DS pooping - is he constipated?! Please help :(

[newmum234]

Sorry, I know I’ve posted about this before but am so confused!

DS is 8 months old, on two solid meals a day plus 840ml of formula. He’s only ever really pooped every 2 to 4 days, but in the last month or two it has turned into every 4 days as a regular thing. He doesn’t seem to be in any pain and when he does go, he strains a bit and goes a bit red in the face, but the poop has a normal consistency (there’s no hard pellets or anything).

I went to the pharmacy over Christmas and they gave me a bottle of lactulose, but having googled it, I read that it’s a stool softener - and that confused me as DS’s stools are not hard. It also says it should be given under supervision of a doctor - but the pharmacist barely asked me any questions at all and just handed it over!! Is it safe to give to DS and also, is it even the right medication for his situation?! Does he need any medication at all if he’s seemingly not in pain - perhaps he’s just an infrequent pooper?!

I do give him regular prunes and pears but even with that he still goes every 4 days. He doesn’t drink enough water as he seems to dislike it.

Please help!

If you're on Facebook, you can join movicol mummies group which is a really helpful space.

Lactulose is okay for babies but most people use movicol. If he is only going every 4 days I would give lots of sachets of movicol in his water or milk but the Facebook group will have better advice.

I’m actually not on Facebook - deleted my account last year! Does Movicol need to be prescribed by a doctor or can I buy it over the counter?

I don’t get why the pharmacist just handed over the lactulose when it says that it must be given to babies under supervision of a doctor?!

I got told by my GP that lactulose should ideally be tried first as movicol isn't licensed for use in under 1's. It's not dangerous for them, but shouldn't be the first thing to be tried. We have lactulose on prescription but GP has only ever done 1 phone consultation and just put it on repeat for us. It encourages more water into the bowel, so make sure he is drinking loads

If he's not in pain I wouldn't worry, my youngest is nearly 5 and still only poos about twice a week! He's always been that way! My youngest was premmie and had lots of trouble pooing when we change from breastfeeding to formula and we were prescribed lactulose. His poi was always soft but he was in obvious discomfort. We had to use lactulose for quite a while. The good thing about lactulose is it's very safe. Although it wasn't very predictable. It took a few days if giving it before he would actually poo and then it would be like a flood!

It encourages more water into the bowel, so make sure he is drinking loads

That’s the thing, DS barely drinks water! So what am I meant to do?

The fact he doesnt drink water is probably the reason behind him pooing so rarely. Can you up this?

The fact he doesnt drink water is probably the reason behind him pooing so rarely. Can you up this?

@1940s I’ve tried various types of cup but he’s just not interested! I don’t see how I can get it down him if he won’t drink it. Sometimes he will even take it into his mouth then dribble it all back out again! :( I have been giving him watery foods like watermelon and pear purée, but it doesn’t seem to make a difference to the poop :(

Also, he is getting a lot of fluids from the formula - does that not help? Do other people’s babies just drink water happily?!

Do other people’s babies just drink water happily?!
No!! DC only drinks from an IKEA glass. The ones that are 50p and like you’d get at a bar with too much ice in.

Have no idea why but if I put any fluid in it he’ll drink it, no other cup will work. Grrr.

When I was trying to get more water into my baby the HV said that for every few sips of formula, take the bottle out and quickly swap it for a bottle of water, they will automatically have a couple of sips before they realise and then swap it back to the formula etc.

Although it does just sound like that is your baby's regular movements? For my DS if he doesn't go for more than 2 days then the next bowel movement is large and hard and he absolutely screams as it comes out, bless him.

Forgot to add: He’s 6.5m so obviously we help him hold/tilt.

Also my HV advised that the pre made formula bottles can help with bowel movements, as opposed to formula you make up yourself. Something to do with the way it is made.

If he is eating and seems happy and comfortable, I don’t think it matters. I wouldn’t be dosing him up with lactulose.

Yeah, sounds dehydrated maybe? How often is he having wet nappies?

Although it does just sound like that is your baby's regular movements?

Could be, if he takes after me - TMI!

But on the other hand I’m worried as 4 days does seem like a lot for a baby?!

Does anyone know if orange juice might help? I read on another thread that giving babies juice is a very bad idea due to the problems it can cause to their teeth, so had been avoiding it...

Yeah, sounds dehydrated maybe? How often is he having wet nappies?

I can’t say exactly how many he has a day, but his nappies are often heavyish when changing!

Thanks @Crimblecrumble1990, I could try that!

Access ERIC UK webpage amazing site supporting health bowels and bladder helpline also to call for advice

My DS at 3.5 years has only started going more regularly now - once every couple of days. He takes one sachet of movicol a day.

Would your little one take prune juice (can mix with a little apple juice).

Every 4 days isn’t ideal but can be normal. Have a word with your gp for advice x

@Patienceisvirtuous is prune juice more effective than prune pouches would you say? Also, how often did your DS go when he was 8 months old?

Access ERIC UK webpage amazing site supporting health bowels and bladder helpline also to call for advice

Thanks!

ERIC UK really useful website all about bowels and bladders

Thanks everyone - DS is now drinking more water and has been pooping daily or every two days for the last 6 weeks. Problem (for now) solved!