baby has a cold and constipation

[samanthajayne]

we have all had a cold this last week and i think my baby has picked up on it a little but we didn't think he would get a cold so young so we didn't try and increase his fluid intake to cope with it and now he is constipated again i'm guessing its because he is poorly so his body is taking all the fluids it needs and leaving him constipated am i right in thinking that?

we had a problem with constipation a few weeks ago and a change of milk stopped that but this time i think its just because he isn't well. we are trying to increase his fluids and i am putting an extra fl oz of water in his milk but nothing seems to be helping yet.

what can i do?

 

[flowergirl]

Have you tried massage?

Gently lift his legs so that his knees are up to his tummy and with olive oil on your hands, gently rub his tummy in a clockwise direction. Do this for a few minutes every nappy change.

There are other ways to massage tummy but they're hard to describe- your HV should be able to show you though- if not you could PM me and I'll try my best to describe them to you!

 

[Jollypops]

I would try to give the water seprately as adding it to formula can mean that they dont get enough of the correct nutriants and weight gain can be affected. (Had this with Calum couple of weeks ago)

With reagrds to the cold, is it chesty or just nose? If just nose then get some Sterile Nasal Drops.

Formaulas/Water etc can change babies bowel habits, but if baby is not stressed by it and weeing then dont worry to much as they will go when ready. As flowergirl says you can try massage back and sides, knees and also a warm cotton wool ball rubbed on the bum can do the trick.

Good Luck