Premature, Nutriprem 2 & Constipation

[andrewjdunbar]

Hi folks, just looking for some advice, but first some background.

My son James was born 13 weeks early, and after more than a few days (102) and a bilateral hernia op, myself and karen were able to get him home.

Currently he is on nutriprem 2 powder milk with baby gaviscon, along with ranitidine and sytron and we have noticed that he has a real struggle clearing his bowels. Lots of straining, effort and usually one poo every 2 days or so, which is usually quite hard. We are not talking rabbit droppings, but he is having trouble and can't settle.

We have done the usual google searches, and it looks like NP2 is a likely culprit for his constipation. James is on 110ml feeds every 4 hours or so, and his weight is 8 pounds 6 with an age of 2 weeks corrected, 15 weeks actual.

We are due a visit from the community midwife on friday, and are wondering if any of the forum users have been in a similar situation, and what they did to improve things, ie lactulose, boiled water between feeds etc.

Thanks

[MiniPopsMum2012]

Hello, the nutriprem as well as gaviscon & sytron will all cause constipation I think, plus being a premmie I think they're more likely to have a bit of a struggle with their bowels.

My little boy was 10 weeks early & has struggled from day one pooing. He used to go every 4 days and when he did it took ages & he screamed & was in a lot of discomfort.

Ask gp for lactulose & see if ok to give cooled boiled water, I give 1 ounce a day if I can (sometimes he won't take it)

It does get better & he's on normal formula now which makes a difference.

Good luck & congrats xx

[mymatemax]

Yes go to GP or Paed and ask for something to help with constipation.
My ds2 is 10 and still on gaviscon & lactulose, we've had years of constipation & it can be awful

[mymatemax]

Oh and Congratulations!

[Handsfulloffun]

Agree with the other posters and congratulations.

[knittyjoe]

Skye was on NP2 and it made her so constipated.. when she was on the ready made formula in neo natal she was fine, but when she came home and we used the powdered NP2 it was awful.
We tried all the things neo natal said to do.. massaging her lil tummy, warm baths, 1oz cooled boiled water and cyclingher lil legs but nothing worked.. we took her of NP2 as she was only 5 weeks 2 days early and put her on Aptamil and the constipation went! Obv it's not for everyone changing from NP2 because of how prem/ what their weight was at birth but it was heartbreaking to see her in so much pain and discomfort.. So she's been on Aptamil and gaviscon for past 9 weeks now and she's doing great.

Congratulations x x

[GoldenDaffodil]

My DD was born 8 weeks early and has been in nutriprem 2 since she was discharged from SCBU. She also suffered from constipation and after several visits to our GP - where I kicked up quite a fuss! - she agreed to prescribe cartons of the ready made stuff. DD's bowel movements have been absolutely fine ever since. GP's don't like to prescribe it because of the expense but it is available on the NHS so try asking for it.

[MiniPopsMum2012]

I second what Daffodil says, get your GP to prescribe the ready made cartons of NP2, that's what we were on. Tell them your little one can't tolerate the powdered stuff.

[mts81]

Hi guys my little girl was born 10wks premature at 2lbs 9oz got her home last week yay! Discharge on premade cartons of neutriprem2 but is having real trouble poopin have done all the belly massage and after a visit to doc was prescribed suppositories, workd super now 3days on n no poop again any advice she is taking less in her feeds presumably cos shes so bungd up any advice greatly appreciated x