Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Baby struggling to pass stools for months??

61 replies

PurpleRayne89 · 02/03/2022 10:38

My son is 5 months and 17 days. He’s always struggled to pass poop and wind. Kicks legs, the whole shabbang- even keeping us both up all night with the fidgeting.

Doctor at the hospital suggested colic and said we should wean him. Started weaning him 2 weeks ago and now he’s “constipated”. Spoke to a different doctor, they’ve ran with the notes on the system from the hospital. They’ve prescribed him Movicol sachets which must be dissolved in water and drunk. My son is too young to drink water, especially the volume they’re suggesting. According to the instructions, the entire thing needs to be consumed for it to be effective. To me that’s a nonstarter. They said they will review in 2 weeks time. The laxatives are to make the poop more watery. However, he’s EBF and his has always struggled passing loose, liquidy stools. So the laxatives are just likely to cause diarrhoea and stomach ache. I’m stopping the solids until he’s at least 6 months and I’ll stop start if I have to.

Any similar previous experience?

OP posts:
NoToLandfill · 02/03/2022 22:16

Ah yes the poo can get compacted and then watery poo escapes around it. But there's still loads stuck inside. The movicol gets it all flushed out. And gets the guts back to being 'regular'. If baby isn't yet 6 months I'd not rush to introduce lots of foods. I'd stick to milk (breast or formula or a combination) and movicol. Get baby regular and happy then go back to introducing foods. Your wee one might just have a sensitive constitution. My dd is now at primary school and still can get constipated. It's something we have to watch. Enough fruit, enough water- if not it's bunged up insides. And her behaviour is pretty poor. Then she poos and is lovely again. So I can imagine a pre verbal baby could be very fussy. They literally can't tell you what's going on.

romdowa · 02/03/2022 22:10

Watery stools can be the bodies way to clear the constipation. My gp has called it over flow. My pediatrician has advised us to give an ounce of cooled boiled water with a tiny bit of brown sugar to my ds to help his constipation and it worked far better than anything else we were given. He used to scream for hours with the pain in his tummy. He doesnt even take the full ounce.

Original poster
PurpleRayne89 · 02/03/2022 22:02

@x2boys ok, thanks did you not know he had chromosomal issues before? Also, we’re his symptoms similar to my sons?

@NoToLandfill thanks for responding. Oh right, so what were your child’s stools like before using the stuff. As my son struggles to pass watery stools. Do you think this would still be of benefit? His stools aren’t hard or anything that would suggest traditional constipation.

@veevee04 same question as above really?

OP posts:
veevee04 · 02/03/2022 21:58

She is 8 and never gets constipated so she tells me anyway.

veevee04 · 02/03/2022 21:57

I had to use lactulose and movicol for DD I used to add it to her milk.

NoToLandfill · 02/03/2022 21:57

Hi do join that movicol mummies group.
It's not a laxative, it's amazing stuff!

x2boys · 02/03/2022 21:55

He was a lot older then your son when his chronic constipation became an issue,he has a chromosome disorder and learning disabilities etc
I m really not trying to suggest that your son will be affected in anyway like my son ,but in your position I would just hope they take his bowel issues more seriously and do some investigation and hopefully rule anything serious out

Original poster
PurpleRayne89 · 02/03/2022 21:51

@lisaandalan thanks. There so much conflicting evidence out there it’s annoying.

OP posts:
lisaandalan · 02/03/2022 21:49

A baby under six months can have water, but you have to boil it first and let it cool down. X

Original poster
PurpleRayne89 · 02/03/2022 21:46

@x2boys hey don’t be silly. MN is to share your experiences and offer input which could potentially help others. I just want to get to the bottom of things. You have not worried nor offended me in anyway, please don’t apologise. I was just keen to know the specifics so I know what enquiries to make to my Doctor. What were your son’s symptoms, what led to diagnosis and what was his diagnosis?

OP posts:
Carbiesdreamhouse · 02/03/2022 21:44

Another vote for cows milk allergy.

x2boys · 02/03/2022 21:40

[quote PurpleRayne89]@x2boys what disabilities does your son have? They’ve assessed his anus and general check up, nothing too in-depth.

@Milkshake54 this makes sense. So do some research on this and detox from it basically?[/quote]
I'm sorry I didn't mean to post that to worry you ,I was just thinking there might bowel issues that scans could show up
My son has many disabilities and I really didn't want to upset you but ime i would want anything physical ruled out
I'm sorry for how it came across

HiKelsey · 02/03/2022 21:36

Little one hasn't been investigated for a milk allergy have they? Constipation alone is only one symptom but along side colic type symptoms, sickness, reflux and eczema (just some) it can point to a allergy to cows milk protein x

Milkshake54 · 02/03/2022 21:33

[quote PurpleRayne89]@x2boys what disabilities does your son have? They’ve assessed his anus and general check up, nothing too in-depth.

