my baby is 2 weeks old and she did not poo for the last 40 hours. I think she's constipated?

Question

she didn't sleep at all last night and was very restless.

She is still feeding normally and she has wet nappies

Anyone have any suggestions?

thanks

I have of course called the midwives, and they suggested a teaspoon of prune juice mixed with water.

They said it's prob due to the formula. (she gets both breast and formula top up)

Was looking to see if any of you had other suggestions....

Thanks

thanks to everyone for their suggestions (except to the silly answers)

We are all relieved when she poohed after more breastmilk and abit of prune juice!

Answer 1

Come on, any baby that little needs to be referred to the doctor or at least the health visitor, NOT to Y/A!
Get proper medical advice NOW if you have any concern about your baby, don't waste your time here, this is your baby we're talking about, not a car or a PS2...

Oh, glad to see your added details.

Prune juice, yes, if you can find any that has NO added sugar.

Also remember that anything YOU eat/drink passes through the breast milk; so, have a lot of anti-constipation foods yourself and your baby will benefit from it. (greens -especially raw like cucumbers and lettuce for salads etc, oranges -the large navels are fabulous at this time of year, grapes and melon),

Answer 2

If she was fully breastfed then I wouldn't worry - that happens sometimes. However, because she is receiving formula - she may be a little constipated. You could try giving her some cooled boiled water. You might consider not using formula. Do you need to do that?

Two weeks is so early to be introducing formula. If you do that, you will reduce your own milk supply and may inadvertently end up weaning your baby.

Babies have a growth spurt about every two weeks when they are very little and they will want to feed more often and for longer for a couple of days around every two weeks - this increased feeding behaviour sends a message to your breasts to produce more milk - after a couple of days they do that and the baby settles down into normal feeding again. Breast milk is perfect for your baby and has natural laxative properties. I would be very wary of introducing prune juice to a very young baby.

Anyway, a good source of support is the Nursing Mother's Association. I found them to be the experts when it came to feeding babies - they were much more informed than the child nurses.

Good luck with it all.

Answer 3

We have been having this exact same problem with our 9 week old. He doesn't poo for days at a time and then does a huge one!

He's exclusively breastfed and the Health Visitor and Doctor have both told me not to worry - they told me that if baby is constipated the stools will be hard lke marbles. Some babies don't have a daily bowel movement and as long as they are producing wet nappies there isn't anything to worry about.

A 2 week old breastfed baby shouldn't be given anything other than breastmilk really. I really would not give such a little baby prune juice. A little cooled boiled water is all you should really give her, if anything, besides her breastmilk. We give our son a teaspoon of cooled boiled water and it seems to settle him and make him poo.

If she is getting formula milk be careful not to add too much powder to the mixture as that can make a baby constipated.

If I were you I would keep her on breastmilk as much as possible - its much better for babies, doesn't clog up their little digestive systems and you know its not full of additives. My son only gets breastmilk and nothing else!

Answer 4

As a mommy and a nurse, 40 hours seems like a long time (personally and professionally). I would call the doctor right away. Something a PA at work and fellow mommy advised me to do when I was concerned it was too long between poo's was to take a q-tip with vaseline on the end and run around the very inside of baby's rectum, not very far inside at all. This worked like a charm for my son. You should be able to feel the poo if it is impacted in there (which occurs with constipation). Your pediatrician is an expert but trust your instincts. You can always head to the local ER for a second opinion. Good luck!

Also, you can rub baby's tummy in a clockwise motion. When our son switched from breastmilk to formula, we always added 1 oz of water to a 4 oz bottle and 2 oz of water to an 8 oz bottle, as formula can be very constipating and it seemed to reduce constipation in our son.

Answer 5

If she is breastfed then this is zero cause for concern. Breastfed babies can go many days - up to 21 or even more - without doing a poo. If her nappies are wet and she is feeding normally then do not worry.
If she is bottle fed, then who knows frankly. That artificial stuff can really clog a baby's system. Whatever you do, do NOT offer her gripe water (a sedative) or orange juice (her gut is not ready for this acid).

Edit: for those who are so ignorant as to give this a thumbs down: I am a breastfeeding counsellor and I for one know what I am talking about. Any health visitor will tell you the same.

Answer 6

we had the same problem when my second eldest was a baby, mild constipation, and not got the urge to push was like that for a day and a half, see your doctor you can get very soft suppositories which, in our case, worked immediately. I know it's not a desirable thought, but when inserting take caution about how quick this can work and be prepared for the results...a towel is a good idea...! :)

Hope this helps and that all is well :)

Answer 7

Oh you poor thing. That sounds stressful. I think you should check in with a doctor. The combination of no poo and restless and not sleeping sounds like her bowels aren't working as they should especially if she is feeding normally. One for the experts I think, especially a baby so young. Good luck.

Answer 8

Hi, had this problem with my son, try giving her a teaspoon of brown sugar dissolved in 4oz of boiled water, leave the water to cool obviously! if it continues switch the formula, Cow and gate comfort is excellent, a real god send. I had this for few months with my son and I worried myself to death about it, as soon as she is on solids give her plenty of fruit and veg and she will be poohing for England! good luck

Answer 9

for a 2weeks old baby that is not normal , but if you are breastfeeding i would be looking at my diet what i am actually eating, cos it also affcts the baby especially when you consume alot of bread, if you are bottle feeding ie formular, try watering the milk down , and also try offering a little bit of cooled boiled water,it could also help if you massage the area with olive oil with one of your fingers.this worked like magic for me.
Good luck dear

Answer 10

Try cooled boiled water if she is bottle fed, Breast fed babies usually don't need extra water but it never harms them use a sterilised bottle and let the water cool in the bottle you can place in a jug of cold water. it would be a good idea to contact your health visitor also if your concerned hope this helps