does constipation = bad sleep?

[Tea Lady]

Hi there,

I'm having real trouble with my daughter (7 months) who regularly goes 12 -14 days without pooing and then screams the house down when she finally does go. We're up to day 12 now and she's sleeping REALLY badly - won't go down awake and wakes up crying if I put her down asleep. She woke every 2 hrs last night and has been waking alot over the last few nights - I'm exhausted. She doesn't seem sick or anything, but is tired and grizzly during the day. I was just wondering if anyone else thinks her sleeping could be related to the constipation, or should I look for something else?
BTW I'd also love any hints on getting her to "go" more often - I try to give her water often, but she hasn't really got the hang of the cup, and won't take a bottle. This also makes giving prune juice pretty much impossible. She's "officially" on solids but hardly eats any - I've more or less stopped offering them thinking that might be making things worse, but then I wonder if I should give her more to kind of push everything through. I'm very confused.
Oh yeah, she's been having coloxyl since sunday and has only eaten fruit and veg for over a month.

Lucy

[jamb]

Haven't experienced quite as much as screaming but constipation definitely effects my bubs sleep. If he hasn't been for a few days his sleep is very unsettled. He tosses and turns and grunts, especially in the early am. I'm lucky as he happily drinks water and prune juice to get things moving and sleep returns to normal after he goes.

I've found that when he eats home cooked veges/meats he goes reguarly but jar savouries clogs him up. I offer water or really really diluted juice in a bottle after a meal (bout 60-100mls).

Good luck

[melzy]

Wow that's seems a long time to go without. My little girl wouldn't go for about 5 days.

I reckon it would upset their sleep because they have got so much pressure on their little tummies and not going to the loo would definately reduce their food intake and definately don't give any bananas as food source as they clog them up. Bananas are good for diarrohea.

I recall massaging my daughters stomache, just under her belly button with one hand in c shape and working in. I was told this may loosen things up a bit. Provide a bit of relief as their bellies would be so tender. I used either vitamin cream or even baby boil. I'd then put her in a warm bath and give her another massage after.

I would put a half to one tspn of brown sugar in warm bottle, only 30mls, dissolve it, then give it to bubs. I did this about 4 times a day. You can give it to them either before or after their feed. I gave it to her before but it's entirely up to you. You give this to them until their poo is soft.

Coloxyl drops is also good for bubs which you can get from the chemist but I don't know if there is an age thing with that.

keep persisting with the water as well, maybe as a food source you could even try small bits of watermelon which is good for constipation. Prune juice, apricots, is also good.

Bubs is probably scared to drink or eat because of the pain it is feeling. Even though we don't think they understand us it's good to reassure them that drinking the fluids will make bubs tummy happy.

My daughter still suffered from constipation until we started toilet training, but there is light at the end of the tunnel. hang in there, you're doing everything right.

[Marcy]

Hi Girls,

Samuel had the same problem when he was little we were told to give him pears(pureed in the tin) they helped. but keep persisting with the water if not give ur local DR a visit and see wat he suggests.

Marcy mummy to Samuel
Wife to Scott
:)

[DustyPeach]

Afternoon Parents,

This is my first post on this sight. Joined today and find it a wonderful read. Whish I had found it earlier.

My daughter can go up to 16 days with no pooh. :eek: She has had long periods of non movement all of her life. W had her gastro tract x-rayed and our Dr advised all is well. We encourage her to eat wheat bix for breakfast and this helps. She refuses any kind of juice and drinks only milk and water. I keep her diet high in fiber and if she gets close to the 16 day mark she has two days of the recommended dosage of coloxal drops. I feel they are a little kinder on the system than sugar water but it is a parental decision as to what is best. Now she is 18 months and has more regular movements. It is comforting to know that it does seem to get better with time. I myself have to have daily Metamucil to enable regular movements. I guess it is in the family. DD also had problems sleeping. We would heat up a psyillium (sp) husk sack (safer than a water bottle and available in Kmart, Target for 10-15$) and place it near her to help the pain. Best of luck and see your Dr if you are really concerned