10 month old severly constipated, HELP! ( I already posted this in the baby section!!) | ExpatWoman.com
 

10 month old severly constipated, HELP! ( I already posted this in the baby section!!)

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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 16 May 2011 - 10:32

My dd Malak is now 10 months old, she had her open heart surgery 7 weeks ago. She has been on a lot of medications, but now we have weaned her off all except lasix (diuretic). For the last 3 weeks she has been suffering from severe constipation and I am at my wits end on what to do to get her regular!

I took her to the pead last weekend and she said to change her formula and only give her foods that help with relieving constipation, like prunes, pears, plums, apricots, etc...... and to have her sip on water from a sippy cup through out the day. Well for a week we have followed her advise but NO improvement to her constipation! She now has a cpl of hemorroids and a few little fissure tears!! She is in agony when it is time to POO!

I resorted to giving her duphalac to help her out and it did work after two doses over two days. But today we are back to constipation UGH. I dont want to keep giving her the laxative, I am afraid she would become dependent on it?????

Because of all her surgeries and hospital stays, she is not crawling, pulling up etc... so she is not very active yet. Maybe this could be one reason? Please give me advise on what has worked for your babies who have been constipated! I know the Lasix can play a part in the constipation, but her dose was cut in half last week when she visited her cardiologist. Also, I gave her a warm bath today which is the first one since her surgery as we were not allowed to get her incision very wet for the first 6 to 7 weeks. She had just been getting sponge baths until today. Hopefully the warm baths will help???

