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Original poster

Constipated newborn, please help!

31 replies

MariaVT65 · 05/12/2023 20:37

Hi all

I have 2 week old baby girl who has been constipated for a week. She is formula fed (due to supply issues).

So far I’ve given her warm baths and done lots of tummy massage. These were helping initially but aren’t continuing to be as effective.

We’re also going to try giving a bit of boiled cooled water as the next step.

Had a brief chat with the HV who said to consider changing formula, but no idea what else to try first. We use Cow & Gate.

Does anyone have any advice please on what worked for you, or what formula to try (eg is Aptamil really that different?) and whether the constipation just settled after a week or 2?

I’m recovering from a section, exhausted with doing all the night feeds and it’s really upsetting seeing my daughter like this.

OP posts:
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justabigdisco · 05/12/2023 20:39

What do you mean when you say she’s constipated?
Congratulations by the way!

Original poster
MariaVT65 · 05/12/2023 20:41

justabigdisco · 05/12/2023 20:39

What do you mean when you say she’s constipated?
Congratulations by the way!

Thanks :)

Her poo is solid and she’s having a lot of trouble getting it out, really having to push and is really distressed in doing so.

OP posts:
Ostryga · 05/12/2023 20:41

Has she not passed a single stool in a week? If so with a 2 week old you need to be phoning 111 tonight and getting urgent medical attention.

2-3 days you need to see a dr. Don’t leave it any longer.

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Then you might like threads about these subjects:

0-3 months old Babies & sleep Breast & bottle feeding Families
irw · 05/12/2023 20:41

There are some useful Instagram videos about positioning and we were told to have our daughter lying flat and move her legs up (knees to stomach).

It's not much but it helped our gassy baby.

Sending lots of support and strength your way x

Original poster
MariaVT65 · 05/12/2023 20:43

Ostryga · 05/12/2023 20:41

Has she not passed a single stool in a week? If so with a 2 week old you need to be phoning 111 tonight and getting urgent medical attention.

2-3 days you need to see a dr. Don’t leave it any longer.

Ah thanks just to clarify that she is managing to go every day (except 1) but it’s really difficult and we’re only just managing it with lots of tummy massage and warm baths.

OP posts:
eeeex · 05/12/2023 20:45

When my little girl was constipated, my HV suggested I try giving her some of the ready made milk as they can be easier to digest and can help them go to the toilet.

carddino · 05/12/2023 20:48

If feeding cow and gate buy some pre-made bottles and use one a day.

Try and get the odd BF in as well.

Even if supply issue the odd one can help loosen her.

And I mix fed all mine due to supply.

But I would say use one small pre-made a day just now and you will see a difference.

justabigdisco · 05/12/2023 20:52

Straining when pooing is normal, it’s them learning what to do and their gut is getting used to drinking milk! Changing milks can make it worse not better and giving water isn’t recommended as can affect nutritional intake.

KnittedCardi · 05/12/2023 20:57

Gently bicycling their legs with a nappy off can help. We had to do this with DD's. So lie flat on back, nappy off, and ever so gently just push the legs towards the tummy. As a pp, it also helps with gas.

gogogogogogotime · 05/12/2023 21:07

Mine was constipated every time we used powder, at 2wks switch to the ready made bottles and see how she goes, Aptamil was better than C&G for mine, it's more expensive but not too bad when they're so young. You can store the milk bottle in the fridge once it's opened, we just heated as and when it was needed.

splothersdog · 05/12/2023 21:13

This is a lot of years ago now but I was advised by HV to add an extra oz of water to the bottle to dilute the formula slightly. Also switched to Aptimal.

Original poster
MariaVT65 · 05/12/2023 22:55

Thank you all

sorry just to clarify further:

-We are already using the pre-made bottles. Haven’t used any powder yet

-I don’t have any breastmilk supply at this point

-We have been instructed to minimise bicycle legs until her 6 week hip scan as she was transverse

OP posts:
Crumblecakes · 05/12/2023 22:57

We had that problem, but our baby was only going every 3 days. We were using Kendamil and then switched to the goats milk Kendamil which worked wonders. It’s quite pricey though £22 a tub

Superduper02 · 05/12/2023 23:24

Congratulations. When I weaned we went onto Aptamil but even that was a bit rich. We ended up using HIPP. It's much milder. Is she too young for gripe water? Also you will have some supply if you want to reactivate with breastfeeding. Of course that depends where you're at mentally with it. X

Ladyj84 · 05/12/2023 23:45

Our twin girls after 2 weeks changed to sma as cow and gate made them the same and never looked back..now our 2 sons they were fine in cow and gate

YellowHatt · 05/12/2023 23:51

You could look at relactation if you wanted to try again with breast feeding and do a mixture of breast and formula feeding, even if you only get low supply. Give it a google if you’re interested but obviously it’s completely up to you what you want to do.

Oldermum84 · 06/12/2023 00:20

When we had this with DS we switched to cow and gate comfort which helped.

Original poster
MariaVT65 · 06/12/2023 00:21

Thanks everyone for the replies

Just to clarify that breastmilk isn’t an option.

Does anyone have an experience of the constipation just settling down in a few weeks? I’m reading from NHS advice that it’s just the body getting used to digesting formula and it should settle in a couple of weeks. Has anyone found this was the case without switching formula or giving water etc? :)

OP posts:
Squirre · 06/12/2023 00:22

Oh op your poor baby and I can only imagine how exhausted you are! If she's still in pain and passing hard poo after a week it could be worth getting reviewed by the gp. My dc was started on lactulose at 4 weeks - sometimes it needs a little extra help to clear things if they've become impacted. No advice on formula but ERIC the bowel and bladder charity have a free helpline and are very helpful - I'm not sure if they'd have any recommendations on this but they've always been really great when I've needed advice. Hope little one is feeling better soon ❤️

Arthursmom · 06/12/2023 03:29

Nannycare and Kendamil do goats milk formula. It’s much gentler on their tummy and closer to breast milk. It has worked very well for my son. Worth a try.

mamahg · 06/12/2023 03:34

Speak to a doctor asap.

In terms of formula, Kendamil is incredible! They have ready made ones too x

user1492757084 · 06/12/2023 03:38

Have you seen a doctor?
Just to rule out anything else and to clarify options.

carddino · 06/12/2023 20:20

I would agree re speak to doctor.

It's hard without seeing baby.

Some don't poo every day. My second didnt.

Is it constipation or colic?

Things like tiger in tree hold rubbing back can help.

VivaVivaa · 06/12/2023 20:24

By solid, what do you mean? Because I agree a newborn shouldn’t be passing a solid lump, but equally some baby poo is practically liquid and some baby poo is thick and almost semi solid. Both of those are within the realms of normal.

As a PP said upthread, straining, crying and grunting when trying to pass a motion is often completely normal. It’s called dyschezia. It’s more distressing for the parents then the baby.

booksandbrooks · 06/12/2023 22:25

If you're worried at all seek medical help.

I don't know about formula but I've known a couple of breastfed babies who pooed once a week and this wasn't considered an issue -
Although doctors agreed it should be checked out.

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