EBF constipated newborn

[wokeupwithasmile]

Hi all,

I am after a bit of advice. Ds2 is not even three weeks old and for the past three days has been having lots of pains due to gas and passing stools. Ds1 did not really have such a problem, only once or twice and for half a day, so I am a bit unprepared for this.

I know it is gas because once he passes it he seems to feel better, stops grunting, and often falls (back) asleep. I have tried infacol and it might be working, so I will continue using it. I have also bought Dentinox and know of Colief, if I see that infacol does not work I will move on to the others.

I also understand that most ebf babies do not get constipation, but I think mine is constipated, at least to some degree. From loose stools that soaked through into the nappy we have passed to harder stools. Not pellets/balls, but certainly more consistent and harder. The frequency has also changed, though I understand that less bowel movements does not equal problems in ebfs. I'd say it is as consistent as my 2-year-old's looser stools, which are still pretty solid, if you see what I mean.

My question is. Why do ebf babies get constipation? Or have you had a similar experience to mine?
I have searched and searched, but I can't find anything about this. All the threads/websites say that they do not get constipated or that it happens when they start solids.
He does not seem to have any other symptom, so I'd rather not take him to the doctor at this stage.

Thank you!

Sorry you are worried about this. It's difficult to tell from your post what's up. I can't work out what your baby's poo is like :) Hard or soft?

Give your Hv a call in the morning. Hope you find reassurance.

Sorry Georgia, have reported your post. There are other boards for this. This board is for mothers to seek support for their own situations.

OMG....you have spammed the boards, Georgia :( :( :( :(

When did your baby pass meconium? Was it delayed at all?

Is the stool old black and greasy or simply more formed?

You do need to talk to your GP about it and get a sense ofwhether this is actually constipation or a baby who is uncomfortable. Actual constipation in an EBF baby needs immediate assessment.

I would speak either to your dr or a health visitor. How have your ds2's poo's been up til now. I am wary now of bf babies seeming constipated as my ds2 passed meconium and then did a couple of small poos, but nothing like ds1 used to do (which were the runny mustard yellow ones that went everywhere). His tummy looked very big and I kept telling the midwives that he hadn't pooed, they said that was normal for a bf baby. When ds2 was 20 days old he was admitted to hospital with a bowel disorder which was why he wasn't pooing.

So I don't want to worry you, but it is worth talking to someone about. Although I should add that ds2 didn't ever seem to be in pain it was the size of his tummy and the fact you cuold see his veins which worried me.

Have you tried laying your ds on the floor and cycling his legs, I have no idea why that works, but we were told to do it with ds2 one his condition was treated. Also sometimes a warm bath seems to help them go - again I have no idea why but it really does seem to.

Dear All,

Thanks a lot for all your help. DS2 passed meconium 'happily' and went through all the 'poo stages'. Even now it is mustardy with the little bits. The only thing is that it is 15% harder than four days ago, when it was just liquid. When I wrote above he had had one poo that looked too solid even though it was still smeared on the nappy and not in any pellet shape (sorry if TMI!).
I am keeping a very close eye on him, but it seems to be getting better by the day. He pooed three times since I wrote the message, and most of the other nappies had little yellow marks too. Infacol also seems to be helping with the gas, which seems to be his main source of grief. I have tried cycling his legs and giving him a bath, but burping him and massages seem to have more effect.

Thank you again, I will certainly call the midwife or hv if it looks like it goes back to being more solid than now.

I think from your further description, it's all normal. The liquid poo that just seeps into the nappy is normal, too, and the more 'smeary' sort that is not hard but is more like pate :) is also normal :) Good idea to check with your HV, though.

Actually, would you mind looking at the poo picture below (I am really sorry to be doing this!!!) and tell me what you think? I will call the hv tomorrow (will try later too, but I suppose I won't be able to send her a picture), but here is the last effort, and it looks a touch harder than the one he did during the day, so your experience would be appreciated!!
Thank you!!

I am so sorry for doing this!! Please forgive me for posting poo pictures on the internet!

!!!!! Don't worry!!!

Just to say, I am a mother and a breastfeeding counsellor, not an HV or other HCP, but that poo looks normal to me :)

It looks to me that you have got nappies with the sort of lining that slurps the liquid into the middle of the nappy, leaving the solider parts behind....some nappies do this. I wonder if you have changed your nappies recently and this is what makes it look different?

Looks normal to me, too.

Tiktok, yes, I 'know' who you are and I most certainly find reassurance in your opinion. Your advice is always sensible and to the point, and yes, we did indeed change his nappies, so that might explain why I saw a change.

WetFish thanks a lot, I really appreciate!