Can you add karo syrup to formula to relieve newborn constipation or must it be mixed with water?

Question

My 12 week old son gets very hard stools and its painful for him so my doctor said to give him a bottle with karo syrup mixed with water. He takes it fine but then it makes him go longer without a formula feeding b/c it fills him up. Then it makes his later feedings very close together and it throws him off schedule. My question is, can I just add the karo to the formula, or must it be seperate with just water?

Answer 1

I have been a nurse for over 19 years and have never heard a doctor suggesting this.  If you overdose the syrup it can cause severe diarrhea and dehydration.  I would look for alternative methods or causes of the constipation.  Maybe there is an intestinal problem or the formula you are feeding?  I spoke with two of our pediatricians and they told me they would never tell a mom to give a water bottle with karo syrup.  You are basically relieving the symptoms but not finding a solution to an ongoing problem.  Good luck.  

Answer 2

Oh, dear.

What a dunce of a doctor.

Karo syrup is one of the TWO things you should NOT give to a baby under a year old because of botulism spores (honey being the other).

"The American Academy of Pediatrics warns that due to the potential risk of botulinum contamination babies should also not be given corn syrup."

I'm going to guess that the reason your 12 week old has such hard stools is iron overload.  Are the stools very dark colored?

Answer 3

You can put it in formula. Our pediatrician said to put it in the formula.

Answer 4

Karo is corn syrup which is very bad for anybody's health, especially a baby's, you should research and find a healthier alternative.

Answer 5

You can totally put it in the formula,

careful though, you'll give your baby a sweet tooth (kinda/almost) ;)

You can even for hard/dry stools dilute the formula a little bit, or give him an ounce or two of just water.

Answer 6

Our doctor told me to add it to his formula and not give it separately in water.  Why did I get thumbs down??  It was a statement.  Haha.

Answer 7

My son went through the same thing when he was younger. You add it to a bottle (once you add the water, add the kayo syrup, then the formula... then mix)

since your son is still very young, do not just mix it with water and give it to him. babies are NOT suppose to have water alone until they are six months of age