Baby not pooing for over 24 hours

[Dorisdolalee]

Not sure where to post this but my 2 week old up to now has been BF and wet nappies and 2/3 poos per day. Now he hasn't pooed since Monday eve & I'm worried as his tummy is tight and he seems to struggle occasionally but nothing comes out. Still feeding and sleeping though.
Any advice appreciated. I'm taking anti biotics & I wondered if that's the cause.

[squizita]

Ring your mw who will come and have a look.

Mine "cut down" on poo quite dramatically at 3 weeks. I had her checked over and it was just one of those things. Recommended massaging tummy clockwise and pedalling the legs. Also feeding frequently.
When she did poo it was EPIC.

Of it were constipation a hcp would be best placed to advise on easing it out.

[tiktok]

Agree with squiz - this is one for the midwife.

Is your baby literally sleeping through?

[Dorisdolalee]

Well the baby sleeps well but feeds 3/4 hourly in the night. More in the day.
Ok half way through replying and he's done a poo!!
I'll try massaging too
Thanks for your advice... I'll see how we go - perhaps it's not constipation after all

[tiktok]

Highly unlikely to be constipation :)

All sounds ok, but check with m/w.

[neolara]

All 3 of my dcs would often go up to 7 days without pooing. I don't think it's that uncommon for breatfed babies. Poonamis when they finally arrived. But ask the midwife if you're worried.

[Wisteria123]

Hello. Glad to hear your baby boy has now had a poo! Babies that are breastfed tend not to become constipated: and one of the reasons that a baby may not have a poo on a daily basis is because breast milk is so easily digested. As long as your baby boy continues to want his feed - there's nothing to be concerned about. I agree with massaging the tummy and flexing baby's legs: it can work - and it can make a mum feel she is doing something physical to help. If a baby is being fed on formula and is not having a poo on a regular basis - then this may be something to be concerned about. Hope this helps [from an ex health visitor]

[CurlsLDN]

It's very common for ebf babies to not poo for up to seven days - because your milk is so perfectly tailored to babies needs, there's v little waste! However if he seems in pain or you're worried, definitely give the hv a call

[tiktok]

It's not common for babies of a few weeks old not to poo several times a day - in fact, it can be a sign to ensure the baby is weighed and that feeding is effective. The 'seven days between poos' is only not worth worrying about with an older baby.

It's not that there is 'no waste' with breastmilk - if that was the case, there would not be massive up-the-back-of-the-vest explosions when the poo does come :)

The gastro-colic reflex is very active in newborns, and produces poo when something goes in the top end.

Then this reflex matures and becomes less 'hair trigger'.

[Dorisdolalee]

Ok perhaps I'll check with midwife too. Anecdotally it doesn't seem that 'un normal' but it felt like the baby was struggling a bit too. Though of course I have no idea really as there's a lot of squirming and grunting which may or may not be connected. The baby often has hiccups too...
Thanks again for all the advice.

[tiktok]

Yes, all babies, especially new ones, do a whole load of squirming and grunting and hiccuping :)

It's not indicative of anything wrong or even uncomfortable.

[elongatedbuttocks]

Babies that are exclusively breastfed can go up to two weeks between poops. Poops are frequent when they are tiny and then they often get less frequent as they get older.