Baby had never done a poo by herself

[Caftee]

Just wondered if anyone’s experienced this before with a newborn.
I’m really concerned, my baby is 4 weeks old, passed meconium after birth but has never done a poo without help; had a suppository at 11 days old which produced some but had another suppository at 24 days and nothing came out.
Baby is breastfed but I have given a top up of formula here and there. No vomiting, no swollen tummy, tummy x-ray was ok, appears otherwise healthy but is only just at birth weight.
I know it’s normal for EBF babies of 6weeks+ to go without a bowel movement for a week or so but it’s highly unusual for newborns to have nothing at all so obviously worrying.
Anyone have experience of this?
Please note daughter has been seen by several doctors and we have had overnight stay in hospital but no answers and feel at a loss. Doctors ‘not worried’ as she seems otherwise healthy.

Ds had constipation and the doctors were really concerned. He had to have suppositories and brown sugar and water and weak orange juice - this was 20 years ago, I doubt the doctors from Kings recommend that anymore!

I’m concerned about that weight gain. Most babies regain birth weight by 2 weeks so to be only just at 4 weeks is surprising. Is she definitely getting enough? I imagine the doctors have looked at this though.

Have they ruled out Hirschprungs?

Sounds like my DD. She was slow to regain birthweight too. The paediatrician told us she wasn't pooing because there is very little waste from breast milk and she was getting only just enough to grow (slowly). We were put on a formula top up plan which did make her poo a bit more but what actually made the difference was getting her tongue tie cut. I got to about 10 weeks and then just didn't weigh her again because she was happy in herself and it just stressed me out. I weaned her off the top ups but basically until she was eating a decent amount of solids she didn't poo very frequently. The only thing that would make her go was sitting in a vibrating bouncy chair. I used to celebrate when she finally went! She's a happy, healthy (nearly) 2 year old now but still only likes to poo in the house - she'll hold it all day until we got home!

My first was like this. Did the first poo but then nothing for 16 days until a suppository in hospital. Had a biopsy but never found anything wrong. I had to insert a suppository every day until about 9 months then it just got better - no problems at all now at 9 years old.

You need an osteopath, they are miracle workers and will be able to fix baby. My daughter suffered terribly until 4 months when we went to see a cranial osteopath, they fixed her in one session xx

My DD had one poop between 5 days and 4 weeks old. At 4 weeks we went to the prolonged jaundice clinic where she had a glycerin suppository which worked, then her normal cycle was around every 7-10 days until she started on solids at 6 months. Now she goes at least once a day and I miss the good old days, even though I was convinced something was terribly wrong at the time.

I think the lack of poo isn't that concerning in its own but coupled with the slow weight gain I think you need some RL help.

Has LO been properly assessed to rule out tongue tie? As a PP has stated, this was the matter with her LO and it's fairly common and often missed by HCPs.

Is there a BFing Support Group locally that you could go to or could you call one of the BFing Helplines? You can do both though

Some resources that might help you as well are:

How might i increase baby's weight gain?

Is baby getting enough milk.

Getting a good latch.

And Feeding with Breast Compressions.

With some good support you should easily be able to turn this around

2 mums at my antenatal club had this. Went to an oestopath and they literally pooped on the table and were fine ever after!!

Thank you all so much, your messages have made me feel better and also given me a plan - I will get her tongue checked (she was checked at 10 days old for tongue tie but her jaw was so tight they couldn’t properly assess but said her tongue action was good so half assumed it was ok). I will give top ups a couple of times a day too just to help with the weight and try to pump (with 2 other children it’s a bit tricky!). I’ll look into seeing an oesteopath too.
They ruled out Hirschprungs because she passed meconium and hasn’t vomited but it’s still in the back of my mind as a possibility. Fingers crossed once feeding improves/I increase my supply we’ll have success with a bowel movement.
Thanks all