constipation - enfamil AR

[Kingsroadie]

Hi

My daughter is 7 weeks old and has reflux. We were giving her aptamil with gaviscon and it helped a bit but not loads. Then we changed to enfamil AR about 3 days ago. She has suffered fro terrible constipation ever since - it must be he rice starch - she is unsettled and uncomfortable and did two big poos which made her bleed which broke my heart - she was crying loads. HAve tried baths, rubbing tummy, giving her water, a bit of water which has had prunes soaked in it etc and although she hasn't done any poos as bad as the first one they are still hard and she seems to struggle to get them out and needs me to help her by taking nappy off and rubbing her tummy. Any other rememdies or should I just go back to normal formula? She seems really happy though on the enfamil which is a shame...

for your DD. can you change the dosage of gaviscon as this might be contributing as well (your GP might be able to advise)? So the aim is to give minimum gaviscon needed as the recommended dosage per instructions might be too high.

Alternatively can you do more to manage the reflux and put DD back on original formula (eg keep waistbands loose - suggest avoid trousers/tights, make sure nappies are not too tight, keep upright, handle DD very gentle 30 mins after a feed etc)?

Thanks Iggly. we aren't giving her Gaviscon with the enfamil as it is already thickened Last night we went back to aptamil with gaviscon and this morning half enfamil and half aptamil (no Gaviscon) and she is upset again - crying during feeding, pulling off the bottle but still seeming hungry, crying in pain after feeding, generally unsettled.. I feel so bad for her as the enfamil helped so uch - if we could just get past the constipation it would be fine!

Could you try another brand of milk such as cow and gate comfort or SMA staydown? I have heard SMA can makes some babies constipated but obviously all babies are different.

Thanks Bertie! Good idea - I didn't realise SMA did one too and found it in Boots today. It is corn instead of rice starch so if she has more problems I might swap her over. She is now having 3:1 enfamil with aptamil and it seems to be a bit better (plus water etc too). Fingers crossed!