My sister had a little girl on August 24, about 4 days old now. At a little less than 2 days old, they discovered that her bilirubin levels were high. They started her on therapy with the bili-lights. Her levels are going down. Yesterday, the nurses said that they had been having to "stimulate her bowel movements". I'm assuming rectally because they said that they didn't want to do it too often, cuz it would make her bottom sore. They had to do that twice yesterday because she hasn't been going on her own. We're a little worried. Has anybody had this problem with their newborn??? Hopefully someone could tell us what could be causing this. The baby is still in the hospital, so hopefully they will get to the bottom of the problem, but in the meantime...I was just trying to find out some possible issues that it could be.
2006-08-28 06:47:57 · 8 answers · asked by Leslie N 1 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
My sister has been breastfeeding. She says the baby has been feeding very well and she has been urinating normally. Just no bowel movements.
2006-08-28 13:50:49 · update #1
My son was a preemie and he used to get constipated a lot until he was about 5-6 months old. About twice a week until he was 4 months I had to use suppositories until he was old enough to have diluted prune juice...his doctor said to wait until 4 months. And breastfed babies DO BECOME CONSTIPATED!!! That is such bull! My son was on breastmilk the entire 10 weeks he was in the hospital and he still got constipated!!!
2006-08-28 06:57:50 · answer #1 · answered by Ryan's mom 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The lady up top is right. My son was prem and had very few bowel movements while he was in hospital ( I was unable to breast feed at the time)- he seemed ok and the hospital staff didn't seem concerned as he was feeding and urinating fine. When he got home he suffered for weeks with constipation, it was terrible to see him so upset with belly ache when he was so tiny! I tried everything to get him to go- alot of people told me to dilute a small amount of apple juice, which worked to shift one blockage only for another to build up- eventually we found a milk that suited him and after that he was fine.
While your sisters baby is in hospital I would not worry too much but if she is bottle feeding she might want to change the milk she is giving to see if it helps? Good luck x
2006-08-28 07:05:48 · answer #2 · answered by Banny Grasher 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Is the baby breast fed or bottle fed?
Breastfed babies are not considered constipated. Some kids just don't go every day. If she's bottle fed, there could be too much iron in the formula. I'd only worry if it looked like she was straining to try to push it out.
At 4 days old, you want to be more concerned with is the baby feeding well and urinating. If the baby's feeding adequately, and giving plenty of wet diapers (means she's well hydrated) she just may be one of those kids who isn't going to go after every feeding.
2006-08-28 06:52:42 · answer #3 · answered by zippythejessi 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
when my daughter was born she went one time, the meconium ya know? but she didn't go for 4 and 5 days at a time and I was tempted to get an infant suppository, but I just waited it out and found out that was just her schedule. Be thankful she doesn't go every day right now....just wait...she is 5 months old and goes about 4 or 5 times a day!! Yesterday was 8!! Also a breastie baby
2006-09-02 12:59:56 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
My daughter became constipated from time to time when she was a baby and I was told to check her temperature rectally to help stimulate her. I hated doing this but it did help, just be very careful and only do it if she hasn't gone in 48 hours. Find out with your doctor when you can give her diluted apple juice it really helped to regulate my daughter.
2006-09-02 18:15:36 · answer #5 · answered by lajefa 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Its normal. They don't want to force her too much as they don't want her body to copensate for the glyscerin they are using. It is way to early to worry.
2006-08-28 06:58:40 · answer #6 · answered by Jim 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The baby is in the best place right now....very few people on here have the knowlege to help you. Sorry...
2006-08-28 06:54:23 · answer #7 · answered by fairly smart 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
How is she being fed?
Breastmilk is GREAT for eliminating jaundice.
Breastmilk is a natural laxative.
Is she is not being breastfed, I'd suggest that mom start nursing her. It may help the situation.
2006-08-28 06:53:40 · answer #8 · answered by momma2mingbu 7 · 1⤊ 2⤋