newborn and poo! :-(

[natashaharry]

Hi

Does anyone have any experience or advice?

I am a little concerned as my newborn hasn't had a poo for 11 days. I have been to see the doctor and he wasn't that concerned. I am breastfeeding, my baby passed the black tar-like poo and has done 2 chicken-Korma but nothing for 11 days.

Natasha x

How is baby's weight? It is normal for older breastfed babies to go this long with no poo, but it's certainly concerning for a newborn. It can mean that there is an issue with feeding and that baby isn't getting enough milk, so I would certainly go back to see the doctor again.

DS2 was exactly the same and he seemed unhappy. I got exactly the same responses from my GP and from my health visitor that you have got (you're breastfeeding and it's normal) but I felt that this wasn't normal. Eventually I got an appmt with a paediatrician and he diagnosed anal stenosis. Basically the anus is too tight to pass poo. Please do ask your GP to test for this as apparently it is quite common. It is fairly easy to treat at this stage as well. HTH.

Is he/ she still having wet nappies (wee)? Any other signs of dehydration at all?

Hi

Harry is having plenty of wet nappies and no signs of dehydration. His weight is good and increasing. X

This happened to my ds and he did go eventually. My midwife recommended massaging around his bum with some nappy cream and moving his legs like he is cycling to try and get things moving. The GP also suggested giving him a little bit of cooled boiled water to try and ease the constipation. Hope it't not too explosive when it happens!

I would be concerned at this stage - it isn't normal for newborns not to poo. I'd ask for a second opinion too.

I would push for it to be checked out, however my dd often went 7 or 8 days without a poo from about 5 days old. She wasn't in discomfort and went on like that until about 10 weeks. It is now very random, sometimes once a day, sometimes every few days. So get advice but try not to worry too much.

My DD is 12 weeks and has always been like that, goes for a poo every 4-7 days, strains all the time, farts like a trooper. Been to the docs a few times, always say it's normal for EBF baby. I give gripe water & a little boiled water. Cycle his legs a few times a day. Whenever DD does go it's when she's sitting up and concentrates lol! Good luck