Newborn Costipation what causes it and how can i fix it?

Question

My 3 week old son hasn't had a bowel movement in 2 and 1/2 days. Any ideas why and how can I fix it?

Answer 1

How can I tell if my baby is constipated?
When it comes to a baby's bowel movements, there's no "normal" number or schedule — only what's normal for your baby. Your baby may pass a stool after every feeding, or wait a day or more between bowel movements. Her individual pattern depends on what she eats and drinks, how active she is, and how quickly she digests her food and then gets rid of waste. With practice, you'll be able to tune in to your baby's unique habits.

If you're concerned that your baby may be constipated, there are a couple of clues to look for. One clue is less frequent bowel movements than her norm, especially if she hasn't had one in three or more days and is obviously uncomfortable when she does have one. And if she has hard, dry stools that are difficult for her to pass — no matter how frequently — she may be constipated.

By the way, if you notice very liquid stools in your child's diaper, don't assume it's diarrhea — in fact, it may be evidence of constipation. Liquid stools can slip past the blockage in the lower intestine and wind up in your child's diaper.

Why is my baby getting constipated?
There are several possible culprits:

Formula. Babies who breastfeed exclusively are rarely constipated. Breast milk has the perfect balance of fat and protein, so it produces stools that are almost always soft — even if your baby hasn't had one for several days. If your baby is on formula, it's possible that something in her formula is making her constipated. Ask your baby's doctor about switching brands. (Despite what you may have heard, the amount of iron in formula doesn't have any bearing on constipation.)

The introduction of solids. Don't be surprised if your baby becomes mildly constipated as she steps up to solid food. That's often because rice cereal, usually the first food given during this transition period, is low in fiber.

Dehydration. If your baby isn't getting enough fluid, she'll become dehydrated and her system will respond by absorbing more fluid from whatever she eats or drinks — and from the waste in her bowels, as well. The result is hard, dry bowel movements that are difficult to pass.

A medical condition or illness. Though it's uncommon, constipation can be caused by an underlying medical condition such as hypothyroidism, some metabolic disorders, some food allergies and botulism. If your baby passes hard, painful stools, you'll want her doctor to check her out, just to make sure.

Rarely, constipation is caused by a condition called Hirschsprung's disease, which is typically diagnosed within the first few weeks of life. A baby with this disease suffers from a birth defect that prevents her gut from functioning properly.

How can I treat my baby's constipation?
Here are some things to try:
• Get her some exercise. If your baby's a crawler, encourage her to do a few laps. If she's not crawling yet, try pumping her legs: While she's lying on her back, gently move her legs in a forward, circular motion as if she were pedaling a bicycle.

• Massage your baby's belly. Measure three finger-widths below her navel and apply gentle but firm pressure with your fingertips. Press until you feel a firmness or mass. Maintain gentle but constant pressure for about three minutes.

• If you feed your baby formula, ask her doctor about switching to a different brand. Some babies are less constipated on soy formula. And sometimes adding a teaspoon of Karo corn syrup to the formula also does the trick.

• Switch from rice cereal to barley or oat cereal, or add pureed fruits or vegetables to her regular cereal, once your baby is ready for them. Read about what foods to introduce when.

• Once your baby is eating a variety of solid foods, ask her doctor if you can boost her fiber intake by adding a teaspoon of bran to her cereal. Cut down on constipating foods like rice, bananas, and cooked carrots, and try mixing her cereal with a little bit of apple or prune juice or a few tablespoons of pureed prunes, apricots, or pears to help loosen her bowel movements.

• Increase the amount of fluid your baby drinks to help keep her stools soft. If your baby is older than 2 months, start by giving her 1 ounce of prune juice diluted with 1 ounce of water, twice a day. As her constipation improves, you can cut back. Talk with the doctor first if your baby is 2 months old or younger.

• Talk to your baby's doctor about treatment options. Ask about using an over-the-counter stool softener to make bowel movements more comfortable for your baby, but never give your baby a laxative without her doctor's approval. The doctor may also suggest you try a glycerin suppository if your baby is severely constipated. The suppository will stimulate the rectum and help her pass a stool. While using a suppository occasionally is fine, don't do it on a regular basis, since your baby could wind up relying on them to have a bowel movement.

