my 12 day old daughter won't poop...?

Question

My daughter has been constipated since we came home from the hospital. She had regular BMs while we were in the hospital but after we came home she hasn't had one on her own. At times (mostly in the evenings) she starts crying and I can tell she's straining trying to go poop but nothing ever happens. She has really bad gas and we've used Mylicon drops to help that. I called the dr last thursday and he told me to give her dark karo syrup in one bottle a day and that if I need to I can give her 1/2 of a child's suppository. I've given her the syrup and it hasn't helped any. We've given her 2 suppositories and those are the only bowel movements she has had. She is fed mostly breast milk but due to not having enough breastmilk I've had to supplement formula for about 2 or 3 feedings a day. We go to the dr on Wednesday but does anyone have any suggestions on what could be causing the problem?

We are currently using Nestle Good Start Supreme Formula in the orange can. We started out on Similac Advanced (that's what they gave her in the hospital) but we switched last Monday after talking to the dr. Switching formulas hasn't seemed to help anything. (For you who said to call the pedi...if you would have read everything I wrote you would have seen that I have been talking to him and we go see him on wed.)

Answer 1

I had a friend who had a daughter with BM issues, even when she got older and was being potty trained, she would cry and be in so much pain, that it even slowed her down being potty trained and everything.

I don't know why this is happening, since you are feeding her formula it could perhaps be an allergy or intolerance of some sort, like when people have lactose intolerance, a lot of people get really bloated and gassy when they drink milk or things that don't agree with their body.

if you are so worried, you need to stress the importance of this and get to the doctor and not wait until wednesday. it could be very serious.

it may or may not help, but have you tried maybe some infant massage? lay the baby down and rub her belly in a clockwise motion (the order of the intestines). it's an "i love you" technique, where you coo to the baby, first rub up the ascending colon (right side of the stomach) and make an "I" while saying "i" and then rub up the side again, but this time over to the left side, making an "L" and saying "love" and then, starting at the right side, rub up, over, and down the left side, making a "U" and saying "you". sometimes it helps a little.

you can also use your fingers together to rub small circles on her stomach too. just make sure you always go in that clockwise motion. this can release tension and stress in the digestive system and relax the body a little.. i hope it helps a little!

Answer 2

My daughter is 6 months old but she's had bowel problems too. The doctor recommended Nestle's GoodStart formula. The protiens are broken down to digest easier. I also give her up to 5 Tsp of Prune juice aday. Last night I had to give a pediatric suppository. (Not fun) but a total success. Her dr. said only bring her back if she doesn't have BM for 3 days. The Nestle's really helped and so does the prune juice. Just check w/ the nurse and make sure she's not too young. He also suggested 2 oz of Apple juice but she doesn't like it. Good luck!

Answer 3

I switched my daughter from breast feeding (not enough supply), to similac advance. She pooped a little on the Similac, but not much and the karo didn't help a lot. Then I switched her to Similac Isomil Advance. Why don't you try switching to a gentle formula or a soy formula? It may be an intolerance to the milk proteins in normal formula.

PS: The gas is partially from the constipation.

Answer 4

My son did the same thing. He pooped fine in the hospital but as soon as he came home he stopped. He didn't poop for 5 days. Sometimes they just need a lil stimulation. My doctor said don't do this on a regular basis because they need to learn by themselves but she lubed up a pinky finger and slid it in his rectum just about a 1/2 in. And sure enough a lot of poop came out with it. Also, when I took him to the hospital because I was so worried, they put a thermometer up there and that did it to. Karo syrup has worked since then, haven't had to use my finger thank goodness. Hope this helps, not exactly pleasant, but who cares if it will help your babe. :)

Answer 5

The same exact thing happened to my son. Only I didnt breastfeed at all. The only time he pooped was when i gave him a supository. Its because of the formula. My son was on Enfamil lipil, Enfamil Gentelease, and two different types of Similac and he was constipated with every single one. Try switching his formula to Nestle Good Start, the purple kind. My doctor put him on that b/c of him being constipated, its especially for babies who get easily constipated, and within days he started having normal bowels. And now hes 6 months and hasnt had a problem with it. Keep doin the supositories untill she starts going on her own. I hope this helps and congrats.

Answer 6

It can be very common for newborns to be constipated. Some babies can be constipated for two weeks when they first come home. There are remedies that you can do at home, such as sitting the child in a bath (with you of course) with warm (NOT hot) water to relax the muscles and possibly bring on a bowel movement. Sit in the tub with her and massage her belly lightly. be prepared for her to poop in the bathtub.

You can also try milk of magnesia, but I don't think you can use that for infants that young. Check the bottle before you use it.

There are websites on the internet for home remedies for infant constipation. Try looking those up.

Good luck

Answer 7

Breast fed babies wont poop for up to 2 weeks but.....when given formula sometimes it messes up their stomachs.I gave my daughter prune juice half water half juice.Also my doc told me the sphinter may need to stretch a little,remember the baby has all brand new muscles.But the baby may have gas is all.My daughter didnt poop for a long time,and the doc said she was fine.Here is a link to help you out...http://www.keepkidshealthy.com/newborn/newbornproblems/constipation.html I hope this helps

Answer 8

Very common... my baby's doctor said his son used to poop once every two weeks. Just depends on the kid... dont worry. It's hard hearing them cry. Try adding a tiny bit of applejuice or prune juice to a bottle. A TINY BIT. And, try bicycle kicking the baby's legs. It gets things moving and often times soothes their aikin' bellies

Answer 9

Go to the hospital, it could be VERY serious. It may not be, but do not risk waiting.

Answer 10

give her some water or try giving her baby powder formula mix with water