My baby has a bad tummy

[Jessicawi]

Hi guys, I am just looking for a bit of advice really I'm a first time mum and my baby really struggles with his tummy so the thing is he is pooing everyday but with a real struggle his face goes red and he's really really straining and it takes a while for him to actually poo but when he does poo it is soft it's not hard so I've been told he's not constipated I've spoke to a few professionals and they just said it's normal so I wanted to ask you guys if this is normal and what I can do really to help him be less uncomfortable I just feel really bad for him and want to help him as much as I can.

He may just be getting used to pooing - its all new for them! Was normal for my little one. Still is sometimes. He is 7 weeks

Some things I tried to help my little one were
Lift his legs to his tummy, hold for 10 seconds and release. Do a few times

Softly rub his tummy when he is straining

Do bicycles with with his legs

Put him over my shoulder like im burping him And rub his back

They helped for my little one. Worth a try for you x

Oh and also distracting him helped. I would just hold him and talk nonsense. A lot of the time he would go then

Yes that's what I was told his body may just be getting used to it, he is only 6 weeks I just worry it's something I'm doing I feel really awful like I seen some things about the prep machine so I no longer use that as apparently that can cause discomfort I also worry it's because he eats so much he's a very chunky little man but he takes it very well he's never sick, he can get quite uncomfortable his legs to his chest and his face goes so red and he's just strains so so much I just want to help him it's ever since I have put him on formula when he was around 2/3 weeks old ever since then that's when he has started to struggle I always regret now putting him on formula thank you so much for your advice xx

Infant dyschezia, completely normal.
aboutkidsgi.org/lower-gi/childhood-defecation-disorders/infant-dyschezia/

Ah yes - I'm a FTM and do the same. One thing I've realised is don't listen to everything everyone tries to tell you is normal. You will get to know your baby and what is normal and what isn't. People on here really have helped me massively realising that. I worry about everything. Absolutely everything. Is he eating enough, is he eating too much/ sleeping enough sleeping too much. Its scary. In time I'm sure we will relax more.

It does sound like he is just getting used to things. Give those a try and see how he goes. May help, may not.

But if you are worried talk to the GP or HV again to put your mind at rest x

Red face and straining in babies doesnt mean he's uncomfortable. He's trying to work out how to simultaneously relax some muscles and tense others in order to poop - if you think about it, doing a poo is a super complex function involving lots of different parts of the body! He's just figuring it out, he isn't hurting.

Yes I'm exactly the same I worry about everything I always feel like I'm doing it wrong I always worry about his feeds because I'm so scared to overfeed him but he's just such a hungry baby and I've always been told to feed on demand I just hope it's not that giving him a bad tummy and I was at doctors with him yesterday and they seen him and checked him over and told me not to worry about it too much but I just can't help it but my hv is coming tomorrow so I'm definitely going to mention it again thank you so much I'll definitely be trying those things xx

Thank you this has definitely made me feel better I just don't want him to be unhappy.

Thank you I think I just worry to much

Totally normal to worry - you just love your baby and want to make sure he's happy/well and comfortable. It's madness and confusing especially when it's all so new

You're doing a great job - never be afraid to ask advice/check things with people x

I'm EBF and my baby does exactly same thing, and it didn't started straight away for him neither. He strains and goes red and sometimes even has a short cry like sound out of frustration I imagine, but as pp said, they're just trying to learn that new skill:) doing bicycles regularly helps my DS.

Thank you so much I really appreciate it you have really helped settle my mind xx

Thank you I felt awful for not continuing breastfeeding as I thought it was the formula upsetting his tummy but I'm glad to know its all completely normal x