Newborn crying/ screaming when passing wind and pooping

[Tigerfeet123]

Hi, I wonder if anyone can help. This is my first baby and he is just over 3 weeks. He didn't have any issues pooing or passing wind but since he got constipation (I had to get him into formula from BF as I was on antibiotics) he has had issues every since. It took him 5 days to start pooing properly from the rabbit poo he had while constipated and it's been 2 days since of lovely poos. Since then though, he has started crying everytime he has been fed and needs to poop/ pass wind. It wakes him up and cries and screams until the feeling passes then goes back to sleep for a few minutes and then cries again.

I have tried infacol but that's not working. He burps fine but an hour or so after feeding, he starts up and looks in pain and the on/ off crying can last for ages. Yesterday evening he cried for 2 hours just cos he was trying to poo/ pass wind.

I know he isn't used to pooping as he didn't need to do that in the womb but he was absolutely fine until the last few days.

Help??!!!

My son was like this for the first few months. I think it's partly due to their little tubes being so small etc. Try tummy massage (Google for how to or ask your HV) and warm baths. Also, cycling his legs gently should help. Is he BF or FF? It's awful seeing them in discomfort. It did eventually get better for us but was a difficult time. He had bad colic too. I was never sure whether that was connected to the poo issue or not.

I think it's probably just his system adjusting to the formula combined with his digestive system maturing.

I am a little surprised that you were told you had to stop breastfeeding, as nearly all antibiotics are ok to continue bfeeding with.

wj.pdf

Oops, link fail.

www.breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk/dibm/antibiotics_and_Breastfeeding_oct_2013- wj.pdf

Doesn't seem to want to turn into a proper link...

What a pity you were given that advice and now find yourself in this situation with your little one constipated and uncomfortable on formula. Most medications are compatible with breastfeeding and if one isn't then another can almost always be found. Did you by any chance keep your milk supply going with pumping? If you were interested in relactation it is not too late (offer breast to baby often, skin to skin and start pumping). Breastmilk has a laxative effect and is much easier on the digestive system even if it is only partial breastmilk.

Tiger, sorry to read your story. Are you in the uk? It would be pretty unusual for someone to be told to stop bf cos of antibiotics. You can restart bf if this is what you would prefer. Perhaps call a bf helpline and discuss it?