Bowel Movement

Ok... for some reason warm up orange juice will clear you out in minutes (adults too!)... I also recommend a mild tummy massage... don't do suppositories without the guideance of a pedi...

Now...here's one to remember... not being able to POOP is the PITS.... So eat a fruit with a PIT and then you will start to POOP!

Avacado, Peaches, Prunes, Plums, appricots, etc...

pears, prunes. Try adding some pear or prune juice to the water - just a little bit.

Try to stay away from apples, bananas, rice.

From my experience, apples and pears can help. Like others have said, stay away from bananas for awhile.

Hi T.,

You are not alone. Most people do not like to drink water because they are not introduced to good drinking water without chemicals in it.

It is very important to get your baby to drink water and eat healthier. Bananas and cheese will make her constipated.

I found giving my granddaughter Barley grass at 2 weeks old kept her regular and not graving a lot of junk food like most children. She is 7 years old.

I educate people how to have a healthier life style to stay healthy.

Check out my web page and see other options that are available to keep you and your family in a safer and happier environment.
www.nikken.com/ninamarie

If you have any questions feel free to email me.

N. Marie

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6 months olds can go up to 10 days without a BM. This is normal when starting solids. Unless her tummy is swollen and painful when you touch it, or she's obviously trying to poo and can't, this is TOTALLY NORMAL!

My baby boy had this problem too. Try feeding her sweet potatoes and/or prunes baby food. Also, you could give her a teaspoon of corn syrup in four ounces of water (it's sweet, so she'll probably drink it up). Cut back on the rice cereal, too.

I've heard - through nurses at mom's groups I've been a part of. That 3-4 days isn't that long for a 6 mo. old. I assume that you are nursing? This is supposed to be the best. As long as she is getting fluids and still urinating. Also, bananas are supposed to lend themselves to constipation. Aside from plums, apple juice is supposed to be good. But it is suggested to water it down - 1/2 and 1/2. Good luck with this! L.!

My daughter had the same problem at 5 months. We just gave her 1/2 apple juice and 1/2 water in a sippy cup and that cured her in a jiffy. We actually had to limit a lot of the apple foods because she was going so much. Good luck.

Try gently, but firmly massaging the left side of her abdomen which is where the intestines are.

When my son was constipated I actually went to CVS and bought one of those ear irrigation syringes and gave him a warm water enema. He pooped immediately. (this is when I stopped using soy formula at all and now ONLY do breastmilk.)

People, including babies, become constipated when there is not enough water in the body. The body will pull the water out of fecal matter to rehydrate itself so make sure your baby is getting enough liquids.

this is very common when babies start on solids. she needs to be drinking 4-5 ounces of water a day; try a bottle, sippy cup, even spoon. you can mix in some pear juice to get her started, but she will learn to drink water. as others said, peas, peaches, pears and plums or prunes help keep the poop loose, while rice and apples and bananas make the poop more solid. you can also help her move her bowels by sitting her in a deep squat, or folding her legs to her chest, when she strains or makes signs that she's trying to poop. all these things have worked for us. dr. sear recommends putting the baby in a warm bath and massaging her belly (gently) to help move the poop.

Hi T.,
I have a 6 month old son, and we're having similar issues. According to my Dr. Spock book, it's perfectly normal for babies to go several days between bowel movements. It's considered constipation when their stools are firm. For that, they recommend 2-4 oz. or pear or apple juice. Since that's what my son had this morning, I'll be giving him 2 oz of apple juice mixed with 2 oz. of water in a sippy cup. I've also been told that only breatmilk or formula should be given in a bottle. If your dr.'s office has an advice nurse, you can always check with them!
Good luck!

I have been coping with the same and tried lots of remedies in few days to get rid of constipation in my one month baby. Finally, a natural tea babies magic tea worked and my son started having poop without any problem.

Organic Carrot Juice. It work on my sister and I when we were little ones (36yrs ago) and it works on my 2 year old. A cup and a half a day works for him so I would cut the amount since she's only 6 months old. It definitely can't hurt to try this if you happen to be hesitant.

Hope this will help. It's not good that they go so long without a bowel movement. Search this sight for another mom's concern. I wrote in length about this subject.

K.

TRY PRUNES AND OR PRUNE JUICE....ALSO THEY DO HAVE BABY SUPPOSITORIES YOU MIGHT TRY THAT AS WELL. mY SON WAS A LITTLE BACKED UP AND TURED OUT IT WAS THE BRAND OF FORMULA AND THE DOCTOR ALSO SAID TO TRY JUST PUTTING A THERMOMETER IN HIS BOTTOM AND SEE IF THAT HELPED.

Your doc would probably recomment apple juice in a bottle. It usually works. Look in the baby aisle at the grocery store, there are baby juices. they don't have much sugar in them, and are usually pretty natural. my friend had to give her kid juice usually an ounce a day, to get things moving nicely.... good luck.

