Straining on the toilet

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Name: Melissa
Subject: Daughter straining on the toilet.

Since birth, my little girl who’s now 8 1/2 months, has been straining very hard whilst doing her number two’s. Every time I have mentioned this at a doctors visit or to the baby health nurse I am told it’s normal and not to worry, as, if she was constipated her tummy would be hard and poos would be dry and crumbly.
I was still worried so I kept mentioning but no one would listen.
About a week ago she developed a red swelling on her bottom so I took her to the doctor and he said it was a skin tag that fills with blood which was caused by straining and will probably not go away. She has been prescribed Actilax.
I don’t want to keep her permently on medication, I don’t even no if this will make a difference. I once gave fed her prunes 3 times a day which made them much looser but did not make her strain any less.
I am not sure what to do.
She is still breastfed at least 5x a day has rice cereal with fruit (pears,apples,prunes or banana) for breakfast and mashed pumpkin, sweetpotato, carrot and beans for lunch and dinner, also she sometimes has water with meals.

I hope you can help,
Melissa.

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Hi Melissa,

I appreciate that you are worried about your daughter.

You have already tried the things I would recommend, water, prunes, fruits and vegetables.

As you are breastfeeding your daughter, it is wise to maintain your own hydration and water intake so you can help your baby have moist bowel motions.

Also consider that active play helps with moving along bowel motions.

I would investigate this issue with a paediatrician further. Trust your instincts as a mother and find a doctor that listens to you. Breastfed babies are not supposed to get constipated. Straining when passing bowel motions could be related to an issue with her sphincter muscles, which help with passing the stools. Keep knocking on doors until you find a Doctor to listen to you.

Hope this helps.

Best wishes,

Natalie Ebrill
RN CFHN Mother of three
Baby Sleep Consultant 0-5 years
"I want to give you your life back!"
Sleep and Settle
Office: (61) 02 4963 4460
mobile: 0437 633 953
www.sleepandsettle.com.au

1 Comment

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amarige makes this comment

Tuesday, 27 April 2010

Hi Melissa,
My girl is now 6 and strained on the toilet since she was 8months too... they do grow out of it but if I knew what I know now, it could have been over earlier.
I believe bananas is not good to give when constipated and once I figured that out I was halfway.
We are fortunate to live and work on a organic flaxseed farm which produce breakfast oil that I mix with yogurt or over cereal. It is the answer for me!
Now with my 10month old baby brestfed and on diet exclusively on fruits and veg, when I see she is hard, I give her mixed apples and prunes (puree, steamed) and no bananas she is good to go the next time.
Alot of water once they start solids too!!!!!!!!! with every meal. I fill up her cup and she will finish it all by the end of the day.
Hope some tips help you.

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