Glycerin suppositories or apple juice?

[vegggeeemom]

Well, my son is really consipated now. He can't even go anymore.
What could be causing this? He is nursed and has fruit only.
I was suggested to give him glycerin suppositories, but don't know if that is what I want to do.
He does not drink from a cup or bottle, so how do I get fruit juice down him to help him go?
Anyone with advise? He is in pain. Going to get him in a warm bath to see if that helps move things along!

Thanks!

[Randolyn]

If he doesn't take a bottle or cup try using a dropper to give him some juice. I hope he feels better soon!!

Vikki

[rawgrrl]

This might be completely off the wall, but if you take the suppositories (or whatever he needs to help him go), will it come out in your milk?

Another thought is to get some sweetener -- raisin soak water, honey, agave -- and mix that with the apple juice and put it on his lips and let him lick it off. Or, put it on your nipples and let him suckle.

[Sharon in Colorado]

Try gently massaging his intestines. There could be a blockage. Also if you can help him with some gentle exercise for the abdomen, like kicking his legs (like a bicycle), it might help move things along. Hope it helps.

[vegggeeemom]

I did the massaging and the bicycle legs and some came out, but not all of it.
Poor guy.
I don't think if I took the suppository that enough would get through to him to help him. Not sure.
He is in the bath while dh is watching him and so I am going to make some apple juice and give it to him in the bath and if he makes a mess, he can wash up really easy.
Thanks for all your ideas.

[askcassyfirst]

YOu may want to consider probiotic supplementation. SOmetimes it helps. THere is a company called Natren that makes a supplement just for infants. PRobiotics are instrumental in creating bulk for our stool, thereby stimulating muscular contractions. They also directly affect the muscular contractions as well.

Babies recieve an initial inoculation of bifido bacterium while being born vaginally, and then by the end of their first few months of life have an active colony growing in thier intestine. Because our liver is responsible for filtering out bacteria in the blood, mom's don't pass on the bacteria through breast milk, so babies have to either get it initially during birth, or through contact with the breast (small amounts of different bacteria live on the human skin) or through supplementation. (Either direct supplements or fermented foods.)

I am not a mommy, but I do work in the digestive care industry and have a neice who has had severe constipation for most of her 4 years of life. Probiotics, the exercises mentioned above, a low sugar diet (refined sugar paralyzes the colonic muscles) and proper EFA consumption (good oils) have eliminated most of the problem. (Sorry for the pun :) )

Good luck.

Cassy

[truthseeker]

How old is your son?

I would try the tummy massage/leg movements. I also remember when my littles ones where VERY young any time that their temperature was taken via the bumb it made them go #2...right away. It could be a blockage.

I think that if you took the suppositories some of it may come through in your milk, would it be enough for him to have a bm? I wouldn't think so.

Depending on how old he is and how often he nurses says a lot.

When he does go check if this stool is solid and hard or if it's loose. When the colon is saturated (drinking enought water) that will promote a bm.

[stephbkr]

most of what I thought of has been posted: abdominal massage, probiotics, essential fatty acids... if your baby is eating fruit you could try soaking some prunes and puree them in a blender, kind of old fashioned but they work. good luck.

[stephbkr]

I just read in another thread that your son loves bananas! Did you know they are constipating? Try eliminating them from his diet and see what happens! :p

[vegggeeemom]

Hey, all thank you so much for your responses.
I have cut them way way down and he is still struggling to go.
I have thought about getting the prunes and pureeing them, just always forget. Will get some tonight and I like old fashioned! ;)
My ds is 13 months old. He is really needing food and I keep going back and forth between feeding him and strictly nursing him to get him going again. But, he's hungry. He wakes up ever 3 hours, and I need my sleep. Or want it at least!
Getting some priobiotics and they will be here this weekend.

Again thank you all for your replies and thoughts!

Pam

[Rawmommyof2-Sacramento]

I know what you mean. My 1st so had constipation so bad & was scared to use the suopositories due to the "poop" was to hard...
I gave him prune juice worked like a charm. Did you try this?

[Purl]

I second the rectal temp idea, before you try the other stuff.

[firefaery]

Sounds like a bacterial imbalance. I would advise against apple juice or suppositories...try a castor oil pack on his belly and then a warm bath. At this point his intestines are inflamed and the pack will help the inflammation. I would be nursing often-as much as he wants right now. I know it's hard on you, but what's a few nights compared to his pain and the toxic load from the constipation? You can do it, mama!

Probiotics are very helpful, but you may need more drastic measures to correct the imbalance. Juice of any kind is going to feed the bacteria, and that's reason number one to lay off. Do you have an ND or someone who can do a stool sample? Once you know the cause (which could be several things, but all of them lead to a caterial imbalance which leads to constipation and impaired peristalsis) it is so much easier to treat and get this behind you.

Bananas are only constipating if they are green. Fully ripened (black spots) they aren't constipating at all unless you have a food allergy.