I have a newborn she is 4-weeks old and has been having trouble going to the restroom.?

Question

She stars crying when she needs to go but then i will rub her tummy and she will push and push until she can finally go when she finally goes it's not all that hard it's more like peanut butter that is why i dont know why she is having that much trouble she eats very well and only cries when she cannot go the bathroom i already tried switching her formula but she did not like it and got very fussy she is on similac advance with iron i also tried giving her water this helps a little not very good though i asked my pediatrician and she says to try another formula but she has had this since she was born any more advise

Answer 1

Can you breastfeed???

Answer 2

This actually sounds pretty normal to me.

I don't think you need to fool around with her formula, and I definitely don't think you should be giving her water (for SURE not honey!).

If your baby is really having trouble, you can try taking a rectal temperature. The gentle stimulation might help her go.

But lots of babies just seem, to adults, to be constipated, even when they're not. How often does she go? I'm betting, when you think about how many diapers she goes through in a day, you'll see that she's not. ("What to Expect the First Year" has an entry about this very thing.)

It's hard for them to coordinate their muscles to make a bowel movement, and their tummies are often full of air.

I'd make a serious effort to burp her while you're feeding her. You could also try Little Tummies or Mylicaon drops, although I'm not convinced they actually do anything.

And if you feel like you're not getting good answers from your pediatrician, switch pediatricians or call a Nurseline.

Answer 3

Congratulations !
It sounds like your baby's having trouble with gas, not the poop itself. Are you breastfeeding too? If you are also b/feeding, it could be something gassy that you're eating, but if she's strictly on formula, it could be lactose intolerance, in which case if you switch her to a soy formula, there will be a marked difference and you'll have your answer. If the other formula you said she didn't like, was the soy I mentioned, you must keep giving it to her in order to know if she's lactose intolerant. She may not like it at first, but believe me, when she gets hungry enough, she'll take it. Good luck to you and stay in touch with her MD and any changes, for better or worse.
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Addressing the other comments:
1) if it's gas, the prunes will make it worse, but if you try the prunes before you switch to soy and the baby feels better then it was constipation, but although it's possible, it really doesn't sound like constipation if her stool is like peanut butter.
2)If it's constipation the Iron free formula will help, but if it's gas, iron will be inconsequential.
Summary: find if it's gas or constipation by process of elimination (swtich formula or try the prune juice to determine which helps). If gas, switch to soy. If constipation; reduce iron and give a little prune juice everday.
VERY IMPORTANT: DON"T GIVE HER HONEY! there is a bacteria that can be present in honey, which is harmless to kids 2 years of age or older, but causes Batulism in kids less than 2 years of age.
Hope this helps.

Answer 4

I had the same problem with both of my babies when they were newborns. I ended up having to give them baby enema's. This helped get all the pent up poop that was in there little body's out. I only had to do it once and then they would poop OK. They have Baby enema's at the drug store. It doesn't hurt the baby and makes there tummy's feel a lot better. It is very bad for them to have poop inside that wont come out. When I did it with my son, I couldn't believe all the poop that came out. I felt so bad that he had all that in him and just couldn't get it out.
Same with my daughter.

Answer 5

You sound like you have a baby just like mine. I have a 3 month old. He has acid reflux. It made it hard for him to have a bm. It also made him super fussy and really gassy. It could also be a milk allergy. Talk to your child doctor. For the next day write down all your child's symptoms, then bring them with you to the doctor. My son was put on medicine and we learned some tricks to make him more comfortable.
Like : after he eats we don't lay him down he goes in his car seat, bouncy seat, something more upright. This keeps the acid in his belly. We also use infants gas drops, they have worked great for both my kids. Another trick for upset belly is pumping your child's legs as if they were riding a bike. It helps break up gas bubbles in the tummy. Just resting your baby on her belly across your lap can help too. My kids were both on Similac as well, once we changed to Nestle Good start that helped a lot too. But don't switch her formula or give her any meds unless you speak to you doctor. Good luck. Tummy troubles are so tough to deal with, with little ones :)

By the way, I hate to judge other peoples posts but don't EVER give your baby honey before the age of one. Honey contains bacteria that can make your little one very very sick.

Answer 6

My son had the same problem he even herniated his belly button pushing so hard. I switched him to a new Enfamil. I can't remember the name off top of my head but it is still fairly new. It has all the same vitamins as regular formula but it breaks it down even further so it is easier for baby to digest. My son's "movements" no longer resembled play doh.

Answer 7

my brother didn't have a bm for 9 days once when he was a baby.. sometimes they just have trouble. she'll be fine. when my youngest was newborn he had a similar situation. i was worried and frantic, but he was fine and i didn't give him juice.. especially not prune juice. when you start an infant on juice (around 6 mo. is the average) you want it VERY diluted! you can dilute some apple or pear juice (baby kind) around 2-3 mths to help them have a bm but only if its been a few days. i would recommend 2 oz water to 1/2 oz. juice.. don't rush it, it will happen!..

Answer 8

Maybe a low-iron formula would work better for her.

Be careful with the water....too much can be very bad for them!

It's also not too late to relactate if you're interested.

EDITED TO ADD:
DO NOT give a baby honey as mentioned below. This can cause botulism and can KILL your child. I know a little girl who almost died of botulism and it is SERIOUS stuff! NO HONEY UNDER 12 mos!!!!!

Answer 9

It's the iron. Find a formula without it.

Answer 10

Well the first problem is that babies can't literally "go to the bathroom" they cant crawl until they are at least 6 months. I suggest a diaper.

sorry I had to


anyway, did you try soy formula. I had my baby on that and she never had a problem with spitting up, stools, or burps. Babies digestive tract still is developing, so be patient as long as she goes at least once a day, she should be fine.

Answer 11

I am on my second(7 months)... Anyhow switching milk is not great cause her little tummy is gettin used to one!! Anyhow, it is the iron in the milk trust me...So I would either ride it out on this milk or switch 1 more time to no iron and just purchase iron drops. Neither of mine's milk had iron and they are fine. Also when she is a bit older, a smidge of brown sugar in the bottle gets things moving smoothly!! Happy Mothering!