• If your baby is passing such hard, dry stools that she tears the delicate skin near the opening of her anus (you may be able to see these tears, known as anal fissures, or a little blood), you can apply some aloe vera lotion to the area to help it heal. Be sure to mention the tears to your baby's doctor.

Answer 2

I'm sorry he's having trouble.
When my daughter was 3 days old she got constipated, didn't go for 2 days i had to give her a suppository. For the first 10 months of her life i had to do suppositories every 2-3 days because her G.D pediatrician who isn't worth a darn wouldn't help us.
I advice highly you consult his pediatrician, there should be a liquid stool thinner they can prescribe.
My daughter is now 2 1/2 and because her pediatrician didn't help us for over a year, i changed doctors when sh was 15 months, This doctor ordered an X-Ray immediatly and we found my daughters intestines were completely blocked. We got sent to the hospital and because of how long she had been constipated her colon is enlarged and her intestines are very very slow. She is now prescribed a powdered stool thinner which can either give her the runs or give her normal bowel movements.
So please please have your son seen too immediatly to give him relief and so he doesn't end up with the same issues my daughter has. Get some glycerin suppositories in the mean time, don't use a whole one just break of the thin end about 1/4 way and make sure it goes right into his butt, hold his cheeks closed, you have to wait at least 5 minutes and it's hard, i cried every time but that's the only way to get everything out.
Poor guy, breaks my heart to even think about.
I hope this helps and i didn't go into detail to scare you but more as info from one mom to another about getting it seen to early, i should have changed doctors quicker but we couldn't at the time....my biggest mistake!

Answer 3

I had the same problem...its not really constipation. Some babies can go 3 days without a bowel movement. My dr said if it goes over 3 days then bring him in. It didn't.

Answer 4

I would talk to your doctor on that one. You don't want to do something to hurt him more. Sometimes if they are on formula you might need to switch to a soy milk, or a formula that has less iron.
Personally my pediatrition told me not to get scared if i only change one poopy diaper in a week. As long as he is peeing that is good. What is happening is that he is getting all the nutrient and his body is obsorbing them. I am breast feeding though.
To be safe, call a doctor.

Answer 5

some babys dont have a bowl movement for days, my second son had one every 3 or 4 days, my doctor told me that some babys go for a week before they have one, i would wait a few days and if your still worried then contact your doctor about it..

Answer 6

There is a infants laxitive sold at Wal- Mart or any drug store called Fletcher's Castoria.... I used it with all 3 my kids, Use 1/2 teaspoon in the baby's bottle at night, it you are bottle feeding, and if breastfeeding, give through a bottle nipple or through one of those medicine droppers.....good luck

Answer 7

My daughter had constipation at about 3 weeks the ped. told me to mix 1 oz of apple juice to 2 oz of water and give it to her and it worked.

Answer 8

put karo syrup in his bottle my son is 6 months and gets constipated alot and i have been putting karo syrup in his bottles since he was about 3 weeks old as well... it works put about 1 oz in his bottle with every bottle untill he starts getting bowel movements.. it shouldnt take too long...

Answer 9

Is he on formula, if yes there is the answer. Some formulas are to hard to disgest for some babies. Call your pediatrician and ask what you can do for the conspitation and if they reccomand a change in formula.

Answer 10

WHEN DAUGHTER WAS LITTLE SHE HAD THAT PROBLEM TO HER DR SAID TO TAKE A Q-TIP WITH A LITTLE VASELINE ON IT AND PUT IN HIS BUTT ONLY A LITTLE WAYS IN OR USE A RECTAL THERMOMETER IT ALWAYS WORKED FOR USE BUT IF IT DOESN'T WORK THEY SELL INFANT SUPPOSITORY THEY ARE LIQUID HOPE THIS HELPS YOU MAY NEED TO CHANGE FORMULA OR IF YOU BREAST-FEED YOU MAY HAVE TO CHANGE WHAT YOU EAT WE HAD TO PUT MY DAUGHTER ON GOODSTART SOY