7 week old prescribed Movicol?!

[MrsHandles]

My 7 week old DS has been constipated for the past week. After writhing and screaming in agony this morning, I finally managed to get a doctors appointment. The doctor felt and listened to his stomach and bowels and said it was distended. He then prescribed Movicol - one sachet a day.

Once I’d picked it up, the leaflet inside says children 2-5yrs, no mention of 7 week old babies!

Is it still safe to give him Movicol at such a young age? He and I just want him to go and be comfortable.

[ISeeTheLight]

Did the pharmacist say anything? They would have checked if it was okay.

DD has been having movicol for a very long time; can't remember exactly when she was first prescribed it but she was under 2 I think.

I'd call the GP and/or pharmacist to double check if you're concerned.

[beasternunny]

Is baby breast or formula fed?

Both my formula fed babies suffered from constipation. I was advised by my health visitor to switch one of the formula feeds a day to a sensitive formula. We are in Scandinavia and so the type I used as called Allomin. I used the normal Allomin most of the time and then for one feed a day I used a sensitive version of it. Did the trick as in Baby was pooing every day, instead of every three days having a poonami.

[MrsHandles]

Iseethelight The pharmacist didn’t say anything, just got it bagged up and gave it to me.

beasternunny he’s formula fed and is on thickened anti-reflux stuff which he seems to be keeping down so don’t really want to mess with that at the moment. It’s been a long process just to get to this stage

[Pringlemunchers]

Not sure about the movical , but I always put some extra water in every feed for my daughter. Maybe you could ask HV for advice ?

[beasternunny]

Totally understandable. Hope you find a solution soon MrsHandles

[TieDyedBumhole]

Dd was prescribed movicol at 8mths and I also queried the age range mentioned on the box after I collected the prescription and was told it was fine.

It is aldo sold over the counter not just on prescription so maybe it’s not available without prescription for under 2s?

[QuilliamCakespeare]

Don't use extra water. You dilute the nutrition being delivered to your baby - they will feel full due to the volume of liquid but will not have had the right amount of vitamins, fat etc etc in the milk.

[CannotEvenThink]

Pringle have I read that right that you put extra water in feeds? Do you jabs medical reason and supervision with that because it can be very dangerous for your baby.

[Mammyofasuperbaby]

Movicol is fine for even premature babies so your son will be fine. They have to put 2 and overon for over the counter sales

[IwillrunIwillfly]

Ive never heard of a baby so young being given movicol. Normal you wpuld start with lactulose which helps soften the poo. Esp if youre using a thickened formula which can cause constipation because it causes the poo to be thicker. Im a paedicatric nurse and wouldnt give it to a baby so young without checking with a paedicatric pharmacist. Id go back and speak to the gp again or your health visitor and ask for lactulose.

[PersianCatLady]

Age 2-5 is the standard recommendation.

As with any other medication, doctors can and do override the standard recommendation.

I have an ADHD medication prescribed at over twice the standard dose.

I only ever go to one chemist because they know that it is fine and not a mistake or a fake prescription, other chemists have been more problematic.

[MrsHandles]

Thank you all. I’m conflicted as to what to do. Not been able to get through to the doctor yet to double check but I keep trying. Just can’t bare to see DS in agony

[MrsHandles]

Finally managed to get through to the doctor. He said it’s definitely fine to use. The company that makes Movicol has a license to sell over the counter for two years up but it’s safe to be given on prescription to under two. Thank you everyone for your support

[chipsandcurrysaucemonster]

Try YouTube for baby massage vids for constipated babies to complement drs advice

[marueen67]

My grandson is 11 days old and was prescribed movicol for constipation by a gp, however the pharmasist advised it is not suitable for babies under 1
They spoke to gp next day and he said it is fine to use
Yesterday they received a phone call from the hospital telling them not to use movicol! And to attend today they suggested suppositories
Obviously we don't like the idea of suppositories being used in such a yoing baby? Any professional advice please?