Constipated baby. Advice needed please.

Jin · Apr 5th, 2012, 06:50 AM

Hey everyone.

My baby is 3 weeks old and has been constipated. He was going about every 3 days or there abouts and the last couple of times his poo seemed to quite dry compared to other times. He last went on sunday morning and when I just changed his nappy he had been but it was a solid lump, not mushy and it had blood in it and also there was blood when I wiped his bottom so I'm pretty certain this is constipation. I can not get hold of a health visitor or doctor despite trying numerous times since yesterday. He is currently on SMA gold formula. Do you think changing his formula would help at all? If so which formula would you sugest is the best for digestion? Cow and Gate? Aptamil? Or another I don't know about? I'm in the UK.

Thanks Ladies

leigh5tom · Apr 5th, 2012, 11:00 AM

Okay firstly I would tackle the main problem of him being constipated before changing formulas. My HV said best things to do is to give him 24hours of feeds which are the ready made ones, so but a carton of that and give him that for his feeds for 24hrs. Also, some cooled boiled water to help soften things and keep him hydrated enough for his poo to be lubricated (sorry TMI!)

A warm bath and a gentle massage on his stomach may help, also laying him flat and moving his legs in a cycling motion.

As for changing formulas, I know Aptamil do a Comfort formula, which is easier to digest and kinder to delicate tummies, you could try that? Buy a few small cartons first and see how you get on.

Best of luck xxxxxxxx

kanga · Apr 5th, 2012, 11:30 AM

I would personally change formula. C&G is the 'middle one' in terms of thickness IMO and does make a lot of babies constipated. With SMA being the 'thickest'/creamiest hence causing constipation. And Aptimil the most watery/thin. I would aim to get your baby on a number 1 milk rather than messing about with the comfort ones, there's nothing to suggest your baby can't digest cows milk protein or anything like that.

I also wouldn't give water on the basis your baby is very very young and needs milk right now. Water may replace some of the milk which can't be a good thing.

Rub your hand round your babys tummy in a clockwise motion, to help ease the constipation in the meantime x

Aurora79 · Apr 5th, 2012, 22:18 PM

The child health nurse said to give cooled, boiled water between feeds but I find that my daughter won't take it, so now I just had 5ml (such a tiny amount) more water in each bottle and she hasn't been constipated since.

Jin · Apr 6th, 2012, 02:46 AM

Thanks for your replies

He actually takes cooled boiled quite well anyway. About 1-1 1/2 oz a day. I finally spoke to a health visitor who said that quite a large number of babies get constipated on SMA gold and has advised me to change to Aptamil so I am going to give that a go. I did buy the Aptamil comfort milk but it is so thick it was blocking the teats and when I tried the vari-flow ones he was then getting too much, spitting it out and getting frustrated so I think I will just give the normal Aptimail a go. He has finally pooed a couple of times but it's still quite hard but no more blood so I'm hoping once the SMA gets out of his system things will start to improve.

Apr 5th, 2012, 06:50 AM	#1
Jin Mum (Mom) Active BnB Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: South England Posts: 526	Constipated baby. Advice needed please. Hey everyone. My baby is 3 weeks old and has been constipated. He was going about every 3 days or there abouts and the last couple of times his poo seemed to quite dry compared to other times. He last went on sunday morning and when I just changed his nappy he had been but it was a solid lump, not mushy and it had blood in it and also there was blood when I wiped his bottom so I'm pretty certain this is constipation. I can not get hold of a health visitor or doctor despite trying numerous times since yesterday. He is currently on SMA gold formula. Do you think changing his formula would help at all? If so which formula would you sugest is the best for digestion? Cow and Gate? Aptamil? Or another I don't know about? I'm in the UK. Thanks Ladies

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Apr 5th, 2012, 11:00 AM	#2
leigh5tom Mum (Mom) Chat Happy BnB Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Norwich - UK Posts: 1,121	Okay firstly I would tackle the main problem of him being constipated before changing formulas. My HV said best things to do is to give him 24hours of feeds which are the ready made ones, so but a carton of that and give him that for his feeds for 24hrs. Also, some cooled boiled water to help soften things and keep him hydrated enough for his poo to be lubricated (sorry TMI!) A warm bath and a gentle massage on his stomach may help, also laying him flat and moving his legs in a cycling motion. As for changing formulas, I know Aptamil do a Comfort formula, which is easier to digest and kinder to delicate tummies, you could try that? Buy a few small cartons first and see how you get on. Best of luck xxxxxxxx

Status: Offline

Apr 5th, 2012, 11:30 AM	#3
kanga Other BnB Addict Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: England Posts: 3,724	I would personally change formula. C&G is the 'middle one' in terms of thickness IMO and does make a lot of babies constipated. With SMA being the 'thickest'/creamiest hence causing constipation. And Aptimil the most watery/thin. I would aim to get your baby on a number 1 milk rather than messing about with the comfort ones, there's nothing to suggest your baby can't digest cows milk protein or anything like that. I also wouldn't give water on the basis your baby is very very young and needs milk right now. Water may replace some of the milk which can't be a good thing. Rub your hand round your babys tummy in a clockwise motion, to help ease the constipation in the meantime x

Status: Offline

Apr 5th, 2012, 22:18 PM	#4
Aurora79 Pregnant (Expecting) Active BnB Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Perth, Australia Posts: 87	The child health nurse said to give cooled, boiled water between feeds but I find that my daughter won't take it, so now I just had 5ml (such a tiny amount) more water in each bottle and she hasn't been constipated since.

Status: Offline

Apr 6th, 2012, 02:46 AM	#5
Jin Mum (Mom) Active BnB Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: South England Posts: 526	Thanks for your replies He actually takes cooled boiled quite well anyway. About 1-1 1/2 oz a day. I finally spoke to a health visitor who said that quite a large number of babies get constipated on SMA gold and has advised me to change to Aptamil so I am going to give that a go. I did buy the Aptamil comfort milk but it is so thick it was blocking the teats and when I tried the vari-flow ones he was then getting too much, spitting it out and getting frustrated so I think I will just give the normal Aptimail a go. He has finally pooed a couple of times but it's still quite hard but no more blood so I'm hoping once the SMA gets out of his system things will start to improve.

Status: Offline

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