Bowel Movement Problems

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Bowel Movement Problems

by Kristina
(Stroudsburg, Pa)

My son is 5 weeks old now, he is formula fed on a similac brand. He was having a lot of problems with burping and passing gas, so that's why we switched the formula.

Now he has no problem burping or passing gas, but he strains and grunts and cries in pain when he is trying to poop and he just doesn't go.

The only way I can get him some relief is by taking his temperature rectally, but what confuses me is that when it comes out, it's really soft. So I can't really say that he's constipated because I thought that the poop is really hard if it's constipation?

Any suggestions?

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Bowel Movement Problems

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Dec 06, 2008

Milk Allergy
by: Rose

Yes these are the sure signs of a milk allergy in your child.

I had one go through this at the same age. You may need to try soy formula and or even alimentum or neutramagin, Both of these formulas are pricey but they are worth it if they will result in your little one not being in pain.

Our allergy was so bad that we had to go on RX formula. You will want to switch as soon as you can because if this goes on he or she can develop a bowel obstruction (been there done that)The gurniging is a sign that he or she is in pain, do not let your dr tell you other wise. I would switch as soon as possible.

Dec 08, 2008

Or possibly normal
by: Baby Help Line

Hi Kristina,

How good that you found and improvement by switching to another formula.

Just one thought; I don't know how much in pain your son is, but grunting and straining is normal even for breastfed babies, that typically have very soft poop.

Newborn babies have immature intestines, obviously, they haven't used them much before. SO they need to grunt and strain. Helping them to go, can actually make it take longer for them to get their bowel movements to work better.

If his poop isn't hard, he isn't constipated. I'd suggest (unless he is in very much pain), you let him take care of the process himself for a while. I know it is very hard to see your baby suffering, but why not try to help him by using baby massage instead?

You can read my review of a good baby massage book here.

Again, if he is in a lot of pain, have him examined by his Dr for allergies and other possibilities. But it does sound to me as if you've come at least part of the way with the new formula.

Wish you good luck!

/Paula

Jul 22, 2010

same here
by: Anonymous

EXACTLY the same problem... 6 week old boy, been formula fed on similac advanced early shield for gas and fussiness for 5 weeks (2 weeks strictly formula- no breastmilk), and around 5-7 am every nite he wakes up every hour grunting and screaming... sometimes he gets a poo out by then, other days it takes until 7 pm!!! and yes, when he does poo it is A LOT, brown, stinky, and wet. it's driving me crazy for many reasons 1) i feel bad about not being able to breastfeed and think that formula is the problem (although the breastmilk didn't fill him up and he had a lot of reflux probs when he was on it), 2) I am so tired and just want to sleep! 3) most of all, I don't want to see or hear my baby grunting or in pain. If anyone has a helpful answer that would be great, please email britbdm7808@aol. com.

Aug 22, 2010

same problem here too!
by: abby's mommy

Abby is 4 weeks old. Shes been formula only since birth. We had her on similac then she started giving us rock like poopy. Took her to DR and he said go to soy for a week or so until her digestive track gets going a bit better then its ok to go back to similac. We did this and found she screams her head off because of gas and is really fussy. So we went to Similac gentle for fussiness and gas. Its not really helping... she is only pooping 1x every 2 days but it is normal (soft and a lot) when she does go. However her grunts, pushes and red faces show us she is tring to go more often but cant get it out. Ive tried the tummy rubs, the bicycle motion with her legs, the bath and per DR suggestion the Vaseline on the q tip into anus. Nothing is working. Do you think we should go back to the soy for a while? Does this sound like a milk allergy? Any help would be great! Thanks (missalicia78@yahoo.com)

Oct 18, 2010

What I've tried
by: Anabel

My two year old son went through the same problem and the only thing that helped him was to switch and switch his formula until we found the perfect one. I know its a hassle, especially if you're on WIC, but in the end it was worth all the trouble.

We went from Similac Advanced to Similac Sensitive Isomil Soy to the orange can of Similac. We tried that Neotro-whatever its called until we came across Nestle Good Start, I think. I'm not quite sure if it was Nestle or Gerber..

Anyway, now my one month old daughter is going through the same only I think the Isomil will work on her. My suggestion is just try different ones, it does take about a week to a week and a half for the baby to get adjusted to the new formula though.

Oct 18, 2010

Similac
by: grandma

My grandbaby was on similac for 1 week and we couldn't figure out why she cried all night long. One night we touched her stomach and felt the rumbling, that's when we realized she was gassy. We immediately took her off and put her back on the breast. Never to put her back on formula ever again. For the relief of gas, we bought this thing called "Gripe Water" from the Jamaican store and this thing did wonders. It cost around $13.00. Expensive but we were able to sleep and it relieved the baby from all that smelly gas that the formula gave her. Whew!!

Jul 04, 2011

my baby is 5 months old with constapation
by: Anonymous

hello my son is 5 months almost 6 and he is constapated and he is on similac sensative also eating baby oatmeal with baby food in the morning pluss for lunch he eats just baby food then for dinner he eats baby oatmeal with baby food but he is haveing a really hard to making doodoo to the point where he is grunting.can someone please respond and my son didnt go doodoo in about 4 days now

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