You haven't said how severe problem is: ie are stools hard? How often does baby empty bowel? Don't forget that babies bowels do slow down over time and they do go through little periods of constipation. It's when it becomes a chronic problem that you should worry.
My baby had terrible, chronic constipation from about 5 weeks and ended up being refered to paediatrition.
Some of the things we tried were are not actually recommended, but when you've got a baby who just goes days without going and ends up in terrible pain you feel you have to try something. Also, if you end up having suppositories prescribed bear in mind these can make the bowel lazy.
Firstly, taking baby to an approved osteopath can help - ours was trained in manipulating babies tummy to help with going to the toilet and this did work. In the end she taught me to do it as my daughter needed it everyday.
For mild constipation a few drops of apple juice in a drink of water may help.
Peppermint tea was also very good.
Little bit of brown sugar in a drink of water.
Unfortunately, our babies problem got so bad that she ended up on both lactulose (to soften) and on Senokot syrup (to stimulate bowel). She had to have both as she had a problem with both very slow bowel and hard stools. Senokot syrup is not allowed for children under 6 because it has not been trialled for that age, but our paediatrition prescribed it anyway as there appeared to be very little choice, although I would not recommend using this until the baby is at least 3 months old (get advice first) and even then start with a VERY low dose at night in babies milk and the same for lactulose as, even tho it's quite safe, too much can cause terrible tummy cramps and diarrhea.
I'm not trying to advise that you randomly try these things - get advice from health visitor, doctor etc. I'm just trying to share info with you as we went through hell with this and there was very little help for it. We had to wait for a long time to see a paediatrition and I had to resort to all sorts to help her, even the vaseline trick. But when you know that it's a problem that is going to go on indefinitely and your baby is in constant pain it's heartbreaking and frightening. You, as babies mother, know when your baby is not right and needs help.
I feel for you because I know how distressing it is. But, the good news is, that despite the fact she had a terrible problem with it, she's now on the whole pretty regular apart from the odd phase (she started to get better at 11 months old).
Sorry about the essay btw!!
My baby had terrible, chronic constipation from about 5 weeks and ended up being refered to paediatrition.
Some of the things we tried were are not actually recommended, but when you've got a baby who just goes days without going and ends up in terrible pain you feel you have to try something. Also, if you end up having suppositories prescribed bear in mind these can make the bowel lazy.
Firstly, taking baby to an approved osteopath can help - ours was trained in manipulating babies tummy to help with going to the toilet and this did work. In the end she taught me to do it as my daughter needed it everyday.
For mild constipation a few drops of apple juice in a drink of water may help.
Peppermint tea was also very good.
Little bit of brown sugar in a drink of water.
Unfortunately, our babies problem got so bad that she ended up on both lactulose (to soften) and on Senokot syrup (to stimulate bowel). She had to have both as she had a problem with both very slow bowel and hard stools. Senokot syrup is not allowed for children under 6 because it has not been trialled for that age, but our paediatrition prescribed it anyway as there appeared to be very little choice, although I would not recommend using this until the baby is at least 3 months old (get advice first) and even then start with a VERY low dose at night in babies milk and the same for lactulose as, even tho it's quite safe, too much can cause terrible tummy cramps and diarrhea.
I'm not trying to advise that you randomly try these things - get advice from health visitor, doctor etc. I'm just trying to share info with you as we went through hell with this and there was very little help for it. We had to wait for a long time to see a paediatrition and I had to resort to all sorts to help her, even the vaseline trick. But when you know that it's a problem that is going to go on indefinitely and your baby is in constant pain it's heartbreaking and frightening. You, as babies mother, know when your baby is not right and needs help.
I feel for you because I know how distressing it is. But, the good news is, that despite the fact she had a terrible problem with it, she's now on the whole pretty regular apart from the odd phase (she started to get better at 11 months old).
Sorry about the essay btw!!