I have a four month old and his doctor told us if needed to give him a little pear juice in a bottle and that it would work like a laxitive. Good Luck.

Apple juice is what my pediatrician always recommends (my girls won't drink prune juice).

Sometimes part of it is emotional. Help her to relax by being calm and soothing, hold her more with your heart loving her and put her in a warm water bath more often which will help her intestines to relax and release.
You can put warm hands on her belly and lower back (which feels nice no matter what)and just hold them there and send loving energy from your heart, which will also help the intestines move.
There is a tea for elimination you can get at a health store called 'smooth move'. Make the tea and use the liquid tea. It is mild for an adult but may be strong for an infant, so do not give her too much, you can mix maybe a quarter cup at a time into her juice.
The foods that can clog things up, are any foods the baby is alergic to (because the body creates mucus to protect itself), and milk products which are binding/constipating for many people. Try organic rice milk which most babies love. Also lots of kids these days are alergic to wheat.
If it continues, see a doctor because once the intestine gets enlarged it can create constipation problems in the future.

good luck!

A.

I would stay away from bananas, rice, apples, toast, carrots. Those are the foods you eat if you have diarrhea. Also, the baby cereals have extra iron which can make it hard too. Peas and string beans or other green veggies might help soften her bowel movement. I would try pureed mixed veggies or fruits whether in a jar or blended at home. You can mix carrots, sweet potatoes and peas or string beans and sweet potatoes, bananas with prunes if she doesn't like the tartness of prunes by itself or you can mix apples with blueberries or apples with apricots. Those that are known to constipate are ok mixed with other veggies/fruits. Without solids, was she already constipated? My daughter had problems with DHA/ARA formulas. It constipated her and we had to switch to a regular formula without it. That helped with gas and the constipation. Hope you find what helps her! Good luck!!

This is the kind of problem that is best handled by your pediatrician. Sudden changes in bowel routine can be serious. However, your 6-month-old may just be starting to form her own bowel habits that will be normal for her once she is on solid food. It's imperative that solid foods are accompanied with sufficient fluids. If your daughter doesn't like water (neither do I), then you'll need to try some other fluids that your pediatrician suggests. Generally, they recommend limiting fruit juices, but that may be just what your daughter needs to get things going. Don't wait until your baby has an impacted bowel; get her seen soon!

hi THIS MIGHT SOUND WEIRD BUT MY MOTHER IN LAW USE TO WARM UP WATER AND ADD A LIL SUGAR AND GIVE IT TOO MY KIDS AND THEY WOULD POOP, I KNOW WEIRD BUT IT WOULD WORK. ALSO IF THAT DOESNT WORK GET COOKIN OIL PUT SOME ON UR HANDS AND RUB HER TUMMY DOWN LIKE GIVING HER A MASSAGE THAT WOULD WORK TOO. GOOD LUCK

T.,
My son went through the same thing a few months ago when he was about 6 months old. His pediatrician told me that babies can go a week without having a bowel movement and that this is normal at times. He suggested that if he in fact was constipated to try apple-prune juice (Gerber makes one) and to use suppositories as a last resort. He said it is always better to start with remedies through the mouth because they can become dependent on suppositories!

Have you tried prunes? They seemed to work well for our litte ones...:)

I'm sure you'll get lots of food advice but also consider if this persists to take her to a chiropractor. Often times this can be very beneficial to constipation. She is sitting now and probably crawling so more pressure is put on her low back which may put pressure on the nerves. Often times just 1 or 2 treatments will do the trick.

If she is eating bananas yet, cut back on them. They always work to reduce diarhea.

My son had this problem since 3 mos. We gave him 1/4 tsp of mineral oil everyday and 2 oz. of Gerber apple-prune juice at the request of the dr. He immediately became regular (1x day). He is 10 mos., we eliminated the mineral oil at 8-9 mos. and increased the juice to 3-4oz. day. Also switched from rice cereal to whole grain oatmeal. He is regular (2-3x/day). He has been on solids since 4 mos.

Hi My name is R.. I had the same problem when my daughter was about that age and started soilds. I tried plums and anything I heard may work and had no luck. So I called Kaiser and what I had to do is go to Rite Aid and buy a infant suppository. I know that sound awful but it works within mintues. Good luck!

If your child is a breast fed baby, then 3-4 days is not an issue. Unless her belly is distended or she is having pain, I think it is not harmful. Bananas can be binding so watch the amount she takes in. Maybe only give those every couple of days. Apple or pear juice each day in her cereal will help also.
Trish

Is she upset or having trouble trying to go? If she is not i would not worry about it to much. If she is i would just keep giving her purnes and stay away from acidic fruit. You might want to back off a little on the baby cercal too. As long as she is having wet diapers i would not worry about her being dehydrated. James once went 4 days with out a poop and when he did go it was a big one. I think his bowels were just trying to figure out what to do with something solid in there. He was not having any touble with it he just did not go. I would call the doctor if she goes nmore than 6 or 7 days though.

