4 month old DD (EBF) has had a difficult relationship with poo since the initial newborn one-in-one-out period. She sometimes has phases where she will not go for days on end, which I know can be normal at her age, but at these times she gets distressed when she farts.
I spoke to the HV about this, and she said that DD just doesn't like to let go.
Last week, DD didn't poo for 8 days. By the end of that time, she was quite distressed (disturbed sleep, sudden crying fits). When she finally went, the poo was soft and yellowish and quite copious. She suddenly started sleeping better and was much chirpier. However, that was 7 days ago and we again have no poo. Today she has been very difficult and it's clear that she's distressed - her belly is really sticking out and this evening she hasn't stayed asleep for more than 15 mins.
We've tried many tricks to try to help her move things along - bicycling her legs, pushing her legs up to her abdomen, tummy massage, putting her in positions she'd find it easier to go when it seems she's trying to do something. I called the HV this morning and she suggested we could try giving her cool boiled water, although it seems that DD's problem is not that the poo is too hard. We tried that today but she wasn't keen on drinking much water.
Does anyone have any tips on how we can help her to feel more comfortable? I know it's not necessarily a serious health issue (HV told me some babies can go up to 10 days without pooing) but she's obviously uncomfortable so we'd like to do something if we can.