Baby is Constipated

[Ndoo]

Hello mummies.

My baby girl is just 3weeks. I breast feed and also give formular. But she has not passed stool for 5days + now. I feel very worried about it. Any suggestions to help her pass it out.

[Ema1234]

Hi!

It can be very normal for babies to go this period of time without pooing. Is she feeding okay? and doesn't seem in discomfort? If so, I would advise trying baby massage or slowly moving her legs in a cycling motion.

But. If she seems uncomfortable or is feeding less than normal I think this warrants a GP visit or health visitor visit.

[TheMrsSmith]

To put your mind at ease slightly, my friend had this worry with breastfeeding her first. Be aware that breastfed babies typically use all the nutritional goodness in their bodies especially in the first few weeks and are more likely to take ‘what they need’ over a baby that is bottle fed and so it is normal for them to not poo for a week sometimes more. However, I am not a health professional so as per the previous reply if your baby seems distressed in anyway then seek professional help.

[roxannacar]

My son who is 12 weeks poos once a week. Breastfed babies have a tendency to.do this. He is not constipation as he's stool is basically liquid and not hard at all. And he's not uncomfortable with it. He strains a bit to poo, like everyone but he's not miserable or crying with it. However he does wee loads which is reassuring that he is well hydrated.

[Hills2005]

My baby is 3 weeks and breast feed only. For the the first week he passed stool after every feed so there was lots of nappy changing. But for the passed week he poo only once and its loads. For your case I’ll suggest speak to your health visitor or gp on why your baby is not opening bowel for a week? Is she straining and seems to be in pain like trying to open her bowel? I wanted to do mix feeding but my midwife suggested it’s better if I only BF as she thought formula could cause constipation.

[GM99]

We had the same with our baby girl and the health visitor suggested some cooled, boiled water and it definitely helped x

[Chloe0789]

The formula can cause constipation

Breastfeed only babies should be going daily at this age, if not it can be a sign that they are not getting enough milk

Cooled boiled water should be given in very very small amounts, like a tea spoon amount

Call your HV or the HV hub and speak to them