My DD was FF and used to be terribly constipated When the constipation became unbearable for her I used glycerine suppositories. They are available over the counter at the chemist. Make sure you get the infant ones as they are smaller and softer than the adult ones. If they are still too big you can cut them down to an appropriate size. Get some KY jelly or something similar also to lubricate the suppository to make insertion easier. You just put one up bub's bottom; make sure it's all the way in, but don't force it! You need it to be just inside her anus so that you can prevent it from sliding straight out. (Wash your hands with soap before you insert the suppository!) Then hold her bottom cheeks together for 5 or 10 minutes to prevent it from slipping out and to give the suppository time to dissolve. It softens the bowel motion (the poo!) and also lubricates the rectum to make passing the motion easier. It does not irritate the bowel, which laxatives do. It worked every time for my DD, although occasionally, if we cut one in half, we needed to insert the second half as well. After about 5 or 10 minutes (try to give it at least this long so that the suppository has time to dissolve, you might find your DD wants to poo sooner but try to hold off or she will only pass part of the motion and you'll have to start again!) DD would have the urge to poo (she would start grunting and tensing up her tummy) and we would hold her little legs up towards her tummy in a bent position to give her something to brace against. Sometimes her poo was like a crayon ouch!! Until DD started on solids we used suppositories maybe... once a week or so, sometimes maybe more often, sometimes less. She is 6 now and is an excellent, regular poo-er, so no long term effects!
I preferred the suppository to offering anything oral when she was only a tiny bubba and I didn't like the idea of using medication. I agree with Mantaray that at 4 weeks your DD's digestive system is not ready for sugar/juice etc. (although it is your choice, of course, whether you want to try these options). If you water down the formula you are risking bub filling up on water and not getting the calories and nutrients she requires from the formula.
Good luck, whatever you decide is best for Charlie!
Last edited by nickle730; February 20th, 2010 at 08:17 PM.
When the constipation became unbearable for her I used glycerine suppositories. They are available over the counter at the chemist. Make sure you get the infant ones as they are smaller and softer than the adult ones. If they are still too big you can cut them down to an appropriate size. Get some KY jelly or something similar also to lubricate the suppository to make insertion easier. You just put one up bub's bottom; make sure it's all the way in, but don't force it! You need it to be just inside her anus so that you can prevent it from sliding straight out. (Wash your hands with soap before you insert the suppository!) Then hold her bottom cheeks together for 5 or 10 minutes to prevent it from slipping out and to give the suppository time to dissolve. It softens the bowel motion (the poo!) and also lubricates the rectum to make passing the motion easier. It does not irritate the bowel, which laxatives do. It worked every time for my DD, although occasionally, if we cut one in half, we needed to insert the second half as well. After about 5 or 10 minutes (try to give it at least this long so that the suppository has time to dissolve, you might find your DD wants to poo sooner but try to hold off or she will only pass part of the motion and you'll have to start again!) DD would have the urge to poo (she would start grunting and tensing up her tummy) and we would hold her little legs up towards her tummy in a bent position to give her something to brace against. Sometimes her poo was like a crayon
ouch!! Until DD started on solids we used suppositories maybe... once a week or so, sometimes maybe more often, sometimes less. She is 6 now and is an excellent, regular poo-er, so no long term effects!
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