I have a 5 weeks old baby that hasn't pooped in 2 days, I believe he's constipated. How can i fix this??

Answer 1

My daughter has suffered from constipation since she was a baby, and I'm going to tell you what I usually did to fix the problem. You can take either a cotton swab {Q-tip} or a mercury thermomether, lube the tip with a little Petroleum Jelly, and insert it into your baby's rectum no more than a half of an inch deep. If this doesn't seem to work [it ussually does], then you can try a couple of pharmacy-bought OTC remedies. One is glycerin supossitories [make sure you get the baby-size ones, they also come in adult-size]; insert one supossitory completely into your baby's rectum and squeeze his buttocks together for a few seconds, put his diaper back on and in 5-15 minutes or less he should have a bowel movement. Another is Babylax, a small bulb filled with liquid glycerin; it has a tiny tube-like fixture that you insert into the baby's rectum, squeeze the bulb to release the glycerin and put the diaper back on; it's very fast acting, a couple of minutes or less. As for oral medications, you can give him Baby Colace; read the label to determine the proper dosage for your baby's weight and age {this is not a laxative, it's a fecal softener, so it makes it easier for your baby to evacuate his bowels}. Lastly, I was advised to put a little of Karo syrup [the clear one, NOT the one for pancakes] into the baby's formula, but I never actually tried it, although some moms swear by it. If none of these options seem to help, or if the baby cries like he is in pain, call your Pediatrician ASAP to get him checked up. Good luck, and hope that my advise is helpful to you and your baby.

Answer 2

Your baby isn't strictly breastfed if you are giving juice. Some breastfed babies do go 11 or even 13 days without pooping but they aren't in discomfort and that is key. When the baby is happy then not pooping can be normal. The problem with the poop sitting in the intestine is that if you get constipated enough you can't eat anymore and a baby can become dehydrated. It also stretches the bowel which can prevent a baby knowing when they have to go. Babies that associate pooping with pain will also try to hold it in and that can cause constipation for all these reasons it needs to be treated. I don't know what else you can do but follow doctor's instructions at this point. They are going to have to do some tests to see where the problem is.

Answer 3

You can lightly massage the left side of the tummy in a downward motion. This is where the descending colon is. You might also try a little Karo syrup in some water. About a table spoon to be exact. Normally a gentle massage helps get things moving and it also works well when they have gas. Just remember you want to use enough pressure to help, but not enough to hurt. I'm sure you can figure out what the right amount of pressure. Just start under left side of the rib cages and go down to the hip, repeat it for awhile and if nothing happens try doing it again. It just help stimulate peristalsis. If you keep going w/o a bowel movement call the doctor. Remember if the baby is breastfed you are going to get much less poop than with formula. You baby absorbs more of the nutrient from breast milk and that makes less waist!

Answer 4

If baby is being breastfed, it is very UNLIKELY that he is constipated as breastmilk has natural laxative effects. Babies have different timetables and while some newborns fill 4 diapers a day, others only have a bowel movement about once a week. My daughter only had a bowel movement every 7-10 day from birth until she was eating solids. If you still think constipation may be an issue, you should look at if your baby seems to be upset and have stomach pains. In this case, check with a local nurse or doctor.

Answer 5

IF he is breastfed it is perfectly normal for him to go up to SEVEN days without pooping. With formula I understand around 2-3 days is also normal.

There are only two ways to diagnose constipation in a baby one is to actually see the hard poop, the other is to have a doctor remove a stool sample. Straining and going a long time between poops are NOT signs of constipation, they are perfectly normal things for a baby to do. Honestly sometimes they strain and strain and their faces turn red and you SWEAR that they are trying to poop and you are convinced they have constipation and then two days later they poop and it is liquid.

Sometimes babies just look like they are straining, or they are straining for some other reason. Their digestive system is just trying to figure it out.

If your baby is very fussy or you are really concerned go to your doctor. He will examine the babies abdomen and maybe take a stool sample. But trust me, this is perfectly normal even if until today he pooped 10 times a day.

----------------------
Edited to add:

It is NOT safe to insert anything inflexible into your babies bottom.

It is NOT safe to give a 5 day old juice or fruit, or anything that isn't breast milk or formula. EXCEPT certain medications and even then it should be a last resort and I would consult a doctor first even for something as benign as gripe water or a suppository.

In some areas a public health nurse will come to your house. If that is available have one come out. She will help assess your baby and can show you how to do infant massage. She can advise you about medications based on the size of your baby. That way you don't have to go out to a doctor.

If there is a lactation consultant clinic/breastfeeding clinic you can go and seek advice even if you are formula feeding. They can help assess a baby, babies eating habits and pooping habits. They will weigh your baby and whatnot as well.

Babies that young do not need water and water can cause diarrhoea, water intoxication, malnutrition and even death.

Answer 6

CALL YOUR PEDIATRICIAN NOW! OVER THE COUNTER REMEDIES FOR A 5 WEEK OLD IS JUST NOT THE BEST THING!
READ THIS!!
Massage your baby's tummy

Start at the belly button and then massage outwards in circles in a clockwise direction. Some oil or cream on your fingers can also help.

Only continue if your baby enjoys the massage and is comfortable and relaxed.Move your baby's legs in a cycling motion

Place your baby so he or she is lying on their back. Hold their legs and turn them gently in a quick cycling motion.

This will make the stomach muscles move and, in turn, put gentle pressure on the intestines to make them move.

Give your baby a bath

A warm bath can make your baby relax so the stools are passed more easily. Once your baby has relaxed in the bath, you can also massage their stomach (see above).

When you wash your baby's bottom, apply some cream or petroleum jelly (Vaseline) around the outside of the anus.


Don't use a thermometer to stimulate movement!
Don't put a thermometer or anything else inside your baby's anus to stimulate bowel movement, because this may cause damage.

Answer 7

I had the same issue and was very concerned. My daughter would poop everytime she ate when she was first born but then we came to a time where she would go a week inbetween poops. I asked the doctor and he said that breastfed babies do this and it is very normal. Breastmilk has just what they need and not a lot extra so sometimes they don't need to get rid of anything. He said he had seen a baby go two weeks and the baby was perfectly healthy. I wouldn't worry too much. Just be prepared to take him to the bath when he does go.

Answer 8

Best Constipation Cures

Answer 9

If he was constipated, he would be straining a great deal. Constipation is hard dry stool that is difficult to pass. It's common for babies this young not to have a bm for up to a week. There's no need to worry, it's very normal, just make sure he has several heavy weight diapers in a day, to ensure he remains hydrated. At this age, there's no need for home remedies. When he does have a BM...watch out ! haha

Answer 10

Breastfed babies may not poop as often...some only once or twice a week. This happened with my daughter a few weeks ago (she's now 2 months old). You can try to stimulate him by inserting a thermometer and rubbing vaseline in that area. Then mix 2oz of pure 100% white grape juice with 2oz of water and feeding him that. This is totally safe and what we were told to do. It worked even though she only took a little...she didn't like the taste I guess. Be prepared for a possible mess in the diaper though....it works REAL good.

Good luck.