My newborn (5 weeks old) seems to always need to poo and he seems to have a lot of trouble with the pains before hand. He often strains and brings his legs up etc and is unsettled hours before a poo actually comes out and when it does, it is explosive most of the time. He is fully breastfed and I was wondering if it could be something I am eating? What foods and drinks should I avoid? The only foods that I eat every single day are apples, bananas and porriage. Otherwise, it's all varied. I think he has alot of wind, particulary in the afternoons.
2007-09-13 20:19:13 · 8 answers · asked by Jules 2 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
Wow, you're getting a lot of BAD answers. Switching to formula would make it worse, I PROMISE. Giving a newborn water can mess up their brain. Breastfed babies are not constipated (your milk has a natural laxative.)
First of all, newborns always strain and make those grunting noises--it has NOTHING to do with what you're eating. They can't control their muscles like that. Their little sphincter doesn't hold it in because it's not that developed--that's why it's explosive, or there are just little squirts.
He might be unsettled, but it doesn't have to do with his pooping. It's possible that he's having a little gas and this is what you do:
Make sure you're burping him adequately. My first took in a lot of air at first and I had to stop a nursing session to burp him and then latch him on again.
Bicycle his legs a little to help relieve any pressure.
You could even have an over-supply of milk.
If you don't have a book yet, I recommend The Nursing Mother's Companion Guide, it has the low down on everything. You can also check out Kelly mom on the link below.
As far as specific foods, my babies couldn't take chocolate, broccoli, cabbage, or caffeine. Some babies don't like tomatoes, or even dairy. Keep some notes and see if you notice any patterns.
All that being said, babies that age can be very fussy. Just feed him when he asks and as long as he wants, burp him thoroughly, and it will work out.
2007-09-13 21:10:50 · answer #1 · answered by maegs33 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
For the gas, I recommend gripe water - we've used it for three generations in our family. For the constipation, I recommend glycerine suppositories. Not pleasant, I know, but you have to help him if he hasn't done a smelly for 2-3 days.
2016-04-04 20:09:11 · answer #2 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's normal. I breastfed exclusively too. My daughter seemed to leak because of her forceful poos all the time. At least I knew she was healthy. Congrats on your new baby!
2007-09-13 20:27:07 · answer #3 · answered by Precious 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
You should be able to see a nutritionist at a local WIC office to get information on foods you should avoid. Anything could be causing him this discomfort. Just make sure after every feeding you burp him, and you may want to consider switching him to a formula. Just give the WIC office a call...
Good Luck
2007-09-13 20:27:24 · answer #4 · answered by Kasey 2 · 2⤊ 3⤋
My son did this too. I think it was dairy. I tried eliminating it from my diet and it seemed to help. It is kind of hard to eliminate all dairy from your diet sometimes... I really missed cheese and milk! But my son was definitely less gassy and fussy while I did. I slowly reintroduced it and his gas/fussiness wasn't nearly as bad... as he got older. But I think newborns have sensitive digestive tracts in general. They're getting used to processing your milk.
KUDOS TO YOU FOR EXCLUSIVELY BREASTFEEDING. You rock! I know it's not always easy... so breastfeeding mama's deserve props!!
2007-09-13 21:50:37 · answer #5 · answered by Haulie 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
have you talked to your peditrician? He may be having trouble with your breast milk and the doctor can tell you this. He will also recommend another food that doesn't cause this poor kid to be hating it. She can also tell you if it just your diet causing the gas. You sure you're not eating frijoles and drinking beer with them?
you arent taking drugs of any kind like an anti depressant or any other drug?
Bless the little guys heart, he'll be ok but be sure and see the doc. And don't make his first solid food frijoles
2007-09-13 20:33:53 · answer #6 · answered by wpepper 4 · 0⤊ 4⤋
I had to formula feed because of medical reasons but my baby was doing the same thing at 5 weeks old. I switched him to soy and he still seems to be having a little difficulty. I think they are just learning how to work the muscles that are required to make a poop come out.
2007-09-13 20:23:32 · answer #7 · answered by moongoddess209 5 · 1⤊ 4⤋
it sounds as if he may be constipated. it has nothing to do with what you have been eating and its perfectly normal for breastfed infants to have to poop quite frequently. try giving the baby water to drink each day and changing up feeding times but first you should talk to your pediatrician to see what he thinks.
2007-09-13 20:33:18 · answer #8 · answered by So Confused 3 · 0⤊ 3⤋