Poo problems in two week old

[Jigglypuffler]

My DD is two weeks old is having issues passing stools. She didn't pass her first poo as quickly as expected (over 24 hours), she did pass it eventually and then they carried on as normal. But she has been struggling increasingly over the last few days, she is passing at least one per day but the frequency has dropped and she is straining a lot. I know this is normal up to a point but obviously it's horrible seeing her struggle. It is making her grunt and groan an awful lot, especially overnight, so we're doubly keen to try and help her so a) she's not uncomfortable and b) our sleep between her feeds isn't being so disrupted! I'm regularly cycling her legs and rubbing her tummy, and she's had a couple of warm baths but isn't yet at the stage where she's having them daily.

Does anyone have any tips of what might help? I don't feel like this is an issue for the health visitor or gp but could do with some suggestions.

In case it's relevant. She is bottle fed and was initially on premixed SMA, but now she's taking enough volume we've switched to powder using the perfect prep machine. She's having a bottle every 4 hours, her appetite hasn't dropped at all and she is taking the right volume for her weight.

This absolutely is an HV issue when baby is only 2 weeks old

@Harrysmummy246 do you think? Even though she is passing at least one per day?

My dd was the same, spoke to hv and they were not help at all as she was having a pop a day she basically said her body could just take time to get used to it. At this age it's really difficult as there isn't really anything they can recommend that you aren't already doing, the only other thing I can imagine a health visitor recommending is an oz of cool boiled water a day, but in a baby so young that really isn't recommended.

My son was exactly the same. I spoke to our health visitor who said it was normal and he wasn't constipated as he was still going roughly once a day.
He just seemed so uncomfortable tho so I switched his formula to Aptamil comfort and what a difference!
He's still doing a poo once a day but it's a lot easier for him.
Might be worth trying although I know they advise you not to switch formula so soon as their stomachs take a few weeks to settle but honestly I'm so glad we did!

DS was constipated because of reflux medication from about 5 weeks. The only suggestion was a very small amount of cooked boiled water each day but that's not necessarily a good idea. He was at least lightly constipated from 5 weeks to 6 months when we weaned and as far as we know it hasn't caused any issues. There's not a whole lot you can do IME.

Thanks @peboh my DH said about water but I didn't think it was recommended, as you say. Did it improve with your DD?

The grunting and straining is perfectly normal and nothing to worry about, as long as she is producing enough wet and dirty nappies, which it sounds like she is. They just have very immature digestive systems at this age and it takes them a while to settle down. Please speak to your health visitor if you're worried though, that's what they're for! And please don't give your baby water!

@Ferrylass she's been on the same brand and stage of milk but we did switch to the powder so I'm thinking she needs some time to adjust. But if it doesn't improve and I do phone the HV then I'll mention that. Thank you for replying.

Ooh six months @Mylittlesandwich?! Poor thing. Although good it resolved itself. It seems to bother her more at night so I hope we can resolve it before then! 😬

@Nowisthemonthofmaying she is producing plenty of wet nappies and at least one stool per day. She was a little bit early (born 37+2) so whether that's a factor I don't know. If there's no improvement then I think I'll phone the HV tomorrow. I certainly won't give water unless a professional advises it.

I'm sure you will. His did improve as he got older and was taking in more milk.

My 4 week old has only been a once or twice a week pooer since day 2, HV and GP aren't concerned as long as they're soft when they do come out and their stomach isn't hard and bloated. They recommend swapping between premixed and powder formula as premixed can get things going a bit easier

A 2 week old baby has an incredible sensitive digestive system that is by no means fully developed. If you think about it, your DDs digestive system has only been functioning in the outside world for 14 days.

My DD had a lot of issues with trapped wind and constipation right up to being about 9 months old. No amount of leg cycling and burping etc could help. I understand how it can be upsetting but right now your DD is getting used to absolutely everything about the world- including her body parts

My HV and doctor said that because there was plenty of wet nappies and she was pooping pretty frequently they weren't concerned.

One poop a day and a lack of diarrhoea or constipation seems pretty regular and doesn't strike me as a problem such as a lactose intolerance etc.

I'd keep an eye on things as DD grows. I used to do a diary. That might help you too.
If she begins to get constipated, runs, or stops feeding though you need to call the doc.

Your HV will definitely be able to offer advice, but I was told it was perfectly normal for newborns not to poo every day. My nearly 8 week old still doesn't go everyday (about every day and a half), but have always been told as long as there are plenty of wet nappies and the stools aren't hard when he does go it's fine.

The grunting is normal too. I read that it takes time for babies to learn how to relax their anus but tense their stomach muscles which is the requirement to poo. I believe most of their digestive issues start to calm down around the 3 month mark (I hope so, my little man drives me crazy with his grunting!).

DO NOT GIVE A BABY WATER!!!! it's really dangerous for the kidneys!!!

Do you breasfeed or bottle feed? Breastfeed would be more worrying...

Thanks everyone - that's all really reassuring.

DD is bottle fed @grey12

@Frankola we keep a feeding diary so we're going to start noting down her bowel movements as well.

One poo a day is pretty good going, both of mine went through a phase of only going every 3 or so days. They do make all sorts of noises as well. Without other issues, I wouldn't be concerned.

For a formula fed baby this is normal. Breast fed baby's go more often. You can try adding in the occasional pre made formula bottle as that does have a laxative effect on many baby's.
If they go once in 24 hours or at a regular time interval if longer they will not do anything.
Do not give water or dilute the formula down. ( Advice a GP recently told someone near me).
Try baby massage and anal massage and cycling the baby's legs for relief.

Also just ask you health visitor this sort of questions. They have a text service for these things!

Ours don't have a text service. The main concern with a young baby having water is that they will be too full of it to take in the milk then need. Definitely don't do it without discussing it with a medical professional (although my GP suggested I give a 7 week old watered down prune juice so...).

Feeling so reassured, thank you all for taking the time to reply! Just got to take the nighttime grunting on the chin now 😩😂