Well, I believe we've discovered what's going on with Zac's constipation issue. He has been put on Iron supplements for two months, and this started right at the same time he started his iron. Unfortunately ped. won't let me discontinue or lessen his dosage until his hemoglobin levels are where they are supposed to be. I guess she must be concerned about that, didn't think it was "that" big of a deal. Soo for now we're just giving the extra fluid/water and mixing prunes w/his oatmeal and barley, and prune snacking here and there. He seems to be doing okay though.

Good job figuring that out!

Now if I can just figure out what D's having problems in the poop department even though he gets Nutram Junior with FIBER!!! Might be another example of being an opposite kid.

Oh yeah, iron will def do it. I am going crazy taking these prenatal vitamins because they do the same thing to me :oops:

I know some Moms that have bypassed the formulas with iron until they needed it (I think it is 6 months?). We always used the iron formulas and did not seem to have much trouble, just the occasional constipation.

You know, I really hate prunes and the thought of giving it to a kid makes me **shudder**, but give it I have. Sorry Sara, I did not know Zac just went on iron formula as I always assume people are feeding it automatically. Must be a surprise to him, too! I hope the prunes **shudder** do the trick. I still have some apple/prune **shudder** juice in the fridge for just in case.

How are you feeling, Amy? I know you must be so drained with all of the things going on with Alexys in addition to having the "internal under construction site".

Leigh

Leigh

I think drained is an accurate description...I went back to work today which didnt really help but is necessary. I am def glad the baby isnt here for awhile yet, I'm not sure how I could handle another one on top of all this right now.

Ooooh iron supplements.. I cuold write a novel about them! Glad you found out the cause of the constipation Sara. The boys were on vitamins and iron as they were prem. The iron was horrid- stained everything in sight. We used to syringe it in their mouths whilst they were in the bath. Never even though about that as a cause of Matthews bad constipation in the earlier days. Iron gives me the runs (TMI sorry) and also bad migraines. The pills they gave me when I was pregnant did me more harm than good and so they were stopped.
Is Zac on any formula? If so, most have enough iron in them to cover it. ALso, Farex has about 50% of RDI of iron.

Alexys,

I am *still* taking prenatal vitamins because I'm BFing...I never even put two and two together about "my" constipation issues!! That's another storry. :oops:

Leigh and Sarahh,

Zac is stricly breastfed, now eatins cereals and veggies as well. Ped said he need extra iron because his hemoglobin levels were low. So he's been taking enfamil poly vi sol with iron. Its stinky, I mix it with his cereal and he doesn't seem to notice. The first time I did drop it in his mouth and got a wiff of the stench and felt bad for doing that!

Anyhow I never really thought about the iron causing this until recently. His poops stink like iron as well. He is pooping a bit more now, seems thick and mushy as opposed to hard "loafs" which is good...but he still has trouble passing them.