6 month old with constipation - breaking my heart!!

[samnbabes]

My dd is so bunged up!

She is screaming with pain everytime she tries to poo - watch out sensitive types, TMI alert ahead ... she starts trying to push the poo out, but it's just too hard & gets stuck -you can see it hovering -there takes her 30secs or so of agony to get it back inside.
All my fault - gave her too much banana - hadn't realised this was a classic bunger-uper.

So, in the last 48 hours we're tried... brown sugar in water, prune juice, apricot juice, lots of liquid/cutting down solids, increased b/f rather than formula ...and STILL no poo.

I need some detailed advice - doc has given us a prescription but made me feel bad about using it - said it might lead to a lazy gut/I should try everything else first - but couldn't tell me how much sugar soln/prune juice to give - um, helpful. So all you mums of constipated babas - help - how much/how often/how long should I give it before hitting the hard stuff???

Thx!!

[alexa1]

What did the doctor prescribe?? Is it called Movicol? very interested to know

If u have tried everything else, i.e, prune juice, water, all bran, then u need to hit the hard stuff. I suffer with constipation and as an adult I feel like crying sometimes when I need the toilet. It must be 100 times worse for a young child who doesn't understand properly why they cannot go.

[samnbabes]

It's lactulose - apparently a milk sugar.
Thx for the advice. And yes, as a non-sufferer, it's not great to watch - my ds (2 1/2) sat watching her wail earlier & said 'I don't like it when she needs to poo - it makes me sad. I want to cry.' Bless 'im.

[cowmad]

try mashed carrots and the lactulose and orange juice (not all together obv!!) over the next 24 hrs (not too much carrott tho) also warm baths (obv not hot!)activity also helps move things along a little, appreciate thats hard for 6mnth old! good luck

[alexa1]

I think lactulose is the most common prescribe medicine for constipation in children.

As the previous poster mentioned, put it in their food. It works wonders!

[alexa1]

bump for the other lady who's baby is constipated!

[Mum2FunkyDude]

I'm not speaking of experience here, but I've read in a resent thread about 2 weeks ago where someone said with a tiny baby you can rub their anus gently, it triggers a reflex to poo, however I do not know if it will work with a six month old. I know they use gliserine for adults.

I got this from another site:

"What should you do to relieve the constipation until the loosening foods kick in? If baby is really uncomfortable, you can insert a thermometer about one inch into baby's anus. This will stimulate the anus to open and pass the stool. If this doesn't work, use half of a children's glycerin suppository available over the counter at the drug store. "

[Mum2FunkyDude]

Lactulose can give cramps before it works. It works by absorbing liquids from your intestine to soften the poo that is hard. So be sure to give enough fluids!

[samnbabes]

Thx all - right, she's having lactlose for brekkie tommorrow then...

Thought citrus was not recommended under 6 months, so had avoided oj - is that not right?

[Nemo1977]

thanks alexa I didnt see this thread..should have looked..lol

[samnbabes]

And, mum2funky... yuch, yuch, yuch, but thanks- although don't think we have such a thing as an old fashioned thermometer (all digital and fancy, we are )

[samnbabes]

And hi Nemo - have just read your thread too - here's hoping for a poo-filled day for both of us tommorrow

[Mum2FunkyDude]

Try the tip of your little finger. Far better than having a baby that doesn't understand why she's hurting!

[Mercy]

My ds was a lot older when he started getting constipated (more like 1.5) and still suffers time to time. I found water is the answer so maybe increased breastfeeding is the equivalent in a young baby.

What I've done with ds when he's trying to poo is to push legs back as far as I can against his tummy whilst at the same time massaging his buttocks. I've also removed had to remove pellet type lumps out (holding a wipe in my hand) Sorry if this is gross, but gently grab onto a bit that is coming out; once a lump is out a bit more may appear and you just carry on as best you can.

Poor kids, it's so painful for them.

I've not tried lactulose tbh. Ask your pharmacist too for advice

[Bladee]

I agree with Mercy - worked a treat on my ds. Also - sounds horrible - but little bit of vaseline shoved up there - adds a bit of lubrication.

[samnbabes]

Have already tried tip of finger - VERY gently (boy, do I love having kids) - can only scrape little bits of hard poo out. Yum.

And have done lots of massaging tum/holding legs up to tummy - but not whilst massaging bum. Hurrah, something else to add to my repertiore...

Hadn't mentioned either of these advanced techniques earlier, in case people were still eating - anyone got anything even more repellent I can try?!?

This is all a bit of a horrid shock as ds1 is 'poo of the year' boy - can still pop 4 out on a really good day, and he's 2 1/2...

[mummymelling]

one of the babyfood companies that do the ambient ,yogurt pot type fruit puree type things do a PRUNE PORRIDGE it shifts my 2yr old if he gets a bit bunged up, or liquidize some tinned prunes and mix with a little baby rice . hope babe feels better soon