Bowel movements for bf baby/ advice re cranial osteopath

[Mammy2myboy]

Hi guys...

My baby was 7 weeks on Monday and has been exclusively bf with the occasional top up. (We were in hospital-Milk supply dropped-needed top up...) however, for the last 10 days he's been having a ff at 10.30pm and on Sunday he didn't have a bowel movement and was a grump all day. Monday he did 3 outstanding nappies - one required a change of clothes! And then yesterday he didn't have a bowel movement. He was so grumpy yesterday and has also been miserable all morning. I'm not sure whether it's the formula feed... however I am aware that some babies don't poo every day but he was a baby who was pooing 3-4 times a day. One of the reasons he was in hospital was because he had a hernia and on the day that this happened he didn't have a poo and was straining for most of the day.. I think this is probably worrying me too. I just hate him being so miserable. He was a really grumpy baby before he was taken into hospital and it became clear that this was before there were several health issues he was battling. When we got home we had a few days of him being totally different and happy but now we seem to be back to being unhappy :( any advice?

I've also thought about having a session with a cranial osteopath... my husband thinks I'm nuts! I just want to try every holistic approach to help him feel better. Does anyone have any experience of using one?

[EveryoneTalkAboutPopMusic]

I don't have any experience of cranial osteopathy unfortunately but I didn't want yiu to go unanswered.

At 7 weeks all could be completely normal. Things that can help are sticking him in a sling ( the upright position seems to help some babies). Leaving him on the change mat without his nappy on for a little bit (the kicking about can help), a bath or tummy massage, there are some videos on YouTube for this.

If he gets any other symptoms, like mucus in his poo or tummy swelling or wheeziness, cone back and let us know

[abc12345]

I had a really positive experience with cranial oestopathy. I would recommend it

Also I would recommend giving up dairy for a week and seeing if he's happier (for my son it was a dairy intolerance)

[TheSnorkMaidenReturns]

There is absolutely no evidence that cranial osteopathy for babies does anything other than empty your wallet. It's cynically marketed at new parents like you who are tired and worried about your baby and feel you 'should try everything'.

I can't comment on your baby's bowel movements. They could be normal, or there could be an issue you need some help with. I'd talk to your HV, or maybe your practice nurse?

[tiktok]

Yes, I agree, talk to your Hv.

All these symptoms are possibly ok, or minor ones your baby will grow out of. Or maybe they can be treated. Or maybe they are formula related.

No point in cutting out dairy in your diet if he has formula of course - but do speak to an Hv and weigh up your options.

Cranial osteopathy has no evidence base at all, and the small number of studies that have been done show no effect. Any positive effect is, on the evidence we have so far, down to chance.

[Orangebird69]

I took my ds to a cranial osteopath when he was about 4/5 weeks old for his colic. Regardless of the evidence (or lack of), it had an effect. It wasn't a cure at all but after each session (we did two) it really eased his symptoms (and helped my screaming nipples/a bit more sleep for us both) for about 36 hours afterwards. Worth every penny in my anecdotal experience.