Constipation relief and breastfeeding

[lillymonster]

I had a c-section on the 4th, and I still have not used the bathroom. I take 2 100 mg colace daily, and I am taking cal/magnesium supplement and probiotics which helped when I was pregnant, but doesn't seem to be doing anything now. I have a back up of gas, so I would like to go soon. Is there anything I can take while nursing an 8 day old baby. BTW, she seems to be sensitive to diary already, so I have cut that out, and I need my options to be diary free.

[ChelseaWantsOut]

Have you tried good, old-fashioned prune juice?  A quart or two and plenty of water has never failed to get something going within two days for me.

I used an enema for my first PP poo, because it had been so long and I was really worried it would be rock hard.  Good luck!

[PatioGardener]

Bran also works well!  And psyllium (spelling?) - like what you get in Metamucil - is great too.  And LOTS of water!

Good luck - those first postpartum poops are nasty.

[JudiAU]

Yikes. I always take  psyllium  in capsules. I would add that to your diet at several points in the day. Gentle and effective.

[lsmama]

Here's what works for me:  3 colace taken in divided doses.  At night before bed, I eat 1/2 frozen raspberries & 2 TBS ground flax seed.  You could add soy milk & make a smoothie.  I eat 1 cup of all bran cereal in the am with 1 glass of prune juice.  My dr. recommends colace 3x/day until you go, then drop to 2, then 1 as long as you need it.  My prenatals had the equivalent of 1, so I took this daily throughout pg.  So sorry.  This sucks!

[kismetbaby]

Dairy is binding anyway and can make the problem worse. Ground flax seeds are what helped me that most (pysillium didn't work for me). I still make sure to get a TBS or two a day either on my cereal or in a smoothie. Berries and bran cereals are also helpful.  At one point I also resorted to stool softeners (not laxatives mind you, but stool softeners), b/c I had hemorrhoid issues and could not find relief otherwise.

Good luck, that's the worst.

[averlee]

Is there anything that usually gives you the runs? There's a burrito shop in my neighborhood that will have you crapping halfway through your taco!

I second the suggestion for prune juice. For mild constipation, a cup before bed usually will have you pooping by morning. I think you could also try drinking a cup every hour until you finally go.

Also, getting enough fluids is essential- plenty of water, juice, herbal tea, non-carbonated soda, etc. If you don't have enough fluids your body extracts more moisture from your intestines, leading to constipation.

[lillymonster]

Originally Posted by averlee 

Is there anything that usually gives you the runs? There's a burrito shop in my neighborhood that will have you crapping halfway through your taco!

I second the suggestion for prune juice. For mild constipation, a cup before bed usually will have you pooping by morning. I think you could also try drinking a cup every hour until you finally go.

Also, getting enough fluids is essential- plenty of water, juice, herbal tea, non-carbonated soda, etc. If you don't have enough fluids your body extracts more moisture from your intestines, leading to constipation.

i tried burger king a few days ago which usually works but did not. I just drank a cup of prune juice - yuck, but hopefully that will work.

[henny penny]

Ugh. I was in your shoes. One dose of Phillips Milk of Magnesia did the trick.

[lillymonster]

Spent longer this morning trying to poo then I was in labor. So I guess I will try milk of magnesia

[lillymonster]

I POOPED - yes it took longer than labor! I still have gas, but man, I am so relived. I hope that was the worst of it.