Printable View
My 3 week old DD appears to be having trouble pooing at the moment. It has been 3 days since her last poop which was about a table spoon worth and dark yellow green. Has no trouble passing wind.
She is most of the time BF, with the occasional formula top up. (Biggest amount has been 90ml)
I have read and been told BF babes can make no 2's once a week. But do they appear in pain or have to strain?
What can I do or give her to ease the process of no 2's??
Babies guts are very immature and mix feeding, more so formula can be more difficult for a baby to digest and then move through the bowels. My sister is having this difficulty at the moment with her 4 week old a d has been giving her DS gripe water, which helps with pushing the milk through the bowels.
What formula are you using? Some, such as S26 are notorious for causing bubs constipation in addition to ones with high amts of Iron.
My DD is EBF and her bowel movements have changed as she has gotten older. So at first she was going daily, then she went every few days and now it can go up to nearly 2 weeks. She has always (prior to food) had mustard color pops. The green in poo is common for formula fed bubs but can indicate other things like lactose intolerance - are the stools frothy at all?
Formula is Nan HA Gold
DD hasn't pooped for nearly 4 days now, the last poop DH tells me it was the dark yellow and runny.
I have been giving gripe water too, seems to help with the tummy pain but not passing poop. Mind you passing wind, no issue.
I thought if constipated then even passing wind was hard?
My eldest DD was on Nan HA Gold and had no issues but all babies are different.
Not sure about the wind passing vs constipation. My go to book is in my DD room whom is asleep at the moment so can't get it to see what it says.
Can you try to encourage a bowel movement by rubbing babes tummy clockwise during/after bath time and also getting a warm, damp facewasher and rubbing gently near the anus? Given when your bubs is pooping and it is runny, I would say it is just becoming the norm. Hard, pellet like and chalky stools can be of concern. Is bubs generally happy during the day/night?
Hi, just checking - is she gaining weight? It’s not normal for breastfed babies that age to go for a week without a poo - generally they will be pooing several times a day. yes, it’s possible that the formula is creating an issue - but just wanted to check that she’s getting enough milk. How often would you say she breastfeeds in 24 hours?
Thanks for replying ladies.
We have tried the following:
Warm baths daily
Cycling her legs for up to 10 mins about 3 times a day
Massaging her tummy - seems to help but not with passing but age will squeeze when massaging
Have given gripe water - not as per dosage - but dipping dummy in few times over the day
Last MCHN check up DD has gained 140grams, that was a week ago
Last poo was on Sat night, DH said it was dark yellow and runny, but small amount.
Last formula was 60ml yesterday afternoon (previous few days has been similar amount 1-2 times in the day)
Her feeds have been regular 3 hourly but she can take up to 1-2 hours to feed and she's not full, hence the top ups, BM when I can get time or feel there's still some in there (not all feeds require top ups)
Originally the midwife who saw us at home suggested the top ups due to my milk not coming in fully (post traumatic birth issue)
Well went to pharmacy today and advised to use Lac-tol and if DD still no poo's by Friday to take her to Dr.
SIL said to try massaging olive oil around anus - so will try that tomorrow too.
Ok - this is not constipation - this is a baby who is not getting enough milk. this is NOT because you don’t HAVE enough milk, but because she isn’t taking enough milk. I wonder if she is jaundiced (or if she was in the early days?) the clue to this is taking 1-2 hours to feed. A baby who is taking this long isn’t feeding effectively. Good news. This is a temporary problem which is probably easily enough sorted out. But she is not constipated, so please don’t use medications. Your breasts need a bit off extra stimulation in the short term. I would recomment hiring a hospital grade breastpump from your local ABA group. Until you get back on track I would suggest this little routine. Breastfeed her on the first side for 10 mins. Take her off (she will make a desperate grab for it as you go to take her off- but don’t mind that) Wake her up, burp her and offer her the other side. Once again, no more than 10 mins. Express both sides - no more than 10 mins each side with a hospital grade breastpump. Next feed - 3 hours late, breastfeed, then top her up with the expressed milk. You will have time to express because you will be feeding her for a shorter time. In a week or so she will be flying solo and you won’t have to continue. It would be a good idea to see an LC as well. You have every chance of fully breastfeeding.
I am doing this! Went and saw a lactation consultant about a week ago, and by 1-2hour feeds I mean 15mins each side, twice. The rest is her burping or falling asleep.
I try to pump in between feeds, but I haven't been getting more than 30ml during the day, which isn't enough for her! She usually still wants more. I know she is getting more when on the breast.
She loves to sleep! That I'm not complaining about!
She is writhing in pain when trying to poop, and I can hear the gas in her tummy. She is squeezing, and her legs tense up.
I think I’d probably be heading back to the LC - what sort of pump are you using?
Thanks Barb, I may just do that.
The pumps I'm using aren't well known brands. Manual is avent and electric is First years (borrowed).
My supply appears to be on the increase though, pumped 150ml this morning!
But she was still straining in her sleep, crunching up herself, and yesterday she didn't want breast, required massaging to calm her, so I'm still not sure if its a hunger issue.
Hi - well, it sounds like things are certainly working. You will be able to top her top with EBM rather than formula which will sort out the possible consitpation. The next thing is to get her fully back to the breast. You will find that she becomes more alert and awake and can take a bigger volume of milk - getting back in touch with your LC would be perfect now
Well she did it! Was an explosion! Haha
Yes now I can relax and aim to have her fully breast fed and if require a bottle will be BM!
Thanks for your tips Barb!