Infant Constipation -3 Weeks & 4 Days Old

Have you tried a different formula? I had the same issues with milk supply when my son was born and also supplemented with formula, leading to constipation. We found that soy helped, but didn't solve the problems. My mom actually suggested adding a teaspoon or so of prune juice to each bottle and that helped a lot.

Is he breastfed, or formula fed?

Ask the pediatrician. I frankly would rather ask a professional about anythingn to do with an infant this young, rather than asking online. Surely he has a pediatric checkup very soon? If not, doesn't your pediatrician's office let parents phone and ask this kind of question so the office can determine whether you need to bring him in or not? I would call.

This is very normal, my son wouldn't go for 4 days at times and then have the blow out. I'd give him little tummies gripe water if he got fussy. The doctor told me it was normal because their bodies are trying to get the most out of their milk supply as possible and could actually go a week sometimes. It does get better. I think at this point you can give 4 oz of pear juice a day too. Check with dr on that. Good luck to you.

Also, if he doesn't like lying on stomach or flat, he may have acid. You can ask dr about that too. Can never hurt to go in with a ton of questions :)

He's not constipated. This is normal. A bowel movement may or may not happen every day for even a partially BFed infant.
Is the poop hard, dry, and crumbly? Or is it loose, yellowish, etc?
Even if a baby seems to really strain to have a BM, this is really normal. They are learning how their body works, and if its coming out loose and plentiful, it is totally normal, and this is probably why your MD wasn't worried.
You don't need to do suppositories or any other extreme measure unless what is coming out doens't look normal. Otherwise, he's fine.

Lori:

Congratulations on your new son!!!

That's his schedule 32 hours apart. that happens.

The only way to increase your breast milk supply is to keep at it. No stress. Stress affects your milk supply. I know, I know, I know...you have an infant!! No sleep!! No schedule yet!! Well, your son has his schedule - 32 hours.

Pump. It helps. If your son is gaining weight - you are feeding him. The more formula you feed him, the less hungry he will be for the breast. So your supply will go down. Give it a chance. Don't throw in the towel yet. You can't see how much you are putting out. You know - there are some mom's how weigh their child before they feed them and then weigh them after so they know about what they are producing...I think it's overkill - but it helps you sleep better and take the stress off you? Then do it.

In my opinion, formula CAN bind him up. It's NOT natural. Yes. I know many women have been feeding formula. And their kids have done just fine. This is MY opinion.

When you go in for your one month check up - talk with the pediatrician about his schedule. You will find that as infants, they do NOT poop like adults. Their system is still growing, learning, etc. so for right now -this is his schedule. it will change around 6 weeks. Then again at 4 months and six months when you introduce (if you decide to introduce then) solid foods....it's okay mama!! You are doing great!!!

I agree with Leigh. I do think that your ped will possibly tell you to try wax suppositories. Mine did. The trick is learning how to do it. My SIL showed me, but without her, I would have had the nurse do it. The thing about it is that you have to be prepared for baby poop all over the place. We only had to do it twice, and it ended up squirting all over my husband's white shirt. It's like there a constipation "blockage", but behind the blockage is more liquidy poop. Quite the mess!

The other thing my ped did was have me give the baby an ounce of watered-down prune juice. This helped prevent the consitpation so that his bowel movements weren't so far apart.

Now, your ped may tell you that your son's 32 hours is okay. That's why it's important that you don't do anything I'm telling you about unless your ped tells you to. You can ask about this, but don't don't do it without his supervision. Okay? (I don't want to be sorry I told you this stuff...........!)

Good luck!

i went thru this with my daughter-formula had to much iron in it-try mixing just a tad of molasses in with the formula-works like a charm-safe-no drug side effects-no hard pushing for poor baby-good luck

Is he acting like he's in pain? My daughter would go a couple of days without, I never timed it or anything, but her doctor wasn't concerned because she wasn't in pain and her poops were normal when they did come. She was formula fed, if that matters.

But I would definitely want to consult with his doctor and not just take my word for it.

formula is constipating. can you take some fenugreek capsules to build up your milk supply?? put the sleeping baby on the breast and let him nurse while he is sleepy.. that will build your supply.

ask the dr if you can give him a bit of pear juice.. that always worked for my kids.. pears prunes or peaches make you poop...

It could be normal. I would call the doctor tomorrow just to be sure. Try doing massages on his stomach. Gently massage in a clockwise motion on his tummy. Also, be sure to put him on his tummy, as well. You can also insert a rectal thermometer to help stimulate him to go. How is his wet diapers? If he's wetting 6-8 diapers a day, he's probably not dehydrated or anything. Good luck! I know how nerve wrecking these newborn days are and I know how you want opinions/answers right away and not have to wait until morning to call the doctor.

My baby just did this, though she went 7 days! Their system changes around this time.

if he doesn't go for 7 days, then call the Dr. otherwise, perfectly normal.