Constipation in 8 day old

[Rebecca2089]

Hi everyone,

Our 8 day old hasn't had a poo for two days and up until that point was regular.

Whilst in hospital we did give her SMA ready made bottles and this was for four days as we had to stay in to be checked for infections etc. When we got home we switched to Cow & Gate forumula as this is what we had brought.

In hindsight im thinking prehaps changing wasn't the best choice but has anyone else experienced this? If so, what helped.

We have tried cycling her legs, a bath, a little cool boiled water but no luck so far....

16-days... that was how long my bfeed dd went...
Sometimes it's just they are using all the feed to grow

Are you sure (sorry) that you're making up the bottles properly? I ask because a friend of mine's baby got very constipated and it turns out she wasn't putting enough water in.

Otherwise, is he distressed at all? I know with bf babies it's fine if they don't poo for a couple of days so long as they are happy - not sure if it's the same for ff?

NO it is not normal this young, or for FF babies to not poo for days

Speak to midwives asap- you should have a number for emergencies

Agree speak to the midwives. Babies under 4 weeks should poo daily

I second looking at how your making the formula up

My son was like this. We tried all manner of things inc pessaries prescribed by Gp. In the end we moved him to a different formula and that resolved the issue. I’d contact your hv and ask for some advice. I think his ‘record’ was 8 days. Worried me senseless but it all resolved itself and he is now fine on the bowel movement front as a 3 year old.

My dd was like this on sma, but a few days after using cow and gate she was fine. Would still get advice from midwife/health visitor though.

Hi Op, try giving a ready made bottle again. Not sure why but it helps Constipated formula fed babies to poo. Is baby well otherwise and weeing lots?

My dd didn't poo for 4 days. My midwife said if she went over 5 days to get her seen by the GP.

We had this when our twins were about 12 weeks. Prune juice in the bottles worked a treat. Your ds is prob too young though?

Oh and cow and gate comfort milk x

Both my babies have been like this, it's completely normal imo. My 7 week old has only just been today after not going for 4 days. I think they usually say that upto 4-5 is fine, but if you are concerned take lo to the gp, they will most likely give you some lactulose to soften stool if baby has become constipated but I wouldn't worry too much.

Your baby is very very newborn and should be pooing more than this especially if not breastfed.
I would speak to a GP or midwife and try and tiny amount of cool boiled water.

I should add that mine are both formula fed, they most definitely do not always poo daily. There's a bit of unnecessary scare mongering going on on this thread. Every baby is different, and this may well be normal for your baby.

Of course get him checked if you are concerned, but it honestly sounds fine.

There may be some misinformation here but I wouldn’t say scaremongering.
The advice for FF and BF babies here is very different. A BF baby can go days without pooping and that can be normal as the milk is made for human babies and easily digested etc. But a formula fed baby can become unwell without pooping. So please seek actual advice not MN advice OP.

namechange an eight day old formula fed baby should be pooing every day. To state this is not scaremongering

@isadora and @eatmycheese...as I have stated, I have had 2 ff babies, both of which didn't poo daily at 8 days, who are absolutely fine, and who hv, midwife and gp all said the same thing that 4-5 days for a ff baby is totally normal, as long as baby is otherwise happy, eating and weeing.

It is scaremongering to keep suggesting something isn't normal, when actually it is. My ff ds is only 7 weeks, therefore this is all very fresh to me. he was at the pediatricians only 2 weeks ago for his reflux in which we discussed his bowels as he often goes a good few days... and guess what...TOTALLY NORMAL.

@namechangemum100 as the info from the NHS says that up til 6 weeks a formula fed baby should be pooping daily, and this baby is 8 DAYS old, I would be seeking medical advice from someone who can see the baby.
After six weeks is different.
So I will continue to “scaremonger” if that’s what you call reading actual advice accurately and passing it on to concerned mothers.

Ok @isadora except the advice I received came directly from a pediatrician on multiple occasions relating to both my babies right from when they were newborn...anyway, op will make her own decision as to whether to seek medical advice, and if she is at all worried she should of course do so, but I will continue to state that if it isn't normal, then neither of my children are normal, my very healthy 16 month and 2 month old

We moved DD to HIPP formula and worked a treat.

Don't bother with Aptamil if he's on C&G as I've read they are made by the same manufacturer.

My baby is an every other day kind of baby but call hour health visitor for advice