Constipation???...help please...

Isabelle has been really grizzly the last 2 days and not pooing anywhere near what she normally does so Im wondering if she could be constipated? She grunts and strains a bit when lying around playing but has only done 1 poo this morning (and 1 yesterday)- she will normally do about 3 a day. If Im holding her she will also just start crying all of a sudden then just stop. She hasnt been pullling her legs up or anything so its hard to figure out.

My mum gave me some pure chamomile to make a weak tea for her, just wondering if there is anything else that can help? Im hoping this is whats wrong because she doesnt have a fever or anything so Im really at a loss - wish she could talk and tell me whats up!

Also what causes it?? She is b'fed and the only thing I can think of is that while we were away for 4 days over the weekend she spent alot of time in the car?? I also did a little wine tasting - nothing major and always straight after a feed but maybe this could be it too I guess.:cry:
TIA :)

Aw hugs Tan, it's so hard!

Just a thought, but maybe Izzy is getting to the age where she is going to start pooing less. Lots of breastfed babies go WEEKS without pooing as they get older (she is totally BF isn't she?). What have her last couple of poos looked like? I think constipation is more about the consistency of their poo, rather than the freqeuncy. If her poo is a normal consistency, then I would say not to worry.

If you really think that she might be a bit constipated, then I would try giving her a little bit of cooled boiled water a couple of times and see if that helps.

Good luck hun!

Tan I had same happen with Jake when he was little. As long as their poos aren't pebbley and their nappies are still wet they aren't constipated. My Dr told me a BF baby can go up to 2 weeks without pooing - but would hate to see it when they did :)

Try bicycling her legs, or pushing them both up to her tummy when she is lying on her back - kind of like leg lift crunches. This helps move wind and might get her bowels more active, and try massaging her tummy in a circular motion where the down stroke goes down her left side - this is where the bit that leads out to the colon is (not good on anatomy!) Google baby massage and most sites have a bit on this.

Good luck!

Thanks ladies - she is definately straining really hard and going red in the face, making grunting noises and generally a bit miserable and not herself. Her poo was normal in color and consistancy yesterday - although it did have darker *bits* in it... arrrgghh - its so tricky working out these monkeys. Ive just read that constipation is rare in b'fed babies - as you kadies mentioned, so why the straining, grunting and red face??

The straining etc is pretty normal Tan, Nicholas does it alot. He also sometimes cries a bit when pooing, though I think it's more the sensation, rather than it hurting him IYKWIM? He certainly doesn't like lying in it LOL!

If her poos are normal consistency then I'd say she's not constipated, and she's just starting to go a bit longer between poos. Hooray I say!

Of course, mummy knows best, so if your worried get your MCHN or GP to check her. Or even ring the MCHN line.

Thanks Sez!! You are probably right - Im just paranoid and all the straining etc hasnt actually produced a poo! Will see how she goes overnight and tomorrow I guess before I panic too much! Hee hee! ;)

So I went to the chemist and the lady started to give me something but basically she ended up saying that I should just wait and see what happens over the next few daysas lots of babies who are b'fed dont poo every day - she then went on to say that because I have central heating I should be giving her water!! I just nodded to her and thought to myself - you've got to be kidding? If she is thirsty arent I better off giving her a little 2 minute feed than a bottle of water?
Pfft anyway - will see what happens over the next few days and then decide whether to take her to the doctor or not!

Tan, as the others have said, bfed babies often go up to 10 days without a poo. And 3 months is roughly the age at which the poos such to decrease in frequency. The redness in the face etc is very normal. As Barb has said in your other thread, a demand fed bfed baby won't need water. Don't worry, this parenting thing does get easier!! It's amazing how much more relaxed I am about everything 2nd time around!