Constipation in Newborns

Updated on October 20, 2007
L.M. asks from Darby, PA
10 answers

I have a newborn (3 weeks old) who is experiencing constipation. He has a bowel movement like every other day and some days none at all. I have tried to add cairo syrup to his formula and this does not seem to be working. My concern was the formula may be clogging him up. The pediatrician said that it is not. I have a 10 year old who was lactose intolorant and at birth had to switch her formula to one that suited her stomach. I think this may be the same issue. Also, I breast fed him for 2 weeks and supplemented feedings with the formula as well. Could this be a cause as well?

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C.M.

answers from Philadelphia on

My daughter had the same problem. We switched her formula to Nestle Good Start. Needless to say things have been "flowing" much better. It is still iron based too.

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D.D.

answers from Philadelphia on

Hi L. – I’m not sure why your baby is constipation, but I have a recommendation for the treatment. My daughter was constipated when she was an infant and the doctor told me to use a suppository, but cut it in half. It really worked and before you know it she was regular again.

Hope this help.

D.

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E.L.

answers from Philadelphia on

It could be the ridiculous amout of iron most formula brands add. While you were both breastfeeding and supplementing the breastmilk probably helped keep things moving. You can try 1/2 ounce of prune juice mixed with a little (so the total would be around an ouce) water or formula once a day, many formula fed babies are much more comfortable with this added to their routine.

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L.B.

answers from Philadelphia on

My son who is now 6 months still struggles off and on with solid BM's or constipation. It took him a bit to get his plumbing working right. The doc did assure me that it was ok for him not to have a BM daily and if he didn't seem to be in any discomfort not to be alarmed by it.

I would call your pediatrician and see what their remedy is for this. Mine suggested 1 oz of apple juice per month old which doesn't add up to much for your son yet but that could work. The Karo Syrup didn't do much for my little man either.

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M.N.

answers from Philadelphia on

Mostly like no. Some times babies poop every day, sometimes not. My brest fed baby would poop every other day after the first few weeks.
When she did seem constipated, I would just do leg movements, and knee bends with her and it seemed to help.

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M.B.

answers from Philadelphia on

I have 9 month old twin girls and have given them prune juice on and off since birth for constipation. i am convinced that formula does it to them especially when they are newbies and their little systems aren't used to all that iron in their diets. Their doctor recommended it so i tried it and bamn instant results. one of my girls was so bad that the poor little thing went days and days with a bowel movement. The internet and doctor said that it was perfectly normal for babies to not have movements for days but i know my babies and i just knew it was making them miserable. i would start off very small like 1/2 ounce to 1 ounce once per day for a baby that young. Be prepared after one or two days of prunes your little one will be pooping up a storm to say the least. sometimes they just need a little something to push it out! good luck!!

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M.H.

answers from Philadelphia on

You are right with your instinct.I really feel it is the formula.Breast milk has a laxative in it so thatis why he was't contipated while nursing. Try changing the formula. If he is fussy also;he may be laxtos intolerant also like your first child. Carnation good start is great. From M. a postpartum doula who has seen this many times

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E.U.

answers from Philadelphia on

Hi Lisa!

I'm E., I have a 7 week old baby and like you I know how you feel.

I don't know what will be right for you but,I'd like to share what happened to me.
My doctor told me it's normal for babies not to poop every single day especially if they're eating both breast milk and formula,my son still eats both.I was told to give him prune juice which worked on overload a tablespoon is more than enough. I did switch is formula to Enfamil Gentlease, it's for babies with fussiness and gas,my son has been doing great with it,he still drinks about 15 ounces of breast milk a day and he poops ounce a day sometimes every other day.
Don't panic, trust your doctors advice and much luck to you.

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R.G.

answers from Philadelphia on

My first born had constipation issues and I believe it was the high iron in the formula. Of course the doctors are reluctant for you to switch, but she got so bad I switched anyway to the low iron formula. I tried the cairo and the pear juice but they were both just temporary fixes and usually did not help that much:( Once I switched to low iron she was fine! She has no developemental issues either due to lower iron. I figured if it really could be harmful to her to not get all the iron than why did they make a low iron formula in every name brand formula? No idea wht the doctors try to scare you like that! She is in Kindergarten now and is very bright:) Some babies just have sensative systems....my youngest is fine on the regular iron formula.

Best of luck to you both!!!

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M.B.

answers from Philadelphia on

A very old Indian custom that I learned when my son was tiny, is to put a small dot of mineral oil on a cotton ball, and gently rub in on his belly button -- this is where he/she was connected to you (the umbilical cord) not so long ago, and is considered to be still an "open" type of place in his body -- and mineral oil is very mild and considered soothing to a baby.... all gasses are released shortly after this, and baby will poop more regularly. Mineral oil is available in local drugstores, very inexpensive, and colorless & odorless, and worth the try....worked for us!!

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