Baby constipation - a mum and baby approach
Meet Baby Max
Max just 9 weeks old with issues of constipation. When Max first came in, he hadn’t had a dirty nappy in 7 days. His mum, Claire, noted this started right after his first round of vaccinations. Although he was having wet nappies, his bowels were silent. Exclusively breastfed, Max had been born via forceps, and Claire had been on antibiotics twice due to an infected episiotomy. Soon after, both developed thrush and were treated with nystatin—but the symptoms kept returning.
Claire had also started Max on a baby probiotic, but without much success. She herself was still dealing with nipple thrush and ongoing constipation.
Personalised approach
Max’s plan included:
- A high-quality probiotic targeted at candida
- Daily abdominal massage with castor oil
- Gentle stretching and craniosacral therapy to release tension from the forceps birth
Claire received:
- Tailored dietary guidance focusing on healthy fats and soluble fibre (like flaxseed)
- A probiotic and magnesium supplement to support her digestion and microbiome
Progress and Real Results
Within a few days in the plan, Max passed his first bowel movement. By week two, they became more regular. Thrush cleared in both of them. Claire noticed her own bowels improving too, though not fully regular yet.
At the four-week check-in, Max had regressed. He was prescribed lactulose but it had little effect. A white coating reappeared in his mouth. Claire admitted she hadn’t been fully consistent with the plan. We tightened things up and added herbal digestive support for both.
Just two weeks later, Max was back on track—regular dirty nappies, clear mouth, and thriving. Claire’s energy returned, her bowels improved, and the thrush on her nipples resolved. Best of all, she said: “As I made changes, my head was getting clear. I was foggy and scattered before. Now, everything’s lighter.”
Key takeaways
- Antibiotics during birth or postpartum can disrupt the body’s bacterial balance, making it easier for yeast like candida to overgrow both in mum and baby
- Other factors can interfere with the correct maturation of the baby's gut and microbiome
- Candida overgrow can lead to digestive issues such as constipation
- A 'mum and baby' approach worked best and brought lasting results
