Feeding 5mo DS prunes for constipation

[lavei]

Is this okay? Have been recommended to by loads of people because he keeps getting constipated. Have tried warm water, bicycling movements, feeding, tummy rubs, baby massage etc but nothing.
He's EBF. It's been 7 days and he's really uncomfortable

[NaturWilde]

My ebf baby only went 1x week/fortnight. What are his usual bowel habits?

[McSleepy]

Given his age I don't think I would try prunes but what about prune juice? Alternatively go to the doctors. My 3 year old has had on and off constipation since 1 year old so we use a mix of prunes and medication when needed. However if your child is not weaned on food yet I don't think I'd be rushing in to feed prunes as the first option.

[hoddtastic]

i wouldn't. are you sure if he 'keeps getting constipated; that's just not his standard bowel action? I seem to recall one of mine doing similar- hang on.

[hoddtastic]

childrensmd.org/browse-by-age-group/newborn-infants/long-can-baby-go-without-pooping/

[Fragglez]

BF babies can go a really long time without pooing, 7 days is pretty normal i think. It's because breast milk only has what they need (your boobs analyse the saliva apparently, it's bloody clever!) so there is no 'waste' to get rid of. Ff babies go much more often because formula has everything they might possibly need so there is always going to be stuff left over, iyswim.

I believe the important thing is what the poo is like when they finally do go, you say this happens pretty often - what consistency is it when he does go?

[Lunde]

DD1 had terrible constipation (think rabbit droppings) but I had her in Sweden and my HV recommended pureed prunes or pears. In fact you can get prune puree in jars for babies from 4 months

[lavei]

Thanks for the replies.
He usually goes once a day at 11pm, however there have been a couple of occasions where he has stayed at MILs and come back constipated. I've given her expressed milk but I think the fact that something is different that upsets his tummy?
I should have been more specific, it's prune purée from Ella's kitchen that we've got. Started buying all his weaning stuff and a few pouches just to keep as back up

[lavei]

*11am sorry

[Herewegogo]

My daughter has suffered since birth, she's now 6 months and formula fed. At its worst she'd gone 11 days and was screaming in agony every hour. The health visitor told us to give her fresh orange squeezed into an ounce of water or prune juice. Having prunes once at 4 months​ isn't going to ruin her digestive system for life.

We bought the Ella's kitchen prune pouch and squeezed it into warm water. Sadly ours was so constipated that it didn't make a difference and in the end we had to get lactulose, which she still takes twice a day two months later.

Good luck!

[dementedpixie]

But bf babies can go a while between bowel movements without being constipated. What consistency is it when it arrives? If it's dry and hard then he's constipated but if it's still soft then he's not. It's not usual for breastfed babies to be constipated either

[lavei]

Hmm well last time I almost rocketed out of him. I swear he shot along the floor lol. It wasn't hard, still korma-ish but absolutely stinking!!

He's having some really foul smelling trumps so I just assumed he's constipated...

[dementedpixie]

That could just mean the poonami is due soon. Wear something white and go out for the day, it's bound to arrive then!

[HumpHumpWhale]

If it's not normal for him then he may need some help. I'd try very dilute juice in water first, see if that helps - apple or orange. Then maybe move on to the prunes. Poor little guy. Although if there are lots of smelly farts, it may be working its way through already.

[lavei]

@dementedpixie that made me giggle.

[user76895432]

If it's a normal consistency when he does go then he's not constipated. It's normal for BF babies to go 7 days without a poo.

[lavei]

@user76895432 I think it's just because he seems uncomfortable about it that led me to believe he was constipated

[Redken24]

Try apricots - they work quite well.

[Silverthorn]

Ds1 once went 14days without pooing when about 5mo. The poonami was immense. However it was the usual mustard type consistency,if it's dark green and or more solid I would have to wonder if Mil had been feeding him something other than breast milk. ..?

[FirstTimeMummy25]

When my DS was ebf he used to go 2 weeks sometimes without going. When I took him to the doctors they recommended watered down apple juice but he hated it. I then moved on to Ella's kitchen prunes and they worked for us but think he was a little older but at 5 months I would have done it if needed. I still give him regular Ella's kitchen now as he still struggles bless him at 14 months

[blue2014]

My DS is 5 months and we are on the Ella's kitchen pouches (tiny amount:s) he also rarely poos. I was also told tiny bit of fresh squeezed orange in cooled boiled water. I haven't needed to use it yet but I would try that before the prunes

[mimiholls]

Its the consistency of the poo that will tell you if he's constipated not how frequently he goes. If they are hard and pellet like then you have a problem. It would be pretty unusual for an ebf baby to be constipated. No it's not a good idea to give a 5 month old prunes, puree or otherwise. You can do freshly squeezed orange juice (teaspoon) in an oz of cooled boiled water if he really is constipated.

[Popskipiekin]

As you're breastfeeding - my midwife told me to drink vast amounts of orange juice myself and sure enough it had an effect! Worth a try?

[Believeitornot]

Does this only happen when he stays with MIL?

Are you sure she's only giving expressed milk.

[Herewegogo]

Mimi why is it not a good idea to give a 5 month old prunes..?

[Fragglez]

I imagine because who and nhs guidance is nothing but bm or formula until a minimum of 6 months old.