Constipation - switch formulas?

Izzy has now been on formula full time for a few days and she is having real pain when doing poos. I know this is fairly common with formula fed babies but is it something that may pass when her body gets more used to formula full time, or is it that this particular formula will never be good for her so I should be switching formulas? I don't want to mess around with her diet any more than I already have, but at the same time if its not likely to stop causing her problems then I'd rather get her on something else sooner rather than later.

Never easy this mummy thing is it . . .

What are the poos like when they come out? hard? I dont think it is a common or a good thing even with formula fed bubs for them to have constipation. What brand are you using now? If it were me, i would probably try another brand.

I agree, try another brand, or use something like Infant's Friend and see if that helps.

I have the same problem with Lachlan, i have noticed that he is starting to really struggle when doing poo's and he will do a poo every 2nd day now.
I want to change formula but dont know what to use, i currently use S26.
He also has bad reflux aswell.

Any help would be great

We were using S26 and caused constipation... so now use Karicare and its worked wonders!

Naomi, alot of people use Karicare and have no problems.. maybe give that one a go?

I have been looking at changing him to Karicare, as you said alot of people have/are using it without problems.
Thing is there are a couple of Karicare ones on the market, which one do you suggest, the plain Karicare, Karicare gold, Karicare AR etc??
Yes Lulu this mummy thing is hard!! lol

One big thing to consider is to make sure it truly is constipation. Constipation is when the poo is like pebbles - very hard and very dry and leave no mark on the nappy or bottom. Even FF babies rarely get 'true' constipation. The longer the stool is in the bowel, the more fluid is absorbed into the bowel, making them difficult to pass and in extreme cases it leads to constipation. And also just having made the switch from BF to FF can make the bowel need to re-adjust itself kwim? BF poos are very soft in consistency and FF ones are a lot firmer - quite often due to the higher iron content in formulas.

I think switching formula's will only do more harm than good ATM as she is only just getting used to the one you have and she will need to get used to a new one, possibly having the same issues. Give her more time, and try some alternative methods to help her - tummy massage and infants friend etc before making the switch.

Well his poo's are not like that at all, they are still half soft atleast.
He only poo's every 2nd day, and his face goes quite red and he really pushes, his eyes get all teary looks like he is about to cry (but doesnt), i feel really bad about it when its "poo" time. His poo's are still mustardy colour, not like pebbles, not completely soft more hardish but still soft enough to prehaps not call it constipation iykwim

The other reason i was looking at changing was b/c he has really bad reflux, he often wakes him self up b/c of it, and it seems to take his breath away most times.

Is there something i can use instead of changing formula??
Now realising he's prob not constipated, but on the verge of it. Ive tried other things to help him along, its just that 2 week ago he didnt seem to have this problem and he was FF then, and had been for 2weeks.

I dont know this whole, guess whats wrong with your baby and make the best choice for your baby is hard.
I dont want to screw him around if he doesnt need to change formula's but also dont want to mess him around with other things, if changing formula's helps iykwim

being a mummy gets so confusing some times..........

I have some info about constipation in both BF and FF babies and I'm going to post it in a separate thread, just a general info type thing which may help you out.

Naomi, it could be that the reflux is causing some strife in his tummy and not the formula kwim? I also used Lactogen with all three of mine and never had an issue with constipation at all.

Thanks Sherie.
I use S26, do you suggest Lactogen formula?? Will this help with Reflux?
Please post the link to your thread when you post it, would love to read the info

Mix some brown sugar in with the formula. It works wonders for constipation

Naomi, here is the link to the info https://www.bellybelly.com.au/forums...ad.php?t=43330 I made it a sticky thread so it will always be at the top of the page and easy to find.

I have been really lucky never to have a bub with reflux issues so I can't help you on that, but have you got Lachlan on any meds for it? If not I would go and see his paed about it as formula alone won't help with it.

And I wouldn't go adding brown sugar to any water in babies so young - their gut just isn't designed to have it.

Thanks Sherie, am about to read it now.

No he isnt on meds for it, i didnt know he needed to be, now i feel bad.
Also about pead, i dont think he has one. Nothing got mentioned about it at hospital.
I have to go back for a 6wk check up due to having 3rd degree tearing and thats through the Dr who delivered Lachie.
Should I ring the hospital and ask about his pead??
I feel like a bad mum now not knowing about meds he can be on to help stop the reflux or about having a pead.

Naomi, please don't feel bad. Most times if you go private, you get assigned a paed for your baby apparently. If you hve your 6wk check up soon, discuss it with your Dr and he may be able to sort him out or refer you onto a paed. Most of the time the problem can be remedied with infant gaviscon, losec etc (meds for reflux) but it can take a little time.

I'm sorry if I worried you about not taking him to a Dr. He is only just a month old and it is so hard to know sometimes if it is reflux or just them kwim? You are doing a great job Naomi.

Its hard not to feel bad, no matter what happens, i guess its part of being a mum.

Dont be sorry, it wasnt your fault, I just didnt realise, babies should come with instruction books thats for sure.
You have helped me out so much, you dont understand.

We were public, so i guess it wasnt essential to them to assign a pead to us. But will be discussing it with Dr at my 6wk check up.
If anything i might take him to our local Dr in regards to reflux.

Thanks, besides the reflux and poo's, i feel like im doing an ok job, most times lol
Thankyou again Sherie xxoo

I suppose it would be helpful to record what he is like after feeds and even mention his bowel patterns too. That way if you have it written down you don't have to try to remember it once you're with your Dr as often you feel rushed and forget half of what you want to ask LOL. Also you might notice a pattern forming with him too.

I have always gone public and only got a paed for Lindsay for some suspected health issues.

Thanks.
I will do that, start a record of what he is like with feeds and poo's.
I know what you mean about being rushed and forgetting stuff, do that all the time with everything lol.
Like you also said, it'll help me recognise patterns too, which might end up being very helpful.

Is it good to have a pead, even if you dont have suspected health issues iykwim, or is our local Dr ok??

If our little one has had pebble like poo's, I give him 30mls of water mixed with one teaspoon of brown sugar and it works wonders. On our information brochures we got given from the hospital they say continue with the brown sugar until poo is back to normal, but I find only one dose is needed. I give it to him after his feed, so it also helps with bringing up his wind. It was recommended to us by midwifes and the parent help line

Naomi, seeing your GP should be fine, unless he feels the problem is out of his league kwim? I haven't taken the kids to a paed for years, just a normal GP for when they are sick.

Naomi, I see you live in sa. Which hospital were you at and where are you having your 6 weeks check? If it's at the hospital they would do a 6 week check of bubs and you will see generally one of the paediatric trainees. You can talk to them about your bubs reflux and they can determine if you need meds.

Thanks Srv, i went to womens and childrens and am having one of my 6week check ups there, i also have to have a 6wk check up with my local Dr.
I didnt know that, thanks for that.

naomi, i've worked at wch a lot and you'll definitely see someone who will check bubs and deal with any issues you have with him.