AboutMary Pat, R.N. Expertise I am happy to answer general non-diagnostic questions on infant & child care, infant & toddler feedings, discipline, illnesses, and how to access resources for the child with special needs.
Experience I am a pediatric nurse, an R.N. with 40 years experience first as manager of a community hospital pediatric department & 11 years working in a private pediatric practice. I have managed more than 100,000 phone calls from parents in private practice.
Question Hi Mary, my son is having some constipation problems since I started bottle feeding him. He is 7 wks old today and this problem has been going on since his 5th week. I have been given a lot of contradicting advices from my doktor, walk-in clinic doktor and health-care phone service over the past two weeks. Some say change formula, less iron, some say more water, some say don't give water, it doesn't do anything. Some say use laxatives some say don't. I am very confused even after doing a little research on line. The results are still very contradicting. He has been gaining weight regularly, 5-7 oz/wk and eating now 6x 5 oz a day, sometimes he asks for additional snack (3 OZ) durring evening. He is currently on Similac Advance, not the extra iron fortified type, I have been sugested to use Nestle GOod Start formula, because it is supposed to be the easiest to digest meal. PLEASE HELP! Give me your opinion and advice,
thank you
happy Easter
Jana Jindra
Answer Dear Jana:
Happy Easter to you also.
I am sure you are getting differing opinions.
I must ask what you mean by constipation? Is he not having regular bowel movements and are the stools like hard balls when passed? If so, that is constipation.
If he is not having regular bowel movements and the stools are soft and easily passed I am afraid that is not constipation. That is just his norm right now.
If the stools are hard and he is uncomfortable when passing them then I would suggest you change formula. I get a lot of complaints from parents whose babies take Similac Advance. I think it is a less gentle formula. I would change to Carnation or Nestle's Good Start as this is a gentle formula and usually well tolerated. If this does not correct the problem then I would offer an ounce of apple juice mixed in one ounce of warm water once a day. Or you can add one tablespoon of dark Karo syrup (corn syrup to 4 ounces of formula once a day.
I would not give any suppositories to stimulate him to have a bowel movement. They become dependent on them and you would find he will not go on his own over time without a suppository.
Good luck and if I may be of any more assistance please write again.
