Newborn Constipation - Altoona,IA

Do not panic right now... Whenever you are changing formulas, it takes about a week for the systems to regulate. We actually do not consider babies to be constipated unless it has been over a week, they are having hard poops or showing other signs of GI distress. New parents become "Poop Patrolers" lol and it is actually more of a problem for them than the baby many times. Please do not follow the juice idea. It will be fine. You can do a rectal temp with a little lubricant and it usually works if the baby needs to go. When parents take my newborn class and I tell them to stop poop worrying; when they come back with the toddlers years lady they say it is one of the best advice they had been given. Good luck and Congratulations.

Do you BF or formula feed? I know BF babies don't always have a BM every day , formula fed babies tend to go more often. But I think 2 days with no BM would need to be brought to the attention of your doctor.

My twins were the same way. I had one that would have a BM a couple of times a day, and the other one would go once every couple of days. It was completely normal for him, and may be for your little girl, too. As long as she is not straining to go, and the BM isn't dry or hard when she does go, she should be fine. If she seems upset (tummy ache, hard stomach or lower abdomen), is straining when she goes, or her BM is dry/hard/pebble like, then she is constipated and your dr or pharmacist can recommend what to give her to help. We used to give my little guy 1tsp. of Caro syrup in an 8oz. bottle when it got to be 4 or 5 days between BMs, and then he would go, but this was on the recommendation of the pediatrician, and if you want to go that route, please make sure you talk to your ped. first!

Good luck, and congratulations on your twins!

I have been giving Babies magic tea to my constipated one month old son and relieved him from this trouble.

It isn't uncommon for (older) breastfed babies to go a week or more between bms. Assuming your baby did poop enough to clear the meconium and is still wetting 6-8 times a day...it is worth a call to the pediatrician, but nothing to be too concerned about yet.

A newborn digestive system lacks the muscle tone of an older baby. That is the reason they can seem to be struggling even though the bm is completely soft.

If you are formula feeding...that is a whole different story and you should see the pediatrician ASAP.

If she is peeing I wouldn't be worried yet. If YOU are worried though, you should call your dr.'s office.

Call your pediatrician. The doctor or triage nurse can tell you and offer suggestions to help your new one.

My pedi said 4 days. To help him/her, do the "bicycle" legs and a belly massage.

They say a week. That is what I have always read, although I would personally be concerned sooner than that, how old is your baby and what has your babies' pattern been up until now? Is your baby breastfed or formula fed? Lots to consider here.

Howdy neighbor; I live in Altoona also:) When I switched my son from the same formula and to the same formula he became constipated as well; he was pushing really hard, etc. I called our nurse and they told me to put Dark karo Syrup in his bottle, I started with a very small amount ( a few drops) because I didn't really know how he would react and put it in every bottle until he had a BM, then a couple bottles a day until his BMs were of the appropriate consistency again. It worked wonderfully and is non-medicinal (I don't like giving him meds unless I have to) and I still use the trick today and he is almost one. If he 'misses' a BM, his next bottle has karo in it:) Congratulations!!!!