Newborn struggling to poo

[JetSetWilly]

Hi wondering if anybody has any ideas how I can help my dd? She is four weeks old and exclusively breast fed but is really struggling to poo. She always does eventually poo but she is really struggling and crying trying to. Can newborns have constipation? Should I be looking to change my diet? She was really bad last night and is still struggling now

I try to move her legs etc. And comfort her but this didnt work last night. I'm feeding her now and she is not in pain and is passing wind. She feeds well although takes alot of air down and is gaining weight well.

I will call health visitor today but she's never given great advice tbh. Thanks in advance

You could try baby massage. There is some info and a free guide here. Get some ordinary olive oil and a nice warm room and have fun, its very relaxing for both of you.

Thanks for responding tandem i really appreciate it dd is in so much pain. i did have a think about baby madsage and my friend is enquiring about a local class for our babies but using that guide I can start today

Dd also has a cold is very snuffly I don't imagine this helps at all

My little boy was terribly constipated when a baby so Cons Paediatrician advised me to give him some water (cool boiled water). I think I gave him upto an ounce a day and it made a massive difference. They stipulated to definitely not replace any milk with water, still give the usual amount but give water as well as.

It really did the trick, then when he was older and I weaned him it made a massive difference also, lots of fruit etc.

When DD poos is it nice and soft (like mustard)? If it is soft its not likely to be constipation. Have you considered colic?

highly unlikely to be constipation if she is exclusively breastfed

breastfed babies don't need to poo as much as there is little waste product from the milk

DS2 used to go a couple of weeks without pooing (19 days was the record)

you can get glycerin suppositories for babies if you really want to help things along?

Hi all thanks for all your replies. I called the health visitor and she suggested boiled water and if that doesn't work an ounce of orange juice diluted with four ounces water . Won't be doing that! It's not a one off problem anyway it's every time she goes.

Nothing else really points to constipation in our sense of the word, she goes nearly every day and it's soft it just seems painful for her to get out

Does this mean it falls under that horrible old catch all term colic?? argh

I got the orange juice advice too.