Is my newborn constipated? Please help

[newmum234]

My three week old is formula fed (Aptamil), feeding well and is producing at least six wet nappies a day. He only poops once a day or once every other day, which the midwife said is normal for his age. The last time he did a poo was 10am yesterday (Wednesday) but he has been passing gas today.

However, I’m worried as tonight he woke just 1.5 hours after his last feed and was crying and making what sounded like straining noises (though I may be wrong). When I picked him up he was stretching his legs right out and arching his back while still crying.

He still wouldn’t settle so after a while DH put him in the sling and he fell fast asleep on DH for several hours. We’ve now put him in his cot and he’s still asleep, but is due another feed soon.

Do you think he could be constipated and is there any way of knowing for sure?! At what point should I contact the midwife or GP? I’m so worried that he’s in some sort of discomfort...

I would say if he hasn’t pooped after 48 hours that’s the point to contact someone. Have you tried giving his stomach a rub (must be in a clockwise direction).

I did try that earlier but only for a couple of minutes, so it probably wasn’t long enough. I could try again after his next feed?

Whenever our dd gets a bit blocked up I always find the beat way to clear it is with a stomach massage in the bath. The warm water helps relax things.

They don't always understand at this age that to poo you need to create pressure while relaxing at the same time. So they do a lot of ineffective straining with no result until they work out how to synchronise the two reflexes. You can just try whatever you would usually do to help her relax during these times. When the poo finally appears if it's soft, it's almost definitely this. If the poo is hard, that's constipation and you should ask your health visitor for advice.

Oh and the crying while straining is thought to be from the effort they're expending, as it's not painful for them, just very frustrating.

My babh is 3 weeks old and also poops every other day (sometimes once a day ' there's no pattern yet).

Usually when she is trying to sleep she grunts and strains for what feels like an age! She will pass some gas and iy doesn't wake her.

Usually when she stretches out and arches she has wind. I can spend 10000hrs winding her, but more often than not with mine, she needs to lie down for 10 mins and it starts to rise. I then wind again and it can remedy it.

Could it be left over wind? I also second the warm bath and belly rub.

Obviously I'm new to this so hopefully some experienced mums can help- but it might be comforting to know a baby same age is exactly the same 😊

@Jessikka thanks! I didn’t know about the lying down to get the wind to rise.

Also, good news - baby did a massive poo at 5am this morning...!