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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 16 May 2011 - 14:21
oh bless her progress... may she be strong and healthy soon! :) fairy dust!
129
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 16 May 2011 - 14:01
I talked with her paed here and her cardiologist and they both agreed to give her duphalac every morning for two weeks. This will hopefully help make the stools loose in order for the tears to heal! They both said Duphalac is extremely safe and is the best thing for pregnant mommies and babies. It is basically like giving Karo syrup. They also suggested giving her Guigoz Formula, has anyone heard of this formula? She also mentioned the vaseline idea and tucking her legs up for now until the hard ones are done coming out and the Duphalac has kicked in. Hopefully her little Bum will heal soon and the hard stools will resolve! On a good note, her cardiologist in Abu Dhabi saw her last Tuesday for the first time since we returned back to Dubai. He was amzed at how well her repairs looked on the Echo! He was very happy and she does not need to be seen for a whole three months!
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 16 May 2011 - 13:09
I remember being told to kind of 'cycle' their legs as though they are riding a bike. It can't hurt to try AND seek medical help as has been suggested. I second this... i used to do this with my DD when she was young... most of the little ones on formula get constipated as the feed is quite thick... the paed i referred to at the time suggested diluting the feed with more water and also doing the 'cycling' their legs, 'crossing' the legs, 'folding and unfolding' the legs... all this helps stimulate the bowel movements more... praying for her quick relief...
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 16 May 2011 - 13:09
They sell prune yoghurt in Carrefour. Works a treat and tastes yummy too.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 16 May 2011 - 12:27
Possibly you already have had suggestion of prune juice but it does work well and worked well for my 12 month old DD a few years ago...(who had a couple of abdominal surgeries in her)first month) A good quality prune juice from organic cafe or similar probably best...dilute to begin with but depending on progress (or lack of) then you can adjust the dilution. Good luck.
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 16 May 2011 - 11:47
Boil a kettle and add a teaspoon of brown sugar - wait for it to cool to room termperature and give her that. It was the only thing to work for my DD. Also, they love the taste (as they would!) so will definitely drink it. Also smear a little vaseline around her anus to help her when she does go and when she looks like she needs to, lay her on her back and gently tuck her legs up to her chest with her nappy off. Make sure also that when her nappy is on, it is nice and loose. Good luck. x
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EW EXPERT
Latest post on 16 May 2011 - 11:11
Thanks SW yes my two docs here are in communication with her cardiology team in Boston. They are very good about returning my calls and/or emails very fast as well! I just call them so much already about the "heart" stuff because I am constantly paranoid that I thought constipation was something they may chuckle about. I DONT need to assume this cuz obviously it is causing her more distress than her heart at this point in the game!!!! I will email her cardiologist and my fav nurse prac in Boston today! Thanks again! All the best GS, i have had a hospital child myself so know of the anguish you are going through, there will be light at the end of the tunnel but the journey is pretty sh1t! It will all be worth it in the end, stay strong. xxx
129
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 16 May 2011 - 11:08
Thanks SW yes my two docs here are in communication with her cardiology team in Boston. They are very good about returning my calls and/or emails very fast as well! I just call them so much already about the "heart" stuff because I am constantly paranoid that I thought constipation was something they may chuckle about. I DONT need to assume this cuz obviously it is causing her more distress than her heart at this point in the game!!!! I will email her cardiologist and my fav nurse prac in Boston today! Thanks again!
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EW EXPERT
Latest post on 16 May 2011 - 11:07
The constipation actually started while we were still in the states. I spoke with her cardiologist there and the two Nurse practitioners that dealt with her in the hospital. They all 3 said it is normal for cardiac babies because of the diuretics, once they are weaned from it things should get better. they didnt seem too concerned. Last week same with paed, she said it is normal. And then she advised on what might help........... I will call her back today and let her know that the tears are still there and things are not better. Hopefully she will take it more serious this time! I do help her poo when she starts straining, I hold her little bottome to help it from popping out so much (if you can understand what I mean), this seems to have helped with the tearing but the tearing and hemorroids already there have not gotten better. I will also text her caediologist in Abu Dhabi and see what his advise is as well. Thank you for the suggestions ladies, she has been through a lot and constipation is of the minor compared to open heart/bypass surgery! But anytime your kid struggles it is heart wrenching!!! Just seen your post, repsonded above before i saw it! You have been through the mill, terribly hard all round and as hard as it is sometimes in order to fix and help one issue anotehr one has to suffer, horrible for the parents and child. The heart recovering is priority now it's a case of what can be done to help with the constipation and i'm sure with chasing this up someone can come up with some advice that may help your LO.
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EW EXPERT
Latest post on 16 May 2011 - 11:03
Gunscoley even the duty nurses at your hospital in the US will be able to give sound advice with this, please don't worry about calling the teams involved they will fullly understand and want to help you and your DD. When it comes to kids never worry about calling for help and advice at any time of the day or night there will always be someone who can help. Make sure the doctors here are the right ones and communicating with your team from the US, i know that CIty hospital does this really well with GOSH in the UK with pead cases. The lasics are deyhydrating her at this time and getting enough fluids in to keep her from being constipated is going to be hard but with some sound advice from your teams and possible ask for a pead nutritionist you will find the answers. all the best.
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EW EXPERT
Latest post on 16 May 2011 - 11:02
I'm with SW on this - please take her to get checked - poor little thing. I did post natal baby massage classes and the mums with constipated babies were told to gently rub the babies tummies after their baths in the shape of I L U - I love you...... just stroke with 2 fingers some oil on their tummies in the line of an I then the line of an L and follow with a U - the results were amazing - all it's really doing is helping the blockage gently along the digestive system but boy - did it work! Remember very gently and calmly - it was quite extraordinary how something so simple helped so many of them. Good luck and I hope your little one feels better soon.
129
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 16 May 2011 - 11:01
The constipation actually started while we were still in the states. I spoke with her cardiologist there and the two Nurse practitioners that dealt with her in the hospital. They all 3 said it is normal for cardiac babies because of the diuretics, once they are weaned from it things should get better. they didnt seem too concerned. Last week same with paed, she said it is normal. And then she advised on what might help........... I will call her back today and let her know that the tears are still there and things are not better. Hopefully she will take it more serious this time! I do help her poo when she starts straining, I hold her little bottome to help it from popping out so much (if you can understand what I mean), this seems to have helped with the tearing but the tearing and hemorroids already there have not gotten better. I will also text her caediologist in Abu Dhabi and see what his advise is as well. Thank you for the suggestions ladies, she has been through a lot and constipation is of the minor compared to open heart/bypass surgery! But anytime your kid struggles it is heart wrenching!!!
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 16 May 2011 - 11:01
Agree with everyone about seeking avice from your doctor... However when DS was a baby he was frequently constipated so I used to "help" him. I know this is going to sound disgusting but when your child is crying in pain you do whatever you have to do..so I used to feel around the outside of his anus (sort of towards his back just under his cheeks) and I could feel the build up of poo so by gently pushing it I could him to squeeze it out. Sorry I know this sounds awful but it really helped for us.
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 16 May 2011 - 10:50
I remember being told to kind of 'cycle' their legs as though they are riding a bike. It can't hurt to try AND seek medical help as has been suggested.
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 16 May 2011 - 10:49
Not going to give any advice (other than to get proper medical advice quickly for your DD) as SW says, this is a complicated case but just wanted to let you know I sympathise. Hugs go to you Gusncoley. DD suffered chronic constipation from 7 months onwards and we were frequently at the hospital with her - it is heartbreaking having small ones with constipation. I have memories of one middle of the night trip when DD was being held down while they gave her an enema as she was in so much pain with constipation... and I had tears streaming down my face watching her, not nice.
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EW GURU
Latest post on 16 May 2011 - 10:42
Sticky wickets advice is wise. Freshly squeezed orange juice is also good for constipation. It is very very important your child has plenty of water and also roughage otherwise will remain constipated. Good Luck and go back to your doctor here again . Write down all food and drinks you are giving the child and note down the quantities, 20 mls/ozs , 50 grams /ozs this will help the doctors decide if any further action is required and specifically what action is needed. Good luck !
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EW EXPERT
Latest post on 16 May 2011 - 10:42
agree with Sticky. While you wait after her warm bath when she is relaxed you can give her a gently abdomen massage, that always helped with mine. Gentle is the word. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wYBeurv0CFg
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 16 May 2011 - 10:42
I used to stew some prunes and then give the juice diluted with some water in a bottle ?? But I would get hold of the doctors as it does sound a little more complicated. Poor thing :(
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EW EXPERT
Latest post on 16 May 2011 - 10:35
Seriously you need to speak with your team of doctors in the US or here, this is not a question for EW as the case is complicated. Please do not hesistate with calling your hospital in the USA they will have experience of this and be able to advise further. This is serious and needs the right advice. good luck.
 
 

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