Constipation (gaviscon induced) and water. Not necessary right?

[gaelicsheep]

I am guessing that the advice that I must give water alongside lactulose to ensure DD is hydrated enough is rubbish, right? Surely more breastfeeds are the answer, although I am sure she is hydrated enough anyway. She hasn't had a motion for around 10 days but I'm 100% sure the gaviscon is to blame (stopped about a week ago). It had the same effect last time I tried it, but massage and warm baths worked then - not so this time unfortunately.

I've been told if the lactulose doesn't work in a couple of days she needs seeing again urgently. I'm kind of worried about a slippery slope of something like no poo equals not enough nourishment from b/f equals solids/formula required etc. I'm currently 400 miles away from my regular GP.

bump

gaelic, you need to remind us

• how old your baby is
• what the doctor has actually said
• why she had gaviscon
• if you are sure it is genuine constipation

If the doctor has told you your baby needs water with the lactulose, then maybe she does.

Sorry!

I meant to say that DD is 5 months.

The doctor said exactly what I said.

Gaviscon was for reflux, but I have discontinued a) because of the lack of bowel motions and b) because her symptoms are no longer distressing her.

No I'm not sure it's genuine contipation. Last time the stools, when they finally came, were like playdough - not hard pebbles.

I took DD to the dr on the insistence of my parents (I'm staying with them at the mo). The dr seemed very unsure once I said DD was breastfed. I mentioned that my own GP had suggested lactulose previously but I'd declined in favour of continuing with natural methods, which worked last time but haven't so far this time. So she prescribed lactulose and said if it didn't work in 24 hours I should take DD to the out of hours clinic. Pharmacist said give it 48 hours. Both said I must give extra water as lactulose won't work if she isn't hydrated enough.

The girl feeds every 2 hours still. There are plenty of very wet nappies.

Not sure how to get water into her tbh as she turns her nose up in disgust, from bottle or cup. I don't fancy giving syringe after syringe of it.

i would give cool boiled water and just do syringes, time consuming but if the lactulose won't work without it then you don't really have an option :-(

I see your point with the extra breast milk but to provide extra hydration might just overfeed and make her sick.

Its a one off so at 5 months you don't have to worry about it affecting your supply.

The instructions don't say it won't work without though. They say the solution should be swallowed with a drink of water, fruit juice or taken with a meal. So I figured a breastfeed constitutes a meal, plus hydration.

If she needs the water, fine, I'll do it of course. I don't suppose it will do any harm. But I got the feeling it was a stock recommendation that they would give for constipation in a bottle fed baby. The GP just didn't inspire confidence.

Playdough stools are not constipation....

Her lack of pooing may be physiological - just normal, for a bf baby.

Lactulose is a fairly benign treatment though, and giving extra water is not a big deal at 5 mths - but my understanding is that it is normally given for 'real' constipation.It's never a good idea to treat a baby (or anyone) if they really don't need it!

If you are not happy or if you are uncertain about the doctor's advice, then can you ask the doctor again for clarification? Presumably there is no urgency about this - it can wait a day or so?

Sorry to be vague....I just don't think a talkboard is the best place for actual medical advice. It's different when someone has been told something absolutely mad, like 'your breastmilk is giving your baby spots, you should stop now' or 'all babies aged 2 months need solid food' - but your situation is not like that :)

No I know it's not the place for real medical advice. I was just interested to see if anyone else had been told the same thing, or not, as the case may be.

It was just the doctor's complete puzzlement that made me a little . I think I might ring my own GP or HV for advice on Monday.