11 day old baby straining to poop? Going maybe once a day..Need your help

HI Everyone, i have an 11 day old baby who has all of a sudden starting pooping less than once a day and straining all day long..she is formula fed and my doc said use a thermometer with vasoline...
Anyone go through this and have any tips...can i give her apple juice this young?

Re: 11 day old baby straining to poop? Going maybe once a day..Need your help

I had this issue, My DS would only poop like once every 3 days. Ped. and home nurse told me not to worry about it. I can't remember if he was starining a lot all day though, I don't think so....

Re: 11 day old baby straining to poop? Going maybe once a day..Need your help

my pediatrician said 1 oz prune juice, 1 ounce water. Worked like a charm....

But my DS was a little older, so I would just check that prune juice is okay for such a new baby -congrats btw!

Re: 11 day old baby straining to poop? Going maybe once a day..Need your help

Definitely don't give her juice. Babies don't necessarily poop every day. Is it definitely poop or could it be gas?

My DS has the same issue and when he is really struggling to go we've tried the thermometer and baby glycerin suppositories (at our ped's recommendation).

Re: 11 day old baby straining to poop? Going maybe once a day..Need your help

I would avoid juice and give an ounce of water. That always worked for my kids.

Re: 11 day old baby straining to poop? Going maybe once a day..Need your help

My pediatrician does not rec juices that young. 1-2 oz of water should do the trick

Re: 11 day old baby straining to poop? Going maybe once a day..Need your help

First off I was told that if the baby is formula fed once a day is ok.

AJ has ALWAYS only gone once a day. I started bfing but had to quit due to medical reasons. When I BF she was going more than once a day. It freaked me how that she strained and only went once a day when I switched to the Bottle at about 12days.

Doc said it was totally normal. He advised that I let just it go and only should be concerned if she goes more than 2 days with no poop. So if she goes today but not tomorrow she needs to go sometime on the third day. Make sense?

Also, it could be formula. She doesn’t strain as bad when I use the brand name, but when I put her on generic she strained more to the point of tears sometimes.

Doc said the strain was because Formula isn’t breastmilk or Mommy’s umbilical cord and it is just her little body learning to digest it.

HTH

Re: 11 day old baby straining to poop? Going maybe once a day..Need your help

I think straining is normal when they are that small. once a day is fine too as long as poop is not hard and DC is not crying in pain

Re: 11 day old baby straining to poop? Going maybe once a day..Need your help

This is what my ped told me and what I researched..

A babies system is still new so it is normal for the baby to sometimes strain when the go to the bathroom. Look out for hard poop that looks like pellets.
I would call the ped if that happens. If it has been a day or two since you dc went call your ped. Formula can be a culprit. I did use 1/4 tsp of prune juice to 15 oz. of formula. (this is for powder formula.) Do not give apple juice, it is too soon. Also using the rectal thermo. with vaseline works to, and also bicycle her legs.

Re: 11 day old baby straining to poop? Going maybe once a day..Need your help

My ped ok'd the prune juice at 11 weeks. All ped are different, check with yours first.

Re: 11 day old baby straining to poop? Going maybe once a day..Need your help

Its ok to only go once a day. Is dc really straining. I remember DS would turn red when he pooped but he wasnt uncomfortable. We always knew when he was going.
Could the straining be gas?

Re: 11 day old baby straining to poop? Going maybe once a day..Need your help

Thanks everyone! I appreciate it so much..she is going poop but the straining made me nervous! This site is great, i appreciate everyones responses as being a new mommy is frightening!!!

I worry about everything...thanks again!

Re: 11 day old baby straining to poop? Going maybe once a day..Need your help

Mine is a few days older than yours and strains often. Dr told me they do NOT need to go everday and it's not the frequency but the color and consistency. If it looks like ours, it's a problem. Straining is normal. Probably is just gas, my baby gets gas often and pulls her legs up to her chest. Then after a few farts (or a poop) it goes away (could be hours).

I would not give water or anything other than formula to an infant without your drs permission. Even water can harm an infant...check with your dr.

Re: 11 day old baby straining to poop? Going maybe once a day..Need your help

DD would strain when she was a newborn too -

my mom kept saying she was constipated, but thats not it at all - she's just learning to poop - everything is new to her, so give her some time Soon enough, you'll have a pooping machine!

Like PP said - as long as the poop is not hard pellets, its fine.

Re: 11 day old baby straining to poop? Going maybe once a day..Need your help

I had this issue as well and I was only supplementing with soy formula....it's so full of iron.

I was told to do half water half juice in between feedings. I was also told NO thermometer because it causes trauma to the anus