Posted on 05/12/2005 6:53:53 PM PDT by lafroste
Mrs. lafroste and I have a rather unusual problem with our two month old daughter and we'd like to solicit some suggestions on how to handle it. She was born on March 6, 2005. A few days after we brought her home, she displayed a most remarkable ability: she has full bowel and bladder control. She would hold it until we had her diaper off, and had her over a bucket. Then on a verbal signal, she would proceed to relieve herself. We told her perdiatrician about this at her 1 month check up. The pediatrician was skeptical, so we videotaped the phenomenon several times. Now the problem:
About three weeks ago she was a bit constipated. When she pooped that time it hurt. Now she refuses to poop and holds it in no matter what we do. We give her prune juice, but she is stronger. Now she poops only once every three days and really yells about it at that time. She'll buck and squirm, hold her body rigid, and generally turn going potty into a real ordeal.
Her growth is very good, she weighed 12 lb 6 oz at toady's checkup (7 lb 6 oz at birth) and has grown 3 1/2 inches. When we asked the pediatrician what to do about the problem, she didn't know. She said that western medicine does not recognize that an 8 week old baby can be toilet trained and thus has no experience with another case like our daughter's. The girl seems completely healthy, but is stubborn as a mule and still too young to reason with.
We've tried prune juice and massages, moving her legs like she is on a bicycle, nothing seems to help. The doctor said no to laxatives because of her age. She is causing herself pain by holding it so long and we are worried that she will end up "popping a gasket" or something. Any suggestions?
Who is giving this poster advice on the baby?
>>We tried that with little tiny slivers of Dove soap. <<
Prune Juice for a 2 month old?? What else are they feeding?
If I am reading the entire thread right, this baby is having bowel problems at 2 months.
I would be in quick, fast and in a hurry to a medical doctor.
If a baby is constipated to the point of pain at two months, something is very wrong. This child could have a real bowel problem.
No home remedy should be used until every medical problem is ruled out. It could seriously exaserbate the problem!
Consult another pediatrician!
The question is, does that pediatrician has a real medical degree?
Why weren't some tests ordered to see that there is no bowel obstruction? Something?
I wonder.
What do they call it when the bowel turns into itself? It's a common problems with babies. Do you have any idea??
I read this and all I could think of was lazy bowel syndrome.... which is what happens in adults.
Maybe this...
Intussusception
This is an important surgical condition, which is frequently mentioned but not frequently seen. A piece of bowel 'telescopes' into itself. Peristalsis has taken one piece of bowel into the next as if it is digesting itself. Most commonly this is distal ileum into caecum. Intussusception is most commonly seen in the 6-9-month-old. It is thought that the 'telescope' might start at an enlarged Peyer's patch. (Intussusception can occur at any age).
Presentation
* A young child may present with any combination of the following:
* Colicky abdominal pain (often seen as crying and drawing up the legs).
* Vomiting (might be bile stained).
* A sausage shaped abdominal mass.
* Classically, red-current jelly stools (i.e. PR blood).
Examination
* Sausage shaped mass in the right upper quadrant.
* Child might be shocked.
* Rectal examination is necessary.
Investigations
* Abdominal x-ray.
* Air enema.
Management
* First make the diagnosis! (And resuscitate).
* Early cases can be reduced by the radiologist at enema.
* After 24 hrs or if there are serious signs, surgery is necessary and any necrotic bowel is removed.
That was a quick Google search! This baby needs to be examined immediately!
>> but is stubborn as a mule and still too young to reason with.<<
You daughter is not stubborn. She needs real medical attention. If your pediatrician is not helping with this find another quick.
As an aside, under socialized medicine a bunch of chicken little's would have been piling off to the ER when it was completely unnecessary. We are sufficiently perceptive to tell the difference between a minor problem and a stubborn baby and a real medical problem.
>>The hard piece of stool created by formula (she gets ~80% brest milk, 20% formula) passed yesterday morning. She's fine.
If your doctor did not order anymore tests on a baby with an impacted bowel, tell you to change formula and give you a solution to the constipation, she is a quack.
If you think that you baby is stubborn and therefore will not pass a stool, I am praying for you.
Please understand that I have a degree in Naturopathic medicine and worked many years for a medical doctor. Yes, the things that you have done to your two month old baby are harmful. One does not insert soap into a baby's rectum nor does one feed a two month old prune juice. The bowels are mature enough for breast milk and formula, period.
You can get indignant to your hearts content and yell that you have done the right thing by not running to a doctor with her problems, but if your child had ended up with Necrotic Bowel, you wouldn't have been so quick to pat your self on the back. The doctor should have been looking for it.
>>About three weeks ago she was a bit constipated. When she pooped that time it hurt. Now she refuses to poop and holds it in no matter what we do. We give her prune juice, but she is stronger. Now she poops only once every three days and really yells about it at that time. She'll buck and squirm, hold her body rigid, and generally turn going potty into a real ordeal.
Is this an ongoing problem or not?
You asked for suggestions, I gave you mine.
We're talking about an infant, correct? 2.5 months old, not 2.5 years old? Stubborn???
Again--prune juice at that age is most certainly harmful. Without a doubt it contributed to your daughter's condition. If she is being primarily breastfed, IT IS COMPLETELY NORMAL FOR HER TO GO UP TO A WEEK WITHOUT A BOWEL MOVEMENT. Everything in breastmilk is absorbed. There is nothing left over with which to create a bowel movement. That is NOT constipation! Introducing juice, especially a non-clear juice, at that age will not only mess with your baby's digestion, it could lead to food allergies down the road.
What is the rush? Good grief. Just love her and let her be a baby.
No wonder the baby was in pain.
They inserted Dove soap into her rectum.
Oh God please.....(that is a prayer, BTW)
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