Constipation in 1 year old, prescribed Lidocaine cream

[Rootatoot]

Has anyone had any experience of what doctor's recommend for treating constipation in 1 year old babies? It makes sense what he said, that baby is holding his poo as it has been hurting him to go, however he prescribed lactulose to loosen his stools along with an anaesthetic cream for his bum.

The problem is that the cream states it shouldn't be used on the back passage/anus. I questioned the doc again today about this and he just laughed and said he'd used it for years. I'm concerned as baby's bottom now looks very red and he screamed the place down when I put the cream on tonight when he had been trying to poo unsucessfully. I bathed him straight away and as soon as I washed it off, he calmed down. I'm not sure about this at all. The leaflet with the cream (Licocaine 4%) says it should be washed off after an hour, it is used for injections and shouldn't be used on the anus or internally. I have been using the cream since yesterday.

Not sure what to do. Baby hasn't pooped since Saturday and he's been very upset and uncomfortable for the last two days especially.

[breaghmum]

Lactulose is commonly used for constipation in young babies. It can sometimes take a few days or so for it to kick in & have any effect. I immagine baby was screaming because the cream would be a weird sensation as its anaesthetic....sounds like doctors advice is ok. Give plenty warm baths & try tummy massage if baby will let you. Usually it feels like they r constipated for ages then it will all come out! Just stick with it & if still no joy go back to gp. It can be common for them to be constipated for even a week!

[breaghmum]

I would only be worried about the cream on that area if the skin is red, fiery or breaks out like an allergic reaction....

[chocolateteabag]

fWIW Vagisil is 2% lidocaine and it's for your nether regions.

I also use it when my Excema is bad to take the edge off and stop the itch scratch cycle

[Rootatoot]

A belated thanks for replies. DS is still on the lactulose but stopped using the cream now he's 'going' regularly and it's not painful. We now seem to be going through a poop explosion phase so back to doc's today to discuss cutting down on the laxative perhaps! Just wanted to say thankyou - did read replies but didn't get chance to say so earlier.Seems the doctor was right after all.