What can I do for my two week old that may be constipated?

Question

She has not had a bowel movement in almost two days and is a lot fussier than usual. Shes not running a temp and the doctor said its normal for newborns to go a couple days without pooping, but she seems very uncomfortable. Can I do anything to help her?

Answer 1

She's probably not constipated. More likely, she's fussy because moving her bowels will actually start to take some work with muscles that she has not had to use before. Until she gets the hang of it and those muscles develop, she may fuss, strain, grunt, and such. Many babies start moving their bowels every 1-2 days, and breastfed babies move their bowels less often than formula fed babies (because breast milk metabolizes so thoroughly).

I would not try any remedies of any sort. If you are concerned, try a mechanical solution (take her temperature rectally - that gets things moving... er, literally). Or you could try a suppository (but call your ped for instructions and advice on that before doing it).

Once she passes stool, have a look. If it is not hard and dry, she is not constipated. Peanut butter consistency or looser is normal.

This is all information and advice from my son's pediatric GI specialist (he has a specialist for his reflux, and I asked him these questions early on when I was afraid my son was constipated... he was not).

Answer 2

The karo syrup in her bottle is a great idea... thats what I would use with my kids, it's so much more gentle than the little tummy's laxative but, if it's too bad... then the baby laxative might be a good idea if it goes on for a couple more days (I would aske my dr. about the laxative first... she might be too young for it). Also, I would lay them on their back and bend their legs (do it so that her knees touch her belly) then straighten them out... be gentle and do this for about 5-10 minutes at a time (I would do it 3-5 times a day).... this manipulation will help her to poop. Thats what I've done with my 4 week old and it works and is so much more gentle than anything else you could do.

Answer 3

If she's breastfed she doesnt need to poop. Its normal for babies even on a bottle to not poop every day, or every other day.

Give her a couple teaspoons of water (an ounce or two) that will move things along if she needs the help. Otherwise just leave her. Newborns seem uncomfortable all the time, theyre a lot of organs and systems in a very VERY small package.

Answer 4

well, it depends on bottle feeding and breastfeeding, and while its safe to listen to your doctor....as mine told me the same thing, they are not always right, mine told me my baby was fine, but then my mother gave her Dark Karo Syrup, and she pooped....alot, and it wasn't watery or diahrrea...but hard, so sometimes its normal, but other times its not, it really just depends on your baby, like mine, she is 4mths old, and faithfully since she was born has had one bowel movement a day....and its always around the same time, its gotten to the point to where if I know its coming time for one to happen,,.I wait to change her clothes or diapers. so if for two weeks she has had them regularly and now is not...and is fussy because of it, chances are...she's constipated, and again it depends on bottle feeding and breastfeeding. you can offer her Karo syrup to help, it has to be the dark karo, and 1-2 tablespoons at a feeding, so if she is breastfed then if possible give her the feeding in a bottle with 1-2 tables spoons of syrup and then again on the next feeding, and that should help, if it gets things moving be sure to not give her anymore. if she is bottle fed, feed her the same way.

Answer 5

Ask your doctor to make sure but my doctor told me (with all 3 of my children my youngest is 3 oldes is 10) (and I also did) to put a little Karo syrup in some water or formula and give them that to drink. You can't give it to often and/or put to much Karo syrup in it b/c it is very sweet and they may get used to the sugary sweetness and not take the formula/breast milk as well...........it worked well with mine within an hour or so after they drank it......I hope this helps.

You can find Karo syrup in the isle with cake mixes and flour, etc.........

Answer 6

She's in all likelihood NOT constipated, especially if she is breastfed. All babies grunt and squirm like that at first--you can't compare that to the way that adult have bowel movements, it's not the same.

Listen to KarenJ and PrimaDiva, they're right.

Answer 7

Ask your baby's pediatrician, or his/her nurse if you can add a small amount of kero syrup to her bottle (if you are bottle feeding).
Above all, do NOT try the vaseline smeared on the end of a q-tip trick!
There's nothing wrong per se with asking this kind of a question, but you will get a better answer from your pediatrician rather than here on Yahoo Answers......

Answer 8

Give her drink a little bit of water every time before feeding. Each time diaper change ask her (do u want to poo poo). Take off the diaper and grab her leg up try to mmm..mmm... her about 5-10min. If look very funny but is work for my daughter,she is 5 weeks old now.

Answer 9

My baby had the same problem and her pediatrician told me to put some vaselinde on a q-tip and stick the tip of the q-tip in her bottom...this worked! You can also put a table spoon of dark karo syrup in her bottle. Good Luck!

Answer 10

Constipation is rare in younger babies, especially breastfed ones, although it may be a problem in an older baby once solid foods have been introduced.

Breastfed babies may go from having several bowel movements a day in the first few weeks of life, to only having one or two in an entire week. Even when it's soft or liquid, all babies sometimes have to strain to pass a stool. In fact, before long, you'll recognise your baby's particular grimaces and grunts as she works on her bowel movements.

Bottle-fed babies tend to have one firm bowel movement a day, though some may only have a bowel movement once every three or four days. This isn't considered abnormal unless the stool is hard and pellet-like. True constipation occurs when stool in the lower intestine is pinched by the tightening of muscles, which can stall, and the longer it remains, the firmer and drier it becomes.

Before suspecting constipation, it may help to familiarise yourself with the symptoms below and to understand that in babies, just like in adults, bowel patterns vary.


What are the symptoms of constipation?

For babies 0-3 months old, constipation is rare, even if your baby is formula-fed. Some babies grunt and strain with every movement, although it's not necessarily constipation. Still, if your baby cries or looks uncomfortable, check with your health visitor or your GP. If your newborn passes solid stools less than once a day, it is generally considered constipation.

For an older baby who has started solids, symptoms may include:

• Irritability, abdominal pain and gastric discomfort

A hard abdomen

• Abdominal pain which decreases after a bowel movement

• Blood-streaked stools, usually due to rectal fissures caused by passing hard stools

• Hard-to-pass, pellet-like stools


Why does constipation occur?


A baby might become constipated because he isn't getting enough fluids. If the problem persists, it's important to have a check-up; your doctor may want to rule out illness or anal fissures.


How can I treat it?


You should check with your GP or health visitor before trying anything to relieve your baby's discomfort. You may be asked to bring her in to be examined.

For an older baby who is on solids, ask your health visitor about adding a few tablespoons of pureed prunes to your baby's morning cereal, or giving him two teaspoons of prune juice.

Some experts recommend adding a teaspoon of bran to your baby's cereal, to add fibre, although take care to not overdo this. Try to give your baby fruits and vegetables (in small bits, of course) so he gets adequate fibre, and plenty of drinks, including plain water.

These remedies may also offer baby some relief:

• Try bicycling your baby's legs if he seems constipated. This may help move stool matter along his intestine.

• If he's eating solids, cut down on constipating foods, such as rice, bananas, or cereal.

It's not uncommon for babies to experience constipation, especially once they're eating solids, as their bodies learn how to manage new foods. With your attention, necessary treatment, and time, he'll soon establish easier, regular bowel movements.