Formula feeding and Constipation

[pilipala29]

My 10 day old is coming along well but hasn't filled his nappy for 48 hours. He seems uncomfortable and keeps bringing up his legs - he's bringing up wind easily. So I'm assuming he's constipated. Any ideas on what I can do to help him?

I forgot to say that he is formula fed - 3/4oz every 4 ish hours.

My DS was ff and he didn't poo every day, maybe every 3 or 4 days.
Have also heard from friends' experience that SMA can be quite constipating.

Yes SMA was constipating for my first son so changed to Aptamil which helped a lot. Started this one off on Aptamil and his poos were runny - no problem getting them out!

There are things you can do but as he is so young I'd check with a medical professional before giving him water or anything. Bicycling his legs is supposed to help. There is also the option to switch to one of the comfort formulas, but again I think that is supposed to be on the advice of a professional.

You shouldn't change to a comfort formula unless on the advice of a health professional, as cobweb said. Gentle massage may help. But I wouldn't worry too much - 10 days is soooo young and as far as I remember, DD's poos were all over the place at the start and she had wind, before settling into a routine (as it were). But maybe ask your Health Visitor next time you see her/him. Hope he's a bit more comfortable soon.

does he seem upset about it or quite content as feeding well? if so may just be the way you baby is, when my DS got constipated i use to put half an oz of water extra in each feed and he now does 2-3 a day and a lot happier, comfort milk is an option, i had to put ds on that for a while could give your HV a call for some advice, but your mum you know best trust your own insticts, i changed ds to comfort without speaking to hv as i knew as soon as i spoke to her she would say give it a try, funnily enough got ds weighed the next week and said i changed his milk and she said anythings worth a try for a happy baby, she also advised the extra water in feeds, but ds was a bit older then so i'd check that one out

Thank you so much for your help although I think I worried before I had to. There has since been action at 6am this morning and today he is a different baby and very content.