3 week old won’t poop!

[Sox0809]

My LG was having regular bowel movements (3-5 a day) up until a week and a half ago. After 3 days without a bowel movement and visible pain/discomfort, we called the GP who had no idea and referred us to hospital. The hospital gave her a suppository (stools were very loose), treating her for constipation but not any potential underlying issues. She gets hiccups 4 times a day, had a hard tummy, watery sick, a lot of wind which causes her pain. I called the GP again to see if it was silent reflux. Again they referred us to the hospital and she had another suppository given (again stools were loose).

She then managed on her own the following 2 days but it sounded like she had a bad tummy.

We are now on day 3 again of no bowel movement, lots of wind though. She is straining non stop and crying/screaming but nothing is coming out.

We’ve tried Vaseline around her bottom, bicycle legs, tummy massage, cooled boiled water, warm bath...but no success. She’s combi fed - breastfed 6+ times a day, formula (hipp organic ready made) 3-4 times a day. Can anyone help please? I can’t stand seeing her in pain but am reluctant to take her back for another suppository after having read that this could lead to her depending on it for future bowel movements.

Thanks

[SeaToSki]

At 3 weeks old this needs elevating to a consultant and a scan of the bowels or something similar. Can you get a paeds referral urgently?

[doctorhamster]

It's perfectly normal for breastfed babies to go days without pooing. I think it's more likely to be a problem with wind than constipation.

[FourPlasticRings]

Could you drop the formula and see if that helps at all? Breastmilk is a natural laxative so increasing that may help. Might also help if she has cow's milk protein allergy (depending on how much dairy is in your diet).

[Sox0809]

Thanks all. I’m working on an appointment with a paediatrician, hopefully my GP can sort this asap.

I did wonder whether she could have CMPA - I guess if she does then that could also explain the amount of wind she has.

If only there was a manual!

[ItWorriesMeThisKindofThing]

@doctorhamster it’s really not normal for any newborn, please don’t repeat this misinformation as it could be dangerous if a parent believes it.

I would try changing the formula to see if it helps and slowly reduce it if possible and follow up on the paed referral

[LolaLollypop]

My son didn’t poo for 1-2 weeks when he was exclusively breastfed. He has just started solids and poos every day now. However, I also suspect he has CMPA (awaiting referral for tests). As a newborn he used to fart ALL the time and suffered quite badly with colic. We only found out he was intolerant to dairy when we tried him with formula (HIPP Organic) and he vomited each time. Does this sound like your LO OP?
I’d definitely take her for further tests to see if she is allergic to anything she’s getting.

[LolaLollypop]

Just to also add - the farts were very smelly. Like sulphur. Not the sort of smell you’d expect to come out of a tiny baby! They did eventually settle down and he seemed to get on with breastfeeding although he’s always been a fussy/aggressive feeder, lots of bobbing up and down, back arching etc. Now I’m wondering if CMPA has caused all this.
Hope you get it sorted OP.