giving baby apple juice

**Daphne** · 08-20-2005, 08:02 AM

Jacob is 4 weeks old and for several weeks now when he has a bowel movement it seems like he is straining to go. When he does go it is normal (what it should look like) but he will take hours to go. He kicks his legs and turns red at times. My question is this....is it okay to give him the baby apple juice with some water to help him more?

He does have about 3-4 BM a day but not after every feeding as before. Since 4 this morning he has had 2.

Do you have any other suggestions? Thanks!

**Nikmom** · 08-20-2005, 08:47 AM

I would call the pediatrician. 4 weeks is really young, and I would hesitate to give anything except formula or breast milk, whatever you are doing, unless he gives the go ahead.

**Mamaw** · 08-20-2005, 09:40 AM

I would not give him any juices unless directed by the physician. I think calling his doctor would be the best course of action. They can give him a stool softener is they think it is necessary. They may also change his formula. Sometimes the iron in formula will cause this. Good luck! Enjoy your little one!

**AmyMCGS** · 08-20-2005, 11:01 AM

Yeah, I'd call the doctor, too. DD had bowel problems when she was little, and my doc had us give her white grape juice, which worked like a charm. She was young, but I think she might have been two or three months old. Four weeks seems awfully young to me.

We also massaged her lower belly, and gave her warm baths to help move things along.

I'm also thinking that having a BM after every feeding is something they grow out of... but, as I said, DD had a bowel problem (blockage) so hers were never normal to begin with.

And a frugal tip if/when you do give him juice (now or in the future)-- my pediatrician told me not to waste money buying baby juice, but to buy regular and water it down. I'd buy store brand juice and put two parts water to one part juice in a bottle when DD was little. We made it stronger as she got older. The only time we bought baby juice was when we were going to be gone and couldn't refridgerate it-- then we'd get the single-serving baby juices.

**Kimberlina** · 08-20-2005, 03:59 PM

Just another voice chiming in. I personally wouldn't try apple juice so young- his digestive system isn't completely developed and the acidic juice can be harsh. I would definitely give the ped. a call for his/her opinion.

Here is a good website to check out:

http://www.kellymom.com/babyconcerns...-concerns.html

This was my "baby bible" when DD was llittle. The Jay Gordon site (first link) is a good one.

**Daphne** · 08-20-2005, 05:27 PM

Thank you ladies! I went with my gut feeling and decided not to give him any juice. I just hate to see him in discomfort but after researching more his actions seem to be normal.

Thanks for the link to the website Kim....I've saved it to my favorites. You ladies are great with advice!!!

**mommy2many** · 08-20-2005, 05:48 PM

One of my DD's had these kinds of troubles at about the same age. The Doctor switched her to a "low" iron formula and everything worked itself out so to speak

I would call the doctor for sure on this one don't give juice yet just still too young.

**Missy** · 08-20-2005, 09:58 PM

Call your doc.

Each baby is different. Some babies will go a few times every day, some once a day, and still yet, some only once every few days. All are with in the realm of "normal". Also what may be normal this month might no be so next month, heck, from week to week things change. I wouldn't give him any juice just yet. Call the pediatrician, he might want to check him out.

Each and every one of my children had this happen too. LOL. DS1 finally ... "let loose" after 7 days...in a crowded resturaunt. DD while strolling in the mall, and DS2 while at church. Don't worry. When it is the most inopportune time all will suddenly work out, lol.

And they are all three healthy, happy, yet every single baby was completely different.

**bamamomto4** · 08-20-2005, 10:55 PM

I hate to be the only one but Jayme and Jackson's pediatrician ok'ed prune or apple juice...watered down and only about an oz...not long after drinking some,they would go and soon as they started,I wouldn't give them anymore. After awhile though,they had to be switched to soy.

With Ashley,the pediatrician (diff from above) said a couple ozs of water.

I'm not saying give him juice,just saying what happened with mine