Newborn constipation - tips

[Friedseasalt]

DD is a few weeks old and rather colicky in the evenings. She also seems to be really constipated every day, currently using SMA formula. Any tips or tricks welcome to try and help her little tummy. She was born a month early so also wondering if this could be playing a part.. just hate seeing her un comfortable!

Hey @Friedseasalt 👋, cow’s milk proteins are bigger than human milk proteins, so they can be tougher for babies to digest (you mentioned baby is on SMA, right?). You could try switching to a hydrolysed protein formula like Aptamil Comfort 🍼.
Also, check out some videos on how to pump baby’s legs to help with gas—kind of like they’re riding a little bike 🚲💨.

Years ago they would have advised water or some dilute prune juice or orange juice.
Up to you whether you follow that advice. It works.

Juice is no longer advised. Is your baby constipated ie stools are hard, or does the symptoms of infant dyschezia sound familiar, which is perfectly normal in young babies .

Plenty of baby massage on tummy
bicycle legs

I second this^ and also warm (obviously not hot) baths and skin to skin to help them relax as well. Juice is no longer advised due to how immature their systems are at that stage. If they're very uncomfortable speak to your hv or gp so they can advise next steps. I'd also ask for a tongue tie check as this can cause excess wind when feeding with bottles but it's more commonly identified with bf so just incase!