Keep seeing Lactulose recommended on here - what is it, can you buy over counter?

[FrannyandZooey]

I was advised Fybogel for constipation after having ds and have bought some in case I needed it again. However I see that people on here seem to recommend Lactulose - I don't know what this is, whether safe for breastfeeding, and if it's in something you can get over counter or whether you need a prescription? Is it better than Fybogel?

does anyone know?

i got mine on prescription, i think it is easier on the tum than fybogel.

hmm

pain doesn't sound good - poor dd riven

fybogel worked ok for me but I was wondering if lactulose is like the super duper version

will ask midwife maybe

I got mine issued in hospital - standard stuff after C-section to get everything moving again so obviously OK with bf. It definitely worked although the thick, sweet syrup was a bit rank.

It is safe to use when breast feeding and can buy over the counter. It tastes lovely too and is very gentle and effective.

i thought the gist was that it doesn't cause as much pain as, say, senna etc. it's a stool softener, frank, a sugary thing that makes it more slidey basically. whereas senna etc is to be avoided post-labour (my gp said) because it kinda makes things shift in a more spasm-y way. i got it from the midwife... thank GOD.

you know, years ago, doing your first poo unassisted was the cue that you were ready to leave hosp. or so my mother informs me.

They work differently I think. Fybogel is bulk forming (has the same effect as fibre in the diet) whereas Lactulose works by osomosis, drawing more water into the stool making it softer and easier to pass. I think lactulose is probably the more gentle of the 2.

ok thanks chaps
may get both, I remember it being a bit scary and horrible to poo with stitches in
Aitch yes they asked me if I had gone when I wanted to discharge myself with ds
I lied