8mo cries when pooing - Doctors or treat at home?

[TheRedKeep]

Just looking for some advice, ff ds 8 mo today, and for the past couple of days his bowel movements have been accompanied by crying, straining, grunting and sometimes screaming.

His poo is quite soft so not sure if he'd need a laxative, but should I be taking him to the GP?

And does anyone have any advice that can make him more comfortable other than offering water?

He's regular with at least one dirty nappy a day, and he had four on Saturday.

[WhatTheActualFugg]

Please take him to the GP. Soft stools and regular or otherwise, something clearly isn't right.

I don't think you should be giving laxatives to a baby without speaking to a doctor.

Hope you get some answers.

[bebo100]

Ella's Kitchen do a pouch which is just prunes. I've given them to my 8 month old and they seem to help keep things moving.

Re. Doctor go with your gut feel. From what you've said I'd say treat at home for a couple of days. But doctors are always happy to see young babies and if your instinct is saying there is something more to it, the certainly doesn't hurt to get things checked out.

[TheRedKeep]

Thanks for the replies. We've decided to make an appointment to get him checked out.

I wouldn't give anything without speaking to a doctor but just wasn't sure if he'd need laxatives and if not if there would be anything else they'd do.

We took him when he was really young as he had problems with constipation and the gp prescribed him Gaviscon which I'd thought was for reflux

I'll look for the Ellas prunes aswell, don't really want to risk giving him anything that family have recommended such as fresh orange, salt water or a vaseline covered q tip up there!

I'd definitely like to get him checked out. He's obviously in so much pain with it

[WhatTheActualFugg]

My little boy has long term bowel issues and it's just awful. Difficulties with opening their bowels are so easily turned in to long-term problems.

I'd try and get some advice from your HV team as well. GPs might know the medical fix, but the HV might have more practical advice on how to work your DS's diet long term.

[TheRedKeep]

That's what I'm worried about, my db had issues switching between constipation and not being able to hold it in up to the age of about 11. He had suppositories for a while.

When I had ds the first thing to come out was meconium so I don't know if it's related or not, but I hope he doesn't continue to have problems.

I feel like we're getting nowhere with weaning as I follow all the guidelines and he gets blocked up so I stick to milk for a day or so and it's like going backwards and forwards to nowhere.

HV is a good idea as I feel like I'd like some more weaning advice aswell so I'll pop in to my surestart or give them a call

[Florentina27]

If he doesn't actualy struggle pushing it out maybe he has an apset tummy , definitely see a GP, hope is nothing serious x

[WhatTheActualFugg]

Meconium is what all newborns are supposed to poop, OP.

I bf mine so I don't know much about ff, but isn't constipation a known problem with formula?

How many solid meals is in eating? What is he eating? How much milk is he still having?

[WhatTheActualFugg]

Keep pushing for some help from the health professionals. Over the last 2 years I was told 4 times by different GPs and Nurses that my DS would 'grow out' of his holding on to poo. Only now, after a lot of tears and poo incontinence did a GP finally tell me it's OK to just have him permanently on lactulose.

[Blizy]

Are you giving Him the gaviscon? It's strange you were prescribed it fior constipation. My ds us on gaviscon for reflux and constipation is a well known side effect!

[BlueThursday]

Apologies for hijacking but I read this a couple of days ago and on bebos advice bought Ella's prunes for DD who's been struggling massively with constipation.

They've been a miracle so thank you very much for that, Best Buy this year!