Is it safe to give a baby a little castor oil to relieve constipation?
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My tiny one has been terribly constipated for the last few days and I’ve tried everything. Massage, belly rubs, leg exercises, karo syrup, even a little coffee in his bottle (my mother in law’s idea) and the poor little guy still can’t go. I have castor oil but wasn’t sure if it was safe to give him. any thoughts or different remedies I can try?
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Castor oil is far too savage. Try Coloxyl drops for babies from the pharmacy.
i’d try a little pure orange first i’m not sure about castor oil. Not sure what the coffees all about never heard that one b4. also more water might help.
have you tried a little plain water inbetween feeds? Try giving it with a dropper/syringe if he won’t drink it out a bottle or sippy cup.
Otherwise, keep in mind that babies can go days, even up to 2 weeks without a bowel movement and that is still considered normal. Its not pleasant but its normal.
Try going to the chemist and asking their advice first, before giving him anything other than water, COLOXYL is a good medicine for constipation and is available at the chemist.
I would not give castor oil to a baby at all, just a tiny bit too much could make him have stomach cramps and diarrhea which would be terrible for the little guy
Keep up twice daily warm baths with massage afteward and ‘bicycle legs’ leg exercises
try some water, or maybe prune juice. Also there are baby enemas you can get in the pharmacy section. My daughter had the same issue and when it was really bad i would give her an enema and it would make her go withing minutes.
Personally, I prefer glycerin suppositories to other oral methods. I like to avoid using anything that passes through their digestive system and could cause upset.
I’ve also found that inserting a rectal thermometer can stimulate them to go.
Call the doctor and ask. I don’t know how old your little one is but encourage non dairy liquids. He may be holding because it hurts after so long.
My little one was constipated and she held it. I gave her warm baths and she relaxed and went.
If he has been holding it a long time, he may have a little blood ON his poo (not the black poo that means the blood is in his poo.) if it is really hard. That is normal. check with the dr office if it is scary red.
I took my little one to the doctor for advice.
A lot depends on babies age. For newborns caffeine is not a good idea. Under 3 months a teaspoon of brown sugar in a couple of ounces of boiled water will work. Orange juice is very acid and can cause tummy upsets in under 6 months. Prune juice is good, a couple of teaspoons but if these have no effect you should see your health care provider as there could be other problems that need alternative investigations and treatment.
Castor oil is indeed too harsh – try a glycerine suppository, it should make him do a smelly in 5-15 minutes.