I won't bother apologizing for "too much information" because as moms, I know we've seen and dealt with it all!! :) So thanks in advance.
My 16 month old has an EXTREMELY sore bottom...but no diaper rash. For the past day and a half, she appears to be straining very hard when trying to poop. Also, she usually only goes once a day, but she pooped probably 8 times in the last 24 hours. The poop (and here it comes!) is only what I could describe as dry smears in her diaper, and sometimes a little flat pancake, but nothing more. Does this sound like constipation?
And the soreness...right around her anal area, she is bright red, but it isn't a rash...and when I try to wipe her, she stiffens up her WHOLE body and just screams! I know it's really got to hurt, but I can't just pat her off because the poop is dry and sticks to her, so I have to wipe.
She's never had a diaper rash (other than once with antibiotics) and I know this isn't one...I think it's more related to wiping and her struggling to poop.
So, any suggestions? Also, suggestions if you think it's constipation? I'll mention she has Celiac disease, so no suggestions for eating anything with wheat, rye, barley, or oats. No bran muffins!
***Thanks for the suggestions so far! I'll add that she's breastfed, drinks water with meals (not a lot, maybe eight ounces total during the day), but does not drink juice. She eats a lot of apples...at LEAST a whole apple a day. ???
I ended up taking her in to see a doctor tonight because after trying unsuccessfully to soak her butt in the tub, we'd just had enough. This child was obviously in SO much pain! Turns out she has anal fissures, caused by straining too hard to have a bowel movement over the course of the last few days, which is what is causing all the redness and irritation. Not a diaper rash...way worse, I guess, as far as pain goes. The doc prescribed a Triple Paste or something like that, which I can't fill until tomorrow after church, so we'll see how it goes. Also gave me the same standard ideas for increasing fiber in her diet but I'm still stumped because the child eats a ton of fruits and veggies, eats Chex every morning, an apple EVERY day, and drinks water. Who knows how she got constipated to begin with? At a loss. But thanks for all your helpful suggestions!!
More Answers
D.P.
answers from
Seattle
on
Dry smears in her diaper... I'm wondering if she has a blockage and some loose poop is sneaking around it causing the skid marks. If you're willing to give her some diluted juice (I'll recommend pear juice) that might get going again. I second Angie H.'s suggestion of putting her in a shallow bath to loosen the dried poop - extra work for you to scrub the time each but....
My constantly-loose son had one really bad round of constipation and the nurse on call said "half an adult suppository" (or a kid suppository, found those at Walgreens) and a warm bath. I shot out the door to the pharmacy and my husband put him in the bath - they were finishing the bath in the OTHER bathroom when I got home. Apparently the warm water had soothed him enough to force it out.
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H.G.
answers from
Dallas
on
Yes sounds like constipation. My baby was the same way. I would literally have to pull it out of her. She may have hemroids. My baby got one from straining so hard. I had to put plums in everything! Plum juice, baby food, everything! Water too. Good luck mom
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G.T.
answers from
Redding
on
Neosporine on her little anal will help with the pain. Sounds more like a bit of a viral infection making her poop too acidy. I'd add a little prune juice to her water or stew some prunes and have her eat some. Since her poop comes out like a flat paddy that wouldnt indicate constipation to me, usually when they are constipated you'll see more like little hard pebble poops.
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P.M.
answers from
Tampa
on
try a glycerin suppository... she is too young to be withholding her bowel movements but the physical pain that goes along with constipation may be making her afraid to poop. I'd up the breastmilk consumption right away!!
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T.H.
answers from
Kansas City
on
Could be consitipation. How much water does she drink? If you can up the amount of that, or maybe even add extra water to juice, that is a starting point. I still think you could probably put some cream on her bottom if it is that sore. You could also use some Prep H wipes to wipe her in the meantime, they do help a little bit. I would probably slather some diaper rash cream or even vaseline on her anal area to help soothe it.
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A.H.
answers from
Omaha
on
My kids get this way occasionally. I don't consider it constipation, but I do try to remedy the situation with juice, prunes, apples and other fruits or vegetables too-like fresh or frozen broccoli,cauliflower, carrots and salad. I also have them drink water. Thankfully my kids will drink water, but on occasion I will flavor it with a little juice, ice or put it in a fun cup with a silly straw. If their bottoms are really red then I swap out baby wipes and just use a very soft brand of paper towel (Viva is a good brand. It almost feels like felt to me) and then I slather on the desitin. If it looks raised or my kids seem really bothered by it, I put them in a luke warm bath for a quick soak. No soap though. and then I let them run around without pants for a few minutes to let the air soothe it too. Hope this helps and she feels better soon. My kids love desitin. It is creamy and cool and usually clears up the redness by the next diaper change. You could use a personal lubricant to create a barrier from the poop sticking to her bottom. Just make sure it is water based instead of oil based like vaseline because that could cause bacteria and give her an infection.
A.
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K.H.
answers from
Minneapolis
on
try adding a teaspoon of molasses to whatever she eats or drinks-really is safe and she wont have this problem...good luck
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D.T.
answers from
Philadelphia
on
Hope her bum-bum is feeling better by now!
I just wanted to say that I got anal fissures after eating a whole bag (16 oz) of carrots one time. Ouch. I guess I didn't chew them small enough! It took a long time to heal, over a week. I cringed every time I had to poop. So, that being said, I read that she eats Chex mix every day. Sounds great, but that hurts coming out the other end. I've learned to 1) chew until whatever I'm eating turns to pulp, and 2) only eat softer things during those anal fissure times. Delightful huh?! ;o)
Also, one more thought . . . maybe don't use a wipe b/c of burning. I use wet paper towels when my kids get severe diaper rash. It still hurts, but I know it's not from whatever they put on the wipes!
