My 3 week old baby only poohs once a day, she seems2b in pain, think its constipation. any ideas how to help?

Question

I bottle feed her

Answer 1

Please consult a pediatrician about this. Juice has been known to help (diluted at this age) but you have to consult with a doctor or nurse first.

Answer 2

Constipation in a newborn can be a sign that your baby isn't getting enough to eat. If your new baby is not having frequent bowel movements, be sure to discuss with your Pediatrician your baby's feeding schedule, amount of wet diapers and if he seems to be gaining weight.

Constipation is defined as the passage of hard, pellet-like stools that cause pain or bleeding (groaning or straining is normal) and not so much by how often your baby has a bowel movement. Keep in mind that some breast fed babies only have one bowel movement each week or two after they are 3-4 weeks old. Breastfed babies are very rarely constipated if you are exclusively breastfeeding.

Initial treatment for constipation is by giving 2-4 ounces of water or diluted prune juice once or twice a day or by changing to a soy based formula if you are using formula.

Anyway, see a doctor immediately!

Answer 3

Is your baby formula fed or breast fed? Breastfed babies do not usually get constipated if they are only nursing. Formula fed babies can have intolerance to certain types of formulas. Your baby is so little that you should be in contact with her pediatrician about this concern. Absolutely do not give her any kind of medication - she is much too little. You could try a little room temperature water in a bottle. You can also lay her on her back, grasp her legs and pump them gently as if she is riding a bicycle. This helps with gas and helps the bowels move. Going poop once a day may just be her normal way. My youngest daughter was breastfed for 14 months and it was pretty common for her to only go once every 2-3 days. She is now 9 and only goes every other day.

Answer 4

Bless her, Formula is often the cause of constipation so maybe try switching brands and ask at your chemist if there is anything else you can give her. Try to introduce baby juice to her diet or cool boiled water if you prefer. I wouldnt recommend giving such a young baby food as they have no gag reflex and can aspirate food into there lungs. Young babies cant hold the 'knees up position' so hold her away from you with her legs bent upwards, then gently bounce her up and down for the pain. A nice warm bath will sooth her and maybe help too if shes in a lot of discomfort. If the problem persists then see your doc, good luck xx

Answer 5

Dont put the brown sugar in a bottle, i had the same problem a couple of months ago and done that and afterwards got told by health visitor it'll out them off savory foods when weaning. Diluted prune juice is the best stuff i used it all the time when adam was younger. its 1 part prune juice for every 12 parts water and if your baby wont take it in the bottle put a little on a tea spoon and feed it the her.

Answer 6

some tips
~massage her belly and also bend her knees up into the belly while she is laying down..put your hands on her feet and let her push them up against you...this always seem to help for a little bit.
~Doctors will agree that formula is formula and that it is all pretty much the same, but my first baby was very constipated and I ended up taking her off the similac with iron that she was on. Too much iron will make any one baby or adult be constipated.
My second baby was on Similac advance and she was horrilby constipated so I took her off and she turned into a different baby......point being maybe you switch down to a less intense formula.
~Also if you are not a mom who doesnt go completely by the books, then you can try fennel seed tea. Not too strong just a few seeds..... I have seen it work quite well and grandmas swear by it!

Answer 7

DO NOT GIVE THAT CHILD SUGAR!!!!!!
new-borns can have a lazy bowel and anything that loosens motions can make this problem worse. powdered baby milk tends to make babies constipated.try a 4oz feed made up with 3oz of powder once a day to increase water intake. do the 'cycling" motion that others have suggested. a great tip that worked for my son and other kid's i've tried it on is belly-button massage. dip 2 fingers in olive oil and starting at the top of the belly button go round CLOCKWISE (very important that it is clockwise) keeping as close to the belly button as you can. apply reasonable pressure - baby will let you know if its to much but don't be shy!! you should get a movement in about 20 mins!! go to your baby clinic asap and discuss with a professional.

Answer 8

Is she breastfed or formula fed?

It is pretty uncommon for an exclusively breastfed infant to get constipated beause breastmilk is a natural laxative.

Are her stools hard, dry and formed? If so then that is constipation.

If she is just straining to go then that is because her muscles are immature and not developed yet.

If she seems uncomfortable, massage her belly in a clockwise circle. Putting her in a warm bath can help too.

Bicycle her legs.

DO NOT give her juice or anything other than breastmilk or formula.

Answer 9

Is your baby formula fed? if she is once a day is normal. as for constipation: it's not likely until your baby starts solids. Most of formula and breast milk is just water and as long as she is taking plenty of liquid in it is hard to get constipated. And they do sometimes act a bit uncomfortable when they go but that is normal. If it comes out in small hard pieces I would suggest seeing your doctor.

It is not recommended to give a baby so young anything other than breast milk or formula, not until 4 months.

Good luck.

Answer 10

At this age, there isn't much you can do. If you would like to (though a pediatrician may say NO) you can give your baby some apple juice. Just an ounce or so, mixed with an equal amount of water.
Is your baby breastfed or formula? If formula, it could be the brand that you are using. If the juice doesn't help, switch brands.

Answer 11

my son gets constipated from time to time and all i do is put an extra half oz of water in his bottle (but the same amount of formula as usual) I do this in a couple of his bottles then he goes the same day. It's not pleasant though when it does come out!!