'Constipated' 5 week old

[dizzymama]

I feel so sorry for my dd, she's just 5 weeks old and I've just changed her onto Sma white as she is a very hungry little mite. It does seem to have given her a bit of constipation though. She doesn't seem to be in pain but every now and then she's obviously uncomfy. I've been feeding her as much cooled boiled water as a 5 week old will take (about 2 oz if I'm lucky!) but just wondered if anybody had any other ideas?

What about gently rotating her legs i.e. cycling her legs, or very gently massaging her tummy and it will have to be gentle as she is only 5 weeks old. Another tip pop a bit of vaseline on her bottom as it might be less painful when she does go. Also plenty of warm baths to relax the muscles.

did you bf before ?

My DD used to have this problem a lot when she was formula fed. Have you tried putting just a teeny weeny bit of orange juice in the water she is drinking? Thats what I used to do.

Or bathe her bum with a bit of warm water. That used to do the trick too.

HTH.

x

The massage is a good one Poppy101. We did it in baby massage class. For got about that.

I found that it always works, but my little one is very regular. I also kept up expressing as well as formula feeding and bf. Little one did get very uncomfortable even if it waited a day, so the massage was a good one to work. Caution to everyone, be careful to do this on the tummy.

I managed to bf for about 24 hours before pain became unbearable (had c section) feel like a very bad Mummy and as if I've inflicted this on dd. Great ideas though, I'll definitely give them a try.

Don't worry I had a c-section as well, if you have tried, don't worry. How long has your little one waited to go?

dizzymama - had this problem with DS1. CAT me if you want more info on how we got round it.

She hasn't waited that long really, less than 24 hours but she's normally a two dirty nappy a day baby! I think I'm just concerned because she is uncomfy.

Don't worry too much, try the tips that are mentioned and she should go soon. Just try and help her out by making her comfy.

Thanks Poppy, advice makes me feel like less of a bad Mummy

No problem, I'm glad to offer some advice.

dm, my 12 wk old had this yesterday and we were advised by the health visitor to give diluted prune juice in between feeds (1 tspn in 1 oz cooled, boiled water). It worked like a dream - can you see what your hv can suggest?

I too did the big guilt trip - it isnt productive so try not to dwell on it. You sound like a caring and capable mum whether you bf or not

my HV told me that sma constipates in her opinion and she recommended farleys (well not exaclty as she's not allowed to recommend a brand but in a round about way).

Ds was always constipated, cow and gate was the worst offender, farleys was Ok, Aptamil was heaven*

*The study above only cover my DS and my very unclinical observations, however a pregnant peaditriacian also told me four things:

-"Cow and Gate is the worst formula in the market, it makes babies constipated."

• "SMA is slightly better but tastes horribly"

• "Farleys is OK"

and

• "Don't quote me on this!"

However I understand that every baby is different and I know mothers who really have C&G as their firm favourite, so I guess it depends on the baby.

I'm sorry to say this but, it is NOT recommended for babies to have any amount of citric juice in their first months (allergen)

Although I breastfed ds2 he only dirtied his nappy every 4 or 5 days when he was tiny. Even now he's 4 months old it's only every 2 days if we're lucky. Did seem to make him a little uncomfortable at times but he's thriving and just goes to show its not only formula fed babies who go for long periods without dirtying nappies.

I only managed to breastfeed ds1 for 2 weeks due to pain (cracked and bleeding nipples - ouch). Like you I felt really guilty but babies are small for such a short time you really need to enjoy them and if breastfeeding is causing you so much pain then you have to be think about whats best for both of you.

Have responded to your CAT dizzy.

Thanks everyone (especially for kind comments about not being a bad non bf Mummy!) will check with HV about some stuff and maybe try her on a different formula. Little tyke is sound asleep at the mo so it can't be bothering her that much. I'm going to check mail now dejags, thanks in advance - what would I do without Mumsnetters?!

my 8 month old boy has had problems with constipation for over a month been to docs etc and trying to get lots more fluid into him getting there but still not brill. Was advised by a nutritionalist to try chammomilla anyone tried? do you think it worked? is it safe? i have been using it and it seems to keep his tummy settled as we no longer have the hour of crying in the middle of the night. He is also teething at the moment, none yet, so think it is supposed to help with that too?? any info?