Get the baby food prunes that gerber makes. It always does the trick. If she does not like it mix it with appelsauce.

Hope it comes soon for your peace of mind

A.

My 1 year old daughter actually had the same problem and still stuggles with it from time to time. She used to get soooo horribly constipated that she would spend hours pushing and pushing and, at the risk of sounding gross, all that would happen is that you could actually see the poo stuck in her butt. It was horrible. When it would happen, she would cry for days on end. The doctors told me to use corn surup and water for her to drink, but that seriously made it worse. I've talked with other mom's whom have used that and they have said the same thing. I would not recommend that. My daughter, also, at the time hated water too. What seemed to work and still does, is for her to either drink prune juice or eat baby food made out of prunes. That actually seems to work within minutes. I didn't get infant prune juice...I don't think that they have it. I just got adult normal prune juice and diluted with water and gave it to her.
Hope that it helps with you. I completely understand how difficult this situation can be.
Good Luck

My Pedi always told me food that start with a P are good to help constipated babies. Pears,plums,peaches,peas.
apples and bananas and Rice ceral will make youraby constipated. so if you can feed your baby oatmeal or barley instead of Rice cereal.

My 6 month old goes through the same thing- has ever since we started cereal and baby food. I agree with the others who say to avoid bananas. Prunes help my little one if I give it to her for several meals in a row. Also we give her oatmeal instead of rice cereal since it has fiber and is less constipating. If my daughter goes 3-4 days without a BM, I will give her a glycerine suppository. They are safe and work great. It is true, though, that if they are not in pain or having hard stools, then they are most likely fine. I just can't stand waiting for the big diaper blowout!! The massage techniques as people have suggested are sometimes helpful. I also will help my baby by holding her knees up to her chest to allow her to have something to push on. Good luck!

applesauce might work since apples are high in fiber.

does she seem to be in pain?
is she breast fed other then solids?
Did you talk to her pedi?

My pedi always recommended the "p" juices.. plum.. pear.. etc..

If she's in pain try a suppository..

We had the same experience. Step one, child suppositories to get her moving again. Not enjoyable, but effective. We had to do a few in a row to empty her out because she was also about 3-4 days behind. Step two, add juice to her daily regimen. We started with diluted prune juice (about 1-2 ounces prune juice to the bottle of water). She takes to it great in a bottle, not so successful with a sippy cup. We have made this juice bottle a part of our life still because with out it she gets backed up. She is now eating finger foods so she can have dried prunes cut up. We cut back on the rice cereal as that is a little harder for her than oatmeal or barley. Now, I mix the rice cereal with prune juice and she does great. If you can't get your daughter to drink prune juice try apple or pear. The natural sugars help her stool absorb liquid and move smoother. I have chosen to avoid sugar syrups, not wanting sugar a part of her diet yet. Good luck! It is not a pleasant problem (for either of you) so stay ahead of it with the juice.

some stewed prunes worked for us, but mostly if she is just starting on solid foods, it's a BIG change for her system and pushing lots and lots of water with and in between food is always a good idea. Can you try mixing stuff into her water so that she will drink it? If she is still nursing-- nurse her as much as she wants to. Liquids are especially important in the hot weather. Constipating foods seem to be-- bananas, rice, applesauce, and of course anything with less moisture.

Some of us are sensitive to the chlorine in tap water, and reverse osmosis water from the health food store is an easy alternative. I don't know how much water a 6-month-old needs to be drinking though, other ladies can help you with that more than I can.

Hi, I would bring her to the doctor that seems like a long time for a young baby. Best of luck.

Any type of fruit or fruit juice. The more the better.

Hi T.,
Constipation is generally pretty uncomfortable. If your baby seems her normal happy self and isn't spitting up more than she has in the past (if she spat up in the past) she's probably fine. However, when she does have a bowel movement, be on the lookout for either dry, pellet-like poops or really runny, watery ones (sometimes so watery that the diaper just absorbs them. The super runny BMs can be a sign that there is a solid lump in there and only really liquidy stuff can get by. That happened w/ my son. As nasty as it sounds, Jacquie's advice about placing a gloved finger w/plenty of vaseline (for your baby's comfort) about a half inch or so into her bottom can help. When our son had severe constipation (in pain, spitting up a ton, etc.), the pediatrician did this, and the flood gates opened. We did not do this ourselves because the doc then put our son on Milk of Magnesia. I would not recommend using it w/out your pediatrician's advice, though, because you do not want to give your baby anything unnecessary. Also, as others have said, maybe you can give her a bottle of watered down juice. Apple, plum, or pear would be good choices. However, while apple juice is ok, applesauce is not. It can cause stools to bulk. Good luck with this!
K.

