Newborn struggling to poo

[Betty4893]

Hi all, my newborn is 8 days old and today has been struggling to poo. She woke up at 6am and was screaming and crying, and kicking her legs around. She finally had a poo at 6pm but has started acting the same again tonight like she is really struggling when trying to poo. I’ve tried bicycle legs but that doesn’t seem to be working.

Does anyone have any tips? It’s awful to see her struggling so much.

Xx

[destiny121]

I think this is fairly common as they’re learning to use their digestive system... quite scary I know as you can see they’re struggling... mine was the same but as long as they are pooing all should be ok 😊

[ChrisWest1983 in reply to destiny121]

Same did mine. He was kind of staining but nothing came out, but poo was always good consistency (8poos a day) I think they probably realise that they can use those muscles, but don't know how...

[Major2116]

My son still has constipation sometimes and he's now 1. He's been prescribed pediatric movicol. Apparently constipation in young ones is quite common.

Try massaging her belly after the bath.

It's hard with her being so young. I'd take her the chemist to see if they can advise anything Hun. If not then the GP X

[mrsdala]

We've had similar issues (he's 5 weeks now), but now think its gas rather than poo. (He farts a LOT 🤣)

Gently rubbing belly helps, sometimes we just gently but firmly put a hand on/over his abdomen, seemed to calm him a bit.

But as said previously, as long as his poo is normal, I wouldn't worry. Mines gone from pooing from what seemed like every 5 mins to once a day x

[Annh17]

My LG was the same and still is (7 weeks old) HV said couple ounces of cooked boiled water, tummy massage and bicycle legs- none of these worked. GP gave us lactulose, which works a treat. She now goes every other day, which is much better than 5 days. It’s horrible too see them in so much pain and knowing there nothing you can do x