Help why is my newborn not moving his bowels?

[Grub]

Hi sorry for the title but this is a serious question. He is 6 weeks old & has not had a bowel movement in 6 days. He has started to eat poorly in the last 24 hours, ie he normally takes 110 mls of breast milk but now he is just snacking at 50-80 mls.

I took him to the paeditrician (this has happened before) and she put a suppository in his bottom and he had such an adverse reaction to it. He was passing blood and mucus for up to 7 hours and I am so frightened to bring him back to the doctor again.

Does anyone know of natural remedies? This is so stressful for me and the baby. He has been crying every waking moment.

[shortie]

My son was totally breastfed and for a while, when he was newborn, he would only 'go' every Friday.  I asked at the clinic and they said that it was quite normal for a totally breastfed baby to go for a while between each bowel movment, and even told me a story about a woman whose baby went once every week and a half to 2 weeks.  Apparently it is important for bottle fed babies to have a bowel movement every day.  A suppository at this young age seems really harsh to me, and I don't blame you for not going back.  Good luck

[This message has been edited by BoardManager (edited 21-07-2003).]
Apparently I am not allowed to suggest you ask around other professionals...but I would try other places for medical advice.

[This message has been edited by shortie (edited 21-07-2003).]

[baby2]

Hi,
My son is now 9 months now, but most of his early months he would not pass a motion he actual went 15 days without one on numerous occassions.  This is quiet normal in breast feed babies they can actual go up too 3 weeks without (if i remember).  So try not to stress as long as he is taking milk, and wet nappies try not to stress.  If you are worried see a pediatrian (child doctor).  Even now his movements are very hard
Good luck

[Ines]

Try prune juice.

[Grub]

Thanks everyone. My mother suggested putting a small piece of soap into his bottom but that sounds awfully brutal as well. She swears by it and said she did that to us when we were babies.

[This message has been edited by Grub (edited 20-07-2003).]

[shia]

My nanny was suggesting to put some olive oil into babies bottom. Doesn't look too bad to me.

[shalini]

Hi

This may sound weird, but with my daughter, I used to just insert the tip of a digital thermometer coated with a bit of oil. Used to work like a charm...and it is not at all painful. Try it and let us know.

[shalini]

Also, next time, don't wait till he starts crying. As long as he is feeding well and happy, no need to intervene, as different babies have different intervals of bowel movement . But as soon as you notice that his feeding is dropping off, try to use some gentle natural trick (whichever works for you from the above) and clear his bowels. Also please drink plenty of water and try to cut down on dairy as I have heard that this may lead to hard stools in some babies. I don't know how far this is true, but I tried it, and it does seem to help, so why don't you give it a shot?

[Please do this]

While  I concur with a lot of the good advice above, you should be aware that there are several infact gastic problems that are indicated by failure to move the bowls.  Some can be quite serious.

I'm sure there is nothing wrong with your baby buy please don't take the advice of well meaning, but unqualified strangers.

This is your child's health.  Go and see another paediatrician and get a second opinion.  Better safe than sorry.

All the best

[JD]

Poor you, this is so scary for you as a new mum. My also very young baby didn't poop for a few days and on Grandmas advice I tired giving her some cooled boiled water. This did the trick and we had poopy nappies by the score (and I've never been so happy to see them either!).
As previous poster says though, might be worth taking junior to the hospital or to another Dr and get it checked. You don;t want him to be bunged up for two long.
Good Luck!

[Grub]

Hi all...I am happy to report that my baby pooped today! I tried giving him boiled water, and was prepared to tickle his bottom but fortunately I did not have to do that. I will remember your tips for future reference. Thanks all.