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7 week old struggling to poo

4 replies

DDDN · 03/01/2022 03:00

Hi everyone,

I am so desperate for some advice! So I have a 7 week old baby who seems unable to do a poo? She has been breastfed and given one bottle of formula a day since she was born and was having a bowel movement 2-3 times a day without any issues. For a little over a week now, she has stopped going daily and becomes extremely restless on the third day. On the third day, she is restless the whole day, and when evening comes she screams in pain until I give her a suppository and she finally goes. But its loose and yellow - very normal poo. I just cannot figure out why she has suddenly become this way? She has been poorly for the past 3 weeks but this bowel issue has only been happening for a week. I know that it is normal for babies to grunt, go red, struggle a little. But she literally screams - almost as if she wants to release it but it wont. Me and my husband massage, cycle her legs everyday. I drink plenty of water, fresh foods etc. I do have coffee with milk everyday but Ive done this right from when she was born. She passes gas through out the day quite easily. My instincts tell me that if she could - she would go a couple of times a day but something is preventing her. I just cannot understand if it is physical, diet, constipation, sudden aversion….If it was physical then the suppository would not work so easily right? She is ok with the insertion but starts crying as soon as the poo starts coming out. As soon as she finishes, the relief on her face is clear and goes to sleep right away. Im so confused…

Has anyone gone through this?

Any information is welcome!

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BFPDec21 · 03/01/2022 03:10

My first was like this, turned out she had a soy allergy and CMPA. Cutting that stuff out myself helped whilst breastfeeding her. Coffee and chocolate can also upset babies tummies when breastfeeding too so it's something to test out.

You are doing the right thing with cycling the legs, etc. Could you speak to your GP? It sounds like at least for now she needs some help which the GP can prescribe to get her bowls moving if need be and investigate this.

Try and take a video of her screaming in pain so you can show the GP and any poo pics from after she's finally been able to go as they may want to see it.

I hope it gets better for your LO.

Mangomammy · 04/01/2022 21:24

Has a doctor prescribed a suppository for your little one?

At that age it’s important babies don’t get used to “help” they can find it more difficult to go themselves in the long run.

It’s also not unusual for breastfed babies to only have a BM once a week.

Speak to your health visitor or GP if you’re worried. I agree with PP about recoding crying and photo of the BM.

Good luck!

DDDN · 19/03/2022 14:10

Hi,

Thanks for everyone helpful information. I just wanted to update in case anyone had this same issue.

My daughter is 4.5 months now and back to pooing 2-3 times a day. Has been since about 12 weeks. It was no allergy to breast milk or formula. It was a mix of undeveloped digestive system/silent reflux/growth spurt.

I went to the GP who said this was actually a form of constipation - in frequent pooing. He said it is ok to use a suppository every 2-3 days for the next 2 months and see if she naturally gets better… So, that is what I did so she was more comfortable. Gradually, I noticed she got started pooing by herself again and stopped…

Her only remaining issues are spitting up and burping. She still wakes from needing to burp. Passing gas has improved since pooing more often.

It really is a waiting game.

Hope this helps!

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Daisy155 · 10/10/2023 09:51

Thank you

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