase the fluids and fibers (and stay away from constipating foods like banana, rice and I've heard applesauce and cheese too).

Good luck

yea the prunes is a good idea, not too much! but if hes not having any discomfort its my feeling that the solids are just taking some time to travel through and he will soon be in a regular pattern. under no circumstances would i recommend castor or mineral oil. when in doubt talk to your pediatrician. in addition i know a great little trick that works for gas too.
place his head at your knees, laying on your lap, take his little toes and push them together wiggling them around, making little bicycle motions with his legs then taking both knees and pressing them gently into his tummy and holding, releasing and repeating. then take both legs loosen up his hips move them in a circle motion from side to side being sure to stop in the middle and put some pressure from the legs again up onto the abdomen. then take your hand and give him a little tummy rub, rub one direction with some pressure for a while and then the other then back to moving those legs around, in and out one then the other, and so on. Often i could get gas without fail when doing this (i would do it for a total of 5 mins or more if needed) This if nothing else feels nice for them and cannot hurt! but i never had it fail for at the very least relief but i would be willing to bet you get a Bm within 24 hours if not 12 and that it will get better as his body adjusts to solids. I sometimes did this exercise 5 times a day if i needed to.

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Hmm..could just be a response to table foods - grains and pasteurized dairy can be very constipating.

I wouldn't bother with a doctor unless you want him on a chemical-filled laxative.

Try kid probiotics - these add beneficial bacteria (like what's in yogurt) to the gut. Also anything fermented like kefir. I also really like Natural Calm - it's a magnesium drink, great for constipation and all natural. Has a strong taste though, so not sure if he would drink it.

Yes, I would call this constipated. I would give him a tablespoon of MOM (milk of magnesia). I used MOM when my son was 6 months and it worked great. Also give him apple or prune juice diluted with a little water. Feed him some applesauce, pear sauce, pureed peaches (baby foods with fruit). Add some fiber to his diet. Four days without a bowel movement is a long time and it will just get harder for him to go unless you get him regulated ASAP!! Good luck.

Remember that "just constipated" isn't a normal condition for anyone. We all should have several bowel movements a day, and the feces should be soft (not runny) but not hard. Definitely stay away from the "BRAT diet" foods you use when the kids have diarrhea - bananas, rice, applesauce, toast. And of course cheese is binding so avoid that for now. You can try prune juice in his other food. Watch the flax seed in one so young - call your doctor first to ask. You need a lot of liquids and definitely more fiber, assuming this is only related to his diet of the past week or so. And if the poop is compacted in there, there could be a blockage either causing it or resulting from it. He's not uncomfortable yet but you need to get things moving. I wouldn't wait a full week like someone else suggested - once all that starts to move, it's not going to be pretty!

Hi J.,

We've struggled with constipation with my daughter for 3 years so I feel your pain -- and your son's! We even ended up in the ER one night getting her an enema (which REALLY worked -- eeeew!)

Make sure he's getting a ton of fiber, and fluids, but NOT apple juice. I used to give it to my daughter until the pedi pointed out that apples are part of the BRAT diet that helps bind you up. Give any juice that starts with the letter 'P' like pear, plum, and of course, prune. You can also try letting him sit in a very warm bath, obviously not warm enough to burn him but as warm as is tolerable. A little rectal stimulation with the tip of a thermometer lubed up with vaseline can work, too.

I wouldn't be afraid of taking him to the doctor out of fear that you're just going to get a chemical-filled solution. Your pedi should be able to recommend a whole variety of remedies for you that don't involve medication -- although my daughter did take miralax once when nothing else worked, at a reduced dosage, and it worked great. I usually try the nurse phone line first rather than dragging an otherwise healthy kid into the germy office :)

Good luck!

Hi J., So sorry about this worry. A business associate from a group that we both belong to speaks of this issue fairly often. Her name is Dr. Ellen Blomerth, and she specializes in treating women and children. She has treated babies a week old. She said it is fairly common for babies to have some difficulty moving their bowels, and she does a very gentle adjustment while the Mom holds the baby in her own arms. The baby feels nothing, but the adjustment basically "puts everything in alignment" causing the bowels to work easily and consistently again. It takes about 30 seconds (I have watched her demonstrate this on a doll)and not only does it make the baby regular again, but it gives the Mom such peace of mind to see the baby back to normal with a gentle quick touch that doesn't even hurt him for a second. Please consider this. I suggest that you call her and simply interview her on the phone about the problem. If you feel comfortable after speaking with her, make the appointment. She is in Peabody at the junction of Rt.1 and Lowell St. I am assuming you are in the North Shore area. Dr. Blomerth's phone # is ###-###-####. Be sure to ask for Dr. Ellen Blomerth, because she has a practice with her husband Dr. Steve Blomerth, who does not work with babies. I wish you the best. E. Taft ____@____.com

Hi J.,
I would try pureed prunes - it cannot hurt, and often helps!
Also lots of fluid (breastmilk or formula).
All the best!

I would try some fruit, or 100 percent juice: apple, pear. Sweet potato puree helped my daughter, as did prunes. Make sure he is getting some fiber.

Call your pediatrician immediately!

Hey J., I hear your desperation!! My daughter battled with constipation!! Here's what helped us: first off, try a tablespoon of light corn syrup mixed into his juice/milk (whichever his preference)-- this works great for infants, not so sure how effective once they are a little older?? The magic cure for us was the Mineral oil -- my pedi suggested a tablespoon per day whipped into the am milk cup (my daughter would have carnation instant bkfast) it's tastless and they don't even know it's there. it will not hurt him at all and it will definatly help. I have reciently seen an add for pedilax, have never used it, but sounds like someting to try if all else fails. good luck!! L. C.

Just dealt with this with my one yo. Instead of mineral or castor oil, I'm using flax seed oil.
http://www.askdrsears.com/html/8/t081100.asp

Might not be constipation, 3 days isn't too long. But check out Dr Sears, he explains it better and uses flax seed oil instead. My dd goes back and forth between a hard(er) poop then the flood gates open to a wet and squishy poop. If impacted, it takes 6-8 weeks for the rectum to return to normal so keep up with the fiber and flax seed oil, etc. for a while.

Good luck!

Hi, this seems normal (especially since his mood is normal)
but just you wait, my little guy had the same issue and for two days, ...shall we say, made up for lost time!) If you are really worried track which foods he eats when and what binds him up. I figured out that cherries caused diaper rash with my kiddo that way

Good Luck, Nat