My 2 month old breastfed son is constipated?? Apple Juice?

Question

Since he was born, he has had really bad gas issues. All of a sudden, two weeks ago Thursday, the gas completely went away but he hasn't had a bowel movement on his own since then. Every diaper I used to change was dirty and all of a sudden, for two days, he merely had a skid mark in a couple diapers. He's obviously uncomfortable and has trouble passing his stools. I tried corn syrup three times and it didn't help. So, I started giving him Colace four days ago and anywhere from 10-18 hours late, he'll dirty a diaper. After that, nothing. It's not helping him get any more regular. I don't want to keep on giving him the medicine. So, I hate to do this too, but, should I give him concentrated apple juice? A pharmacist suggested this but I'm uncertain. If so, what kind? I don't want to give him some kind of juice with a whole bunch of sugar..

Answer 1

any time of juice wwill help him with this issue. milk and adiry will make it harder for him. u could also try like kid laxatives i think they have them at like a pharmacy. Good Luck.

Answer 2

Constipation in infants is when the bowel movements are hard and pellet like, it has nothing to do with the frequency of them.  A healthy baby can go up to ten days without a bowel movement and not be considered constipated.  I know this because I brought up the exact same issue with my daughter with both our family doctor and peditrican and that was their response.

You just have to remember that his digestive system is only two months old too.  It still has to mature and if you've added that corn syrup, it will mess things up ... adding juice will not help.  He should only be having breast milk or formula for the entire first six months of his life.  

Colace drops work okay for gas, but you're right when you say you don't want to keep giving it to him.  The best way is to help in other ways so that his body won't begin to depend of medical intervention.

Pumping his legs like he's riding a bicycle will help with the gas.  Gently pushing his legs into his stomach will help him push.   Infant massage might be the way to go with your little one, it's proven to help with digestion and sleep.  I took a free class through our community.  When all else fails a warm bath will relax him and and may make some bubbles.

If you're seriously concerned you should bring it up with your doctor and he'll be able to help you.  Don't use old wives tales or remedies until you've spoken with a medical professional.

Good luck!

Answer 3

My son has/had the same problem.  Since birth, he had a constipation problem.  My doctor told me to give him apple juice...any kind as long as it was pasteurized, and he has been going once or twice a day now.  That seemed to work.  Hope this helps!  Good luck!

Answer 4

Try diluted apple or pear juice with no sugar added. You can call your doctor and I am sure they will tell you that it is okay. I have three children and with all of my children, this is what doctors have suggested from a very early age. I would be more concerned about the corn syrup before the juice. Good luck to you and you little one!

Answer 5

I wouldn't give him juice because I dont think a baby could handle it that young. My daughter is 9 weeks & she had that problem in her first few weeks. I'm obviously not an expert but what has worked for me is Karo syrup. You can find it in the baking aisle at the grocery store. You can mix 1 tsp with 4oz of milk. I'm not sure if you're able to but maybe you could pump. It took about 2 bottles mixed with karo to work for my daughter & she hasnt' had a problem since.  

Answer 6

"Some breastfed babies, after the first three to four weeks of life, may suddenly change their stool pattern from many each day, to one every three days or even less. Some babies have gone as long as 15 days or more without a bowel movement. As long as the baby is otherwise well, and the stool is the usual pasty or soft, yellow movement, this is not constipation and is of no concern. No treatment is necessary or desirable, because no treatment is necessary or desirable for something that is normal."

http://www.kellymom.com/newman/04enough_...

Answer 7

Are you sure that he is constipated? a baby that is only breast fed can have only one bowel movement a week and still be normal (there is very little waste from breast milk). My son did the 180 thing and it completely freaked me out, i asked my doctor and he said it was normal, he's 10 weeks old now and gets a dirty diaper about every 2-3 days.