Try raw Papaya about a table spoon or 1 to 2 ounces of prune juice

Fluid is the most important. Add a tiny bit of juice to her water or give her formula if you are not breastfeeding as much. Make sure she gets fluid every time she eats. You may want to ease up on the cereal and give more fruits and vegetables (I always mix some in my baby's cereal). You can also add a little omega oil in all of her food. It is good for the brain and good for digestion.

Hi, I have a 16 month old son and he at times would have the same problem. You can give them white grape juice which will trigger them to give a bowl movement. Also, I know its not recommended, but Karo syrup in there rice cereal in the morning. Good luck and I would also consult with a pediatritian.

If you are not opposed to over the counter methods there is a gentle baby suppository that you just gently insert and it is guaranteed to produce a movement because she will push it out. It has the texture of a solid Vaseline suppository. If she does not poop after that you must take her to a pedi. Good Luck.

Increasing fluids is the number one help for most conditions, constipation is one, apple juice, apple sauce should help as it is fiber. consult with your Dr, as to what other things you can do, there are diff causes of it.If it because the stool is too hard , you can buy Glycerine Suppositories and hold one partially in the rectum to help stimulate the urge to go and soften the stool, but You must ask your Dr first before using any over the counter or herbal treatments.

Think of the word - BRAT - this is the name of the diet given to kids who have the opposite issue - diarrhea. So stay away from:

B - bananas
R - Rice
A - Apple (or any other fruit wth pectin, i.e. pears
T - Dry Toast

Hi T.,

Try rubbing/massaging her belly clockwise for a few minutes really getting in there to help get things moving. I find this works best.

Try giving her a little mineral oil. It is completely natural - no color - no taste. That will work to soften her stools and will help her to be able to poop. I would call her doctor - 3 - 4 days is a long time not to have a bowel movement.

Have you tried baby lax. You can get it at walmart. I used it for my kids and it worked within 1/2 hour. It's safe my kids doctor reccomended it. Good luck. M. P

My daughter went thru a spell where she couldn't have a BM either. The pediatrician suggested suppositories, but after while, I found that simply - and sorry, this is gross - but putting Vaseline on my finger and sticking it in her rectum made her feel like she wanted to get "it" out. (Don't leave your finger there. Just place enough Vaseline on your finger to leave a small lump so she'll want to push it out.)

The pediatrician also gave us something along the lines of Metamucil, but for babies, to mix in her food or drinks. That worked as a fiber source.

Good luck!

I would try a nutritional juice product called Genesis by Symmetry Direct. It is 100% natural juice (grape, pomagranate, apple, aloe vera, 15 infused herbs). It has been very good for all digestive tract needs. It is very safe for babies, even as soon as 6 weeks.

You can check it out at my website www.symmetrydirect.com/dhendon . Watch the 3 videos there and call me with any questions.

Victorious Living to you and yours,
D. Hendon
###-###-####
www.symmetrydirect.com/dhendon

Try unfiltered organic apple juice. Not to much or you will get diarreah.

try prune juice in her bottle (if she's taking a bottle.) I'd start off w/ a tablespoon. It worked well for us w/ both my daughters.

She should not be going 3-4 days without a bowel movement. Ease up on the cereal and start integrating more vegetables into her diet. You can also water down a couple of her feedings of breast milk or formula (but don't water breast milk or formula all the time or she won't get enough nutrition). Just like adults, often the culprit is not enough water but at 6 mo. old most children will not like straight water. Baby food prunes is VERY effective as well. I suggest using an infant glycerine suppository (available at the local drug store over the counter) to get her having a bowel movement ASAP. Then follow it up with dietary changes to hopefully prevent more constipation. I had to do this with my son on several occasions and it worked well. Eventually as they adjust to food, the constipation issues will start to lessen.

Hi,

I used to heat up a little olive oil in the microwave for a few seconds and just put a little dab in their mouth and then rub the rest on their belly while it was still warm. It used to work well for my kids. My mother in law showed me this trick.

Have you talked with your pediatrician about this? My daughter had a bowl movement every 7-10 days until she was ~10 months old. When she would go to the bathroom, it was a very nice consistency and she did not strain to go to the bathroom. Her peditrician said this was very normal for breastfed babies. If you're using formula, it's also very common for the high iron to bind your baby, so you might try a new formula. But, if your breast feeding, you feel she isn't constipated and you've talked to your pediatrician, I wouldn't worry about it. My daughter is 16 months old now and poops ~2x a day and I miss those poo-free days!