@Milkshake54 this makes sense. So do some research on this and detox from it basically?[/quote]
Yeah basically, but it can take up to 8 weeks to see improvements - 2 weeks to leave you, 2 weeks to leave your baby and then some time for their tummy to heal...
If nothing else, eliminating it will let you know whether it is an issue or not! If you don't see improvements you can add it back in!

And you have to cut out all dairy, so read every label!
I stopped feeding my little one recently and I've just weaned myself back on dairy! Sadly my little one still can't manage it 😞.

Original poster
PurpleRayne89 · 02/03/2022 21:28

@x2boys what disabilities does your son have? They’ve assessed his anus and general check up, nothing too in-depth.

@Milkshake54 this makes sense. So do some research on this and detox from it basically?

OP posts:
Cotswoldmama · 02/03/2022 21:27

When my son was a baby he really struggled and we were prescribed lactulose. You can get it over the counter but I would speak to the pharmacist first. I was very gentle and it didn't work as quick as we thought so the doctor doubled the dosage which did then did work. He grew out of it at about a year when he was walking and eating more meals.

Milkshake54 · 02/03/2022 21:23

I'd vote dairy too.

It's not the amount you consume that's the issue, it's that it will be built up in your system... milk proteins are in a lot more foods than you realise...! Even some wines!

x2boys · 02/03/2022 21:19

Have they looked at physical reasons?
My child is 12 now and has extremely complex disabilities including chronic constipation but non of this was apparent as a baby .

Original poster
PurpleRayne89 · 02/03/2022 21:12

I’m not keen on using the Movical, I couldn’t see this making much difference. If he struggles to pass watery stools already. How would this improve things!

OP posts:
Original poster
PurpleRayne89 · 02/03/2022 21:11

He’s ok within himself otherwise; gaining weight. If this wasn’t an issue I’d have no concerns about him. He’s EBF. I’m going to stop solids. Start again in a short while. I’m not sure why the Doctor at the hospital said such diet would improve things. If anything it’s made things worse. If he’s struggled to evacuate watery BF poop then how’s he going to fair with thicker poop. I’m at a loss with these healthcare professionals. I mean where do they get their expertise from sometimes!

I don’t consume much dairy so I couldn’t attribute it to that. He has been struggling since Monday to poop; straining, kicking his legs, crying until bright red, turning over and pushing - nothing! I have him prunes Monday, yesterday and today watered down with extra boiled water. No joy! On occasion there’s a spot of poop in his nappy.

Bicycle legs, tummy massage, pushing legs up to chest, foot massage, warm bath, you make it, I’ve done it! Hopefully he poops soon. He’s passing wind also, struggles to do this occasionally too

I can imagine if he was just farting away and not ready to poop but he’s actively trying until it’s nap time again and he’s exhausted.

Ugh!

OP posts:
AperolWhore · 02/03/2022 15:35

@PurpleRayne89 please please go see a cranial osteopath they are actual miracle workers!

Notbluepeter · 02/03/2022 15:33

Another vote for CMP allergy. Although with my DS ended up with egg, soy and a CMP allergy. The joys.

JaninaDuszejko · 02/03/2022 14:11

Another vote for a dairy allergy. Have you tried cutting milk out of your diet for three weeks and then starting having it again to see if it has an impact.

EBF babies can sometimes poo less than FF babies but they don't normally strain to poo even when it's been days. More likely to be an explosive poonami if DD1 was anything to go by.

Ozanj · 02/03/2022 14:00

@PurpleRayne89

My son is 5 months and 17 days. He’s always struggled to pass poop and wind. Kicks legs, the whole shabbang- even keeping us both up all night with the fidgeting.

Doctor at the hospital suggested colic and said we should wean him. Started weaning him 2 weeks ago and now he’s “constipated”. Spoke to a different doctor, they’ve ran with the notes on the system from the hospital. They’ve prescribed him Movicol sachets which must be dissolved in water and drunk. My son is too young to drink water, especially the volume they’re suggesting. According to the instructions, the entire thing needs to be consumed for it to be effective. To me that’s a nonstarter. They said they will review in 2 weeks time. The laxatives are to make the poop more watery. However, he’s EBF and his has always struggled passing loose, liquidy stools. So the laxatives are just likely to cause diarrhoea and stomach ache. I’m stopping the solids until he’s at least 6 months and I’ll stop start if I have to.

Any similar previous experience?

  1. It’s normal for EBF babies not to pass stool as often as formula fed babies.
  1. Weaned babies MUST drink water (we were advised 2-3 sippy cups per day) regardless of age.
Tbird5 · 02/03/2022 13:56

@NEE1302

My dd struggled with watery poo when bf and then constipation once weaned onto solids but it was related to dairy allergy. She screamed in agony and had a couple of hospital stays until we established what was wrong. We were then under a consultant and a dietician until about 18 months. The dietician gave the best advice and support re stripping dairy out of her diet and then slowly reintroducing using the milk ladder. This might not be similar to what you're experiencing but might be worth considering?
This x