7 week old prescribed Movicol?!

[MrsHandles]

My 7 week old DS has been constipated for the past week. After writhing and screaming in agony this morning, I finally managed to get a doctors appointment. The doctor felt and listened to his stomach and bowels and said it was distended. He then prescribed Movicol - one sachet a day.

Once I’d picked it up, the leaflet inside says children 2-5yrs, no mention of 7 week old babies!

Is it still safe to give him Movicol at such a young age? He and I just want him to go and be comfortable.

Did the pharmacist say anything? They would have checked if it was okay.

DD has been having movicol for a very long time; can't remember exactly when she was first prescribed it but she was under 2 I think.

I'd call the GP and/or pharmacist to double check if you're concerned.

Is baby breast or formula fed?

Both my formula fed babies suffered from constipation. I was advised by my health visitor to switch one of the formula feeds a day to a sensitive formula. We are in Scandinavia and so the type I used as called Allomin. I used the normal Allomin most of the time and then for one feed a day I used a sensitive version of it. Did the trick as in Baby was pooing every day, instead of every three days having a poonami.

Iseethelight The pharmacist didn’t say anything, just got it bagged up and gave it to me.

beasternunny he’s formula fed and is on thickened anti-reflux stuff which he seems to be keeping down so don’t really want to mess with that at the moment. It’s been a long process just to get to this stage

Not sure about the movical , but I always put some extra water in every feed for my daughter. Maybe you could ask HV for advice ?

Totally understandable. Hope you find a solution soon MrsHandles

Dd was prescribed movicol at 8mths and I also queried the age range mentioned on the box after I collected the prescription and was told it was fine.

It is aldo sold over the counter not just on prescription so maybe it’s not available without prescription for under 2s?

Don't use extra water. You dilute the nutrition being delivered to your baby - they will feel full due to the volume of liquid but will not have had the right amount of vitamins, fat etc etc in the milk.

Pringle have I read that right that you put extra water in feeds? Do you jabs medical reason and supervision with that because it can be very dangerous for your baby.

Movicol is fine for even premature babies so your son will be fine. They have to put 2 and overon for over the counter sales

Ive never heard of a baby so young being given movicol. Normal you wpuld start with lactulose which helps soften the poo. Esp if youre using a thickened formula which can cause constipation because it causes the poo to be thicker. Im a paedicatric nurse and wouldnt give it to a baby so young without checking with a paedicatric pharmacist. Id go back and speak to the gp again or your health visitor and ask for lactulose.

Age 2-5 is the standard recommendation.

As with any other medication, doctors can and do override the standard recommendation.

I have an ADHD medication prescribed at over twice the standard dose.

I only ever go to one chemist because they know that it is fine and not a mistake or a fake prescription, other chemists have been more problematic.

Thank you all. I’m conflicted as to what to do. Not been able to get through to the doctor yet to double check but I keep trying. Just can’t bare to see DS in agony

Finally managed to get through to the doctor. He said it’s definitely fine to use. The company that makes Movicol has a license to sell over the counter for two years up but it’s safe to be given on prescription to under two. Thank you everyone for your support

Try YouTube for baby massage vids for constipated babies to complement drs advice

My grandson is 11 days old and was prescribed movicol for constipation by a gp, however the pharmasist advised it is not suitable for babies under 1
They spoke to gp next day and he said it is fine to use
Yesterday they received a phone call from the hospital telling them not to use movicol! And to attend today they suggested suppositories
Obviously we don't like the idea of suppositories being used in such a yoing baby? Any professional advice please?