BTDT Moms - how have you helped your DC with pooping/digestive issues?

My 2 month old DS has trouble pooping. It doesn't come out hard (sometimes a bit more firm vs complete mush) but regardless, he has trouble pooping. He'll strain and grunt and make the poopie face and cry all to no avail sometimes. I feel so bad for him. We've had to help him with the thermometer trick or sometimes suppositories.

Prune juice made him extremely gassy. Ped and GI doc told me to give him dark Karo syrup which I've been doing for about 10 days (only 1 teaspoon 2xday, they recommended much more) and he has been successfully pooping on his own.

But, I don't feel too comfortable giving him the syrup and am wondering what people suggest I try and what maybe has helped for you. He's only 9 weeks.

Oh, he's on Alimentum if that matters.

TIA!

Re: BTDT Moms - how have you helped your DC with pooping/digestive issues?

Yael has always had pooping/digestive issues, though she isn't constipated at all.

Our Pediatrician recommended giving her extra fluids during the day, like pedialyte, or pear juice, so I do give her a few ounces a day to hydrate her. Other than that, I pump her legs a lot to help her pass gas and poop, and I just started oatmeal with probiotics which seems to be helping A LOT.

Re: BTDT Moms - how have you helped your DC with pooping/digestive issues?

Before solids, I swore by the bicycle legs and abdomin massages.

Now that she's on solids, if she's having trouble, I'll give her one of the P's....pears, prunes, peaches, or plums.

Re: BTDT Moms - how have you helped your DC with pooping/digestive issues?

Luce is the same. not constipated, but it seems like it's a Herculean effort.

I am sitting here on about 4 hours total of sleep after a night of pain from his gas

he's only 7 weeks so at this point it's just working his legs and patting his back. putting him on his tummy while I pat him seems to help, as does letting him sleep on my chest. the pressure on the tummy helps a bit.

we have a ped appt on Friday and I'm going to ask what else I can do. I've already given up dairy but we may also have to put him on a dairy free formula since I supplement.

can I ask why you feel uncomfortable giving him the Karo syrup?

Re: BTDT Moms - how have you helped your DC with pooping/digestive issues?

Dont use corn syrup for sure. I read in one of my books there is a risk of botulism spores in it.

DD has always had issues going. I always used pear juice, 1 oz juice to 1 oz water and that would help then. Now it's another story...

Re: BTDT Moms - how have you helped your DC with pooping/digestive issues?

I don't like giving him the Karo syrup because I don't think I should be giving him sugar when he's this young (he's 9 weeks). I just don't want him to develop a taste for sugary things whe he's young and its just empty calories I'm giving him.

I personally try to stay away from foods that have high fructose corn syrup (don't think its healthy) so I don't like giving it to him.

He has a pediatrician apptmt on Monday so I'm going to have my DH ask about alternatives. I mean he's not really constipated, he just can't push it out. I'm going to have DH ask about giving him an ounce of water to help soften the stool just a bit.

I actually just read this (from the Mayo Clinic site) which might be helpful: apply a small amount of water-based lubricant to your baby's anus to ease stool passage.

Re: BTDT Moms - how have you helped your DC with pooping/digestive issues?

I used a heating pad(the microwave ones)
Pump the legs, hold them against your belly and take deep full breaths. You can also lay them face down over your legs or arm.
Honestly this is the little dirty secret of infants. I don't know if people forget or what but I thought I would loose my mind with the belly issues.
I would only use suppositories after two days or so but I did use the thermometer and still do if I feel they need some help occasionally

It does get better after 3 months.

ETA: My Dr gave me lactulose which is basically what prunes are and that always helps

Message edited 12/9/2009 12:14:14 PM.

Re: BTDT Moms - how have you helped your DC with pooping/digestive issues?