Constipated newborn

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Original poster

m1r14m · 23/09/2021 21:00

@m1r14m

Just looking for advice on how to help my 9 day old daughter go to loo, she's been struggling so bad to do a poo, she eventually goes but she's screaming in pain when she needs, she's breastfed. I've tried the rubbing of the tummy, cycle legs, warm bath, boiled water with a little bit of sugar and I've started giving her infacol before feeds but nothing seems to help and I'm so sad seeing her in pain, she's screaming until she's blue in the face trying to go, any thing else I can try?? I've said to the midwife and they've just suggested to keep trying the above, thanks in advance

Bump

OP posts:

Bigoldmachine · 23/09/2021 21:06

Hello I don’t think I have any wisdom on how to help them go, but we did have this problem with my DS. He was breastfed and did all his meuconium poos up to about day 3 and then didn’t poo at all for almost 2 weeks…. It was so worrying. When he did go it was massive. The midwife told me that sometimes a warm bath, or putting nappy cream on their bum can help (something to do with the sensation of having it put on makes them want to go - might be a load of rubbish but of course I tried it!).

What I would say is

think about the root cause. With DS it turned out to be tongue tie. So he wasn’t transferring enough milk, and therefore was using up every last bit of it and not creating much waste.
drink loads and loads of water

I hope she goes soon. I know how much you are willing her to do a poo!

dementedpixie · 23/09/2021 21:10

Is it soft when it arrives?
Shouldn't really give water to a newborn; you'd be better with extra breastfeeding.
They do put a lot of effort into doing the toilet at that age as its something they haven't has to do before

Original poster

m1r14m · 23/09/2021 21:28

@Bigoldmachine

Hello I don’t think I have any wisdom on how to help them go, but we did have this problem with my DS. He was breastfed and did all his meuconium poos up to about day 3 and then didn’t poo at all for almost 2 weeks…. It was so worrying. When he did go it was massive. The midwife told me that sometimes a warm bath, or putting nappy cream on their bum can help (something to do with the sensation of having it put on makes them want to go - might be a load of rubbish but of course I tried it!).

What I would say is

think about the root cause. With DS it turned out to be tongue tie. So he wasn’t transferring enough milk, and therefore was using up every last bit of it and not creating much waste.
drink loads and loads of water

I hope she goes soon. I know how much you are willing her to do a poo!

It's so stressful when they're so upset😫 I have an older daughter who is now 4 who was like this also and nothing worked for her either but she was formula fed and it turned out she was allergic to cows milk so got a soya substitute, I'm wondering if it was the same with my newborn and she's getting that via my breast milk? Ahh it's all so confusing when they're so young, hopefully I'll get to the bottom of it soon! Thank you so much for your reply xx

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Original poster

m1r14m · 23/09/2021 21:32

@dementedpixie

Is it soft when it arrives? Shouldn't really give water to a newborn; you'd be better with extra breastfeeding. They do put a lot of effort into doing the toilet at that age as its something they haven't has to do before

When she went last night it was soft and there was a bit of harder poo in it which looked a bit green, the rest was the normal mustard yellow colour! The midwife said the water won't harm her and to try it, I've done the bath, the cycle legs, rubbing tummy etc but nothing seems to help her go. My elder daughter had the same issue but turned out she was allergic to cows milk and she was formula fed so we got prescription soya milk and laxido to help her go. I'm wondering if my newborn could possibly have a cows milk intolerance too and my diet could be affecting her? I'm seeing the midwife again tomorrow so I'm going to ask her if that's a possibility

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dementedpixie · 23/09/2021 21:36

Water can be dangerous in young babies; it affects their electrolyte levels. Milk is all they should be given. Doesnt sound like constipation; just a newborn putting lots of effort into doing the toilet.

grey12 · 23/09/2021 21:40

NEVER give water to a baby. It can cause kidney failure and ......

Is only considered constipation for babies after 10 days. No, I didn't make a mistake in writing it.

Poo-poos massage is your best trick in the bag! Works for a lot of weird crying spells. DH is the best at it! Them laying down, hold their legs and press on their tummies and move around and do bicycle, and play a bit. You can press hard, honestly. Good luck!!

AliceMcK · 23/09/2021 21:47

Agree don’t give water to such a young baby even boiled.

My very old school gp said add a bit of brown sugar in their milk. Also if you need to give a helping hand then do it, literally! I had to stick my finger up 2 of my DDs bums to help pull it out. I used my little finger and made sure my nails were cut right down. You can put gloves on if need be. Eventually it gets better but I fully understand how horrible it is when they are like this, all 3 of mine had problems x

PeterPomegranate · 23/09/2021 21:48

I was told with newborn babies don’t pay attention to the effort that seems to be going into doing a poo. Look at what comes out. If it’s soft not hard they’re not constipated. And as above breast fed babies can go a loooong time without doing a poo.

I understand the worry. You might want to talk to your HV.

grey12 · 24/09/2021 07:14

Instead of the finger my mum does the thermometer with lots of vaseline. If you stimulate the anus with it, it can also help. Also the reason why it may happen that you're cleaning your baby's bumbum and they SPRAY out more poop

Original poster

m1r14m · 25/09/2021 10:43

@PeterPomegranate

I was told with newborn babies don’t pay attention to the effort that seems to be going into doing a poo. Look at what comes out. If it’s soft not hard they’re not constipated. And as above breast fed babies can go a loooong time without doing a poo.

I understand the worry. You might want to talk to your HV.

I've spoken to HV and midwife and I've to go dairy free for a week to see if she has the same allergy as my other daughter as this is how it started with her too, then we're taking it from there

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Somerandomgirl · 26/09/2021 15:43

Grape water always helped here...poo instantly... but dont know if u can give to newborn...

Original poster

m1r14m · 26/09/2021 15:51

@Somerandomgirl

Grape water always helped here...poo instantly... but dont know if u can give to newborn...

I had a look at that but can only give it to 1 month up x

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123456kent · 30/09/2021 22:11

Bio gaia drops got my newborn pooing when she hadn’t pooed naturally for weeks. Was recommended by a gastronpaediatric. She pooed every day while I gave those to her

Original poster

m1r14m · 30/09/2021 22:44

@123456kent

Bio gaia drops got my newborn pooing when she hadn’t pooed naturally for weeks. Was recommended by a gastronpaediatric. She pooed every day while I gave those to her

Oh amazing thank you, I'll give this a try

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