constipation

[Nauvoo]

Just wanting to get an idea of what others are doing for constipation.  It seems the formula is doing a number on DD's insides.  I've heard all kinds of remedies but I'd sure like to get an idea of what others are doing if it's even a problem for others.

[Ima shel Alon]

You might want to try a different formula.
We had this problem for a short time and I did several things:
I did give prune water (soaked prunes in boiled water and gave the water cooled), but you will find mane mommies who think it's way too early to do that.
I also used caraway seeds oil, massaging the belly in circles.
And the best thing that helped us was bicycle movement with the legs - so simple and it worked like magic!
If it does continue I think you should go see the Dr. though, just to be on the safe side.

[Lolly]

I agree with speaking to a Dr about it. We changed DD to an easy digest formula, the UK ones have a stool softener in them which really helped. I'm not sure if the US formulas do but it's worth looking into. The other thing my Health Visitor suggested was to put a little bit more water in each bottle. If you fill the water to slightly above the oz mark you need, then over the course of the day they get an extra oz or so of water, it's not enough to alter the formula bit gives a bit of extra liquid.

UK advice is to offer some cooled boiled water between feeds - just an oz or 2 over the course of the day.

As she is so little though your Dr should be the first port of call!

Laura

[Nauvoo]

thanks, will do!

[Nauvoo]

My doc says to give 1/2 ounce of pear juice in the morning bottle.  Anyone done this?

[*Kara*]

I don't think I would do juice at her age personally.

We did lots of bicycling of the legs here (generally works in a couple of minutes)... also a bit of extra water is still used at my house   I make 8 oz bottles and top them up to 8.5 ozs for my bubs

[*Becky*]

that's a good idea, I did not realise that was ok to do but it makes sense. Might start giving 7.5 oz water to 7 oz milk.

[*Kara*]

Totally fine Becky   My doctor suggested it and it is actually in my Dr Oz book as a suggestion too

[Nauvoo]

So I hate to sound stupid but if I am making 3 oz bottles should I add .25 oz more?  I gave some pear juice this morning after a night of constipation and it certainly worked but I hate to do it often for fear of other issues.

[Lolly]

Yes - just add a little bit more water before you add the formula. So, for a 3oz bottle I would fill the water so it was just above the 3oz mark and then add 3 scoops of formula (or however many scoops your formula needs for a 3oz bottle!). You don't need much extra for such a small baby, filling just slightly above the oz mark will be plenty - you won't be filling it precisly anyway!

Laura

[rugbykaf]

Hi,

We did a similar thing, bicycled the legs and added a little extra water. After a couple of weeks they got used to being on formula and their poops softened 

Kath

[Nauvoo]

This is reassuring.  Poor thing was up all night backed up and I felt so bad for her.  Thanks for all the advice.

[*Kara*]

Poor bubs!  It's a tough thing to see them suffer with constipation - but do remember a little bit of it at this young age is just them learning to poop too

[Nauvoo]

well its been more than 48hrs since DD2 has pooped and I've been adding more water to her bottles but it hasn't helped so far.  i have been addling .25 oz more to her 3 oz bottles. should i add .5oz more or would this just make her want to eat more often?  and how long do you bicycle the legs for, this doesnt seem to be helping either. poor thing has been straining a lot today to no avail.

[Ima shel Alon]

Aww, sorry to hear that.
I have no experience with the extra water, but I am sure the other ladies will be pop in here.

You could also try and hold her feet and push them towards her tummy so that her knees bend, ykwim? You could do this a few times.

Maybe it's better to go and see the Dr. again.