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Infant feeding

Get advice and support with infant feeding from other users here.

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Original poster

Giving water to a ff 12 week old?

20 replies

purplemurple1 · 21/11/2013 19:30

Is it OK to give some sterile water to a 12 week old to help with constipation?

If so how much? Should it be with a feed/between/instead?

(He is taking approx 40oz a day over 7 or 8 feeds, and weighs 14lb 9oz, so could afford to miss a meal or two if it gets things moving!)

OP posts:

Jiltedjohnsjulie · 21/11/2013 19:34

Is he constipated? Is that why you are asking?

Original poster

purplemurple1 · 21/11/2013 19:39

Yes I think so, he is straining to fart when sleeping (thats normal for him though), and his poo has been sticky and/or runny for the the last couple of days.

OP posts:

Jiltedjohnsjulie · 21/11/2013 19:49

I wouldn't give water, it's not recommended at all. Has he had a change of formula recently? If you have a look on youtube, there's a hold called the tiger in the tree, very good for wind. Have you tried some tummy massage before bed too?

I'm not trained, but have a look at your carton of formula, I think you may be able to add a little extra water to the formula if they are constipated, but don't take my word for it.

stargirl1701 · 21/11/2013 19:50

How about getting some advice from your HV? Could you call in the morning?

PetiteRaleuse · 21/11/2013 19:54

At 12 weeks an ounce of water after milk feeds won't do any harm. You can dilute prune juice for a more radical effect but it needs to be really diluted. Evian water is fine for newborns, one of only two or three mineral waters which is allowed. I have seen that a bit of brown sugar in hot water to dilute then cooled of course can help too.

Good winding might help though, especially as you say he is straining to poo. If it continues see your gp/hv, consipation and straining can escalate until they get scared of pooing. There are glycerin suppositories taht you can pop up there as stool softeners but I would check with a hcp before as he is very young.

MollyMatey · 21/11/2013 19:58

Unless he is in pain, has a hard stomach or his poo is hard when it comes, he doesn't sound constipated.

JRmumma · 21/11/2013 20:07

At 12 weeks give no more than 1-2 oz of water a day. Although 40oz! My 15 week old only takes 25oz! I'm sure a bit of water will be fine as long as its boiled and cooled.

MollyMatey · 21/11/2013 20:09

40oz isn't that excessive for a baby of that size though - it's based on weight, not age.

EXTERMINATEpeppa · 21/11/2013 20:18

my hv advised water or a teaspoon of pure orange mixed with 7oz water.

ilovepowerhoop · 21/11/2013 20:20

if the poo is sticky and runny then he isnt constipated. Constipation is hard dry rabbit pellet poo.

ilovepowerhoop · 21/11/2013 20:21

and citrus juices arent recommended before 6 months so i wouldnt give orange juice to a 12 week old

EXTERMINATEpeppa · 21/11/2013 20:27

was just advice from my hv.
It did help but im not saying everyone try it.
Obviously do what your comfortable with

Original poster

purplemurple1 · 21/11/2013 20:29

My hv knows nothing about formula as I'm in Sweden and almost everyone breast feeds.

I'd read if they are really blocked up runny poo cam get past but the blockage can't making it look like diarrhea - any idea if that's true?

His formula has changed a few weeks back but he was back to normal until a few days ago.

He also has a rash on his face and is drooling lots - cantteething start this early and could it be related to the poo? (again asked hv, she didn't know.)

OP posts:

PetiteRaleuse · 21/11/2013 20:31

Constipation isn't just hard rabbit pellet poo. Excessive straining also is a symptom, even if the poo looks normal. 40 oz does sound like a lot of milk, I don't think either of mine, and one was a bruiser, ever drank that much in a day.

Orange juice would work but there is teh risk it could upset his stomach;citrus is quite hard to digest and an allergy risk. Prune juice is a less risky but quite radical solution.

MollyMatey · 21/11/2013 20:32

How often is he pooing? Is his stomach hard? Nothing you've mentioned sounds particularly like constipation.

EXTERMINATEpeppa · 21/11/2013 20:32

sounds like teething poo if youve got face rash and pains.

teething nappies are rancid

MollyMatey · 21/11/2013 20:34

Formula intake is usually around 2.5xweight in lbs per day - so a 15lb baby can be expected to have around 37.5oz a day.

PetiteRaleuse · 21/11/2013 20:34

Wrt to your last post I would see a doctor if the hv can't help. Constipation can cause a blockage which runny poo can get past but that is quite serious. Not just a few day' constipation.

Tbh I would go with winding, a bit of water, then see doctor.

Teething can start that young but drooling could be anything. However, drooling is loss of fluid or, at least, removal of excess fluid, so water won't do any harm. Just a bit though. An ounce at a time.

Original poster

purplemurple1 · 21/11/2013 21:02

He is pooing at least once a day,so I'm not sure if it constipation so don't want to use laxatives and was hoping water could be a first try.

I'll give an ounce tommorow between his morning feeds and see how it goes.

We're winding all the time during, after feeds, before and after naps, and nappy changes basically everytime I pick him up I do a check - it could of course be more wind though I suppose as he seems to have an endless amount of it!

His nappies have been quite rank the last few days but I guess I'll know soon enough if he is teething.

Thanks

OP posts:

Jiltedjohnsjulie · 24/11/2013 07:23

How is he now purple?

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