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Quick help needed DS 8 weeks constipated - advice

9 replies

rlou · 28/07/2005 20:12

DS is 8 weeks old - he has only had the smallest no 2 since Sunday night. This is not normal for him. I think I know the cause as i gave him a formula feed on Monday and again on Tuesday. This upset his stomach so I stopped and he hasd not had any since. I now need to get things moving again or DR's I think tomorrow.I have tried a little diluted orange juice x 2 and this has not helped. I have also had prunes and orange to get things moving.. sorry for the gross subject but I'm now worried about him!!

OP posts:

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WigWamBam · 28/07/2005 20:18

Can you massage his tummy gently to try and get things going? If he's trying to go but can't, lie him on his back and "bicycle" his legs - that sometimes gets things moving. Warm baths combined with massage can help as well.

My HV recommended a teaspoon of sugar dissolved in a tiny amount of water and given from a spoon, but I know that some people feel that's too harsh.

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Tipex · 28/07/2005 20:19

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

poppy101 · 28/07/2005 20:21

Massage tummy works wonders, but be very careful on the tummy be very gentle and 'bicycle' his legs like WigWamBam said, warm baths do work as well.

These options do work, try also feeding a bit extra water to the baby.

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Yorkiegirl · 28/07/2005 20:23

Message withdrawn

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serah · 28/07/2005 21:28

WWB... I can't see how a teaspoon of sugar to help a constipated child could be harsh in anyones opinion! (IMO obviously...).

Sugary diluted orange juice (freshly squeezed, not carton stuff) worked a treat for my DS, along with warm baths.

Constipation is quite common in hot weather, which is exactly what we've had until the last few days, so I would offer him cooled boiled water before each and every feed until he "releases the motherload". Constipation just means that the stool has dried and shrunk to the extent that the bowel wall can no longer "grip" it to move it along, causing a backlog (excuse the pun). If you give him lots of water (and I understand sugar in it too) this will rehydrate the stool and allow it to be moved again. This is as my GP explained it to me btw. I am not a poo expert, and have no inclination to be!!

Also I understand that people have said that you shouldn't give water to a breastfed baby, but I think thats a general thing as opposed to a "treatment". Perhaps someone who knows what that is related to could input on this.

Good luck

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WigWamBam · 29/07/2005 00:03

Ooooh, serah, you haven't seen some of the threads here where it's been mentioned, then

The sugar apparently acts as an irritant, which is what causes the poo to be released - that's why it might be considered a bit harsh for a 2 month old baby. Although as I said, it was recommended to me by a health visitor, so take from that what you will!

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serah · 29/07/2005 09:00

ooooeerrr!!!

Didn't know that - and guess what, it was recommended to me by my health visitor too

They are evil, evil women.......

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Monstersmum · 30/07/2005 10:46

Hi there

The sugar in water remedy is a really old one - recommend by my grandmother, parents and health visitor AND doc. We were recommended to use a quarter teaspoon brown sugar in boiled water and just give a little - can't quite see how it could be an irritant but I bow to greater expertise!

If you think it is the formula- I had that problem with my ds who was formula fed totally. Took him to doc who recommded adding an extra ounce of water to every bottle. Sorted us out anyway.

Good look.