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Hi Dr. Mike!
I was reading a question and
answer session from another parent and hope you can help me, as well. My
daughter is 5 1/2 months old, born 3/14/02. She is exclusively breast
fed and has never had a problem having a BM until about five weeks ago.
Her stool was watery and seedy, then changed into a thicker consistency,
which she was able to pass for a week or so. She then began to struggle,
cry, her tummy would get hard and she had no results. Finally, after
five days, I tried a suppository and viola! It was in about 5 seconds,
shot out with huge results.
A few days passed, no results.
I called her Dr. and she suggested juice, which I did syringe feed her.
(Prune). That made her stool thinner but once again, no BM. It seems to
me her rectum isn't working. The stool is right there but it just cannot
pass. This may sound silly, but my mother and mother in law both said
that we (my husband and I) had to have our rectums stretched when we
were babies. Does that sound normal or is this mid-evil torture? Do you
have any suggestions on which type of MD to call? I feel so bad for my
little sweetie, I can't stand to see her on pain and hope to get some
help soon. Does my description sound anything like Outlet Obstruction
Type Constipation? How is this treated? Thanks much, Mrs. B
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Hi Mrs. B, First, I'll start
with the "torture" question. Did you and your husband get your rectums
"stretched", or did you both need a rectal exam, where the doc puts his
finger in your rectum, and checks to make sure everything is okay?
I think that your baby is most
likely going through a natural "growing up" of his bowels. Bowel
movements change now, especially if you are giving some solids to him
(e.g. rice cereal). I would be inclined to treat him with prune juice or
Karo syrup and see how it goes for the next few weeks.
I, also, think that it's too
early to see a specialist (pediatric gastroenterologist), or to make any
specific diagnosis other than constipation. Try and be patient, and use
the home remedies (prune juice and karo syrup) for a few more weeks. If
still no improvement is noted, then address or re-address it with your
doc. I hope that helps. Dr. Mike
This
article was reviewed
04/23/2010 07:24 AM
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