6 Week Old Straining

by Rebecca
(SWEDEN)

I have a 6 week old baby boy and give him both breast milk and formula (about 2 bottles breast milk a day and 3 or more formula depending on how hungry he is).

The last 2 weeks he has really been pushing or straining, he goes bright red and wriggles about lifting up his legs, then he cries a little afterwards, and then calms down.

Is this normal?

He does seem to have a lot of gas, (can hear him fart in his sleep sometimes) he doesn't poop quite as often as he used to and sometimes it's only a tiny poop mark in his nappy that comes with a fart. When he poops properly it's mustard in colour and like a thick paste with tiny lumps.

Is this normal too or is he constipated?

Thank you for any help!

A worried 1st time Mom!
Rebecca

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Baby Help Line Response

Hi Rebecca!

Straining and some tummy pain are completely normal for a six weeks old baby. Having a lot of gas is also very common and usually starts diminishing at around 2.5-3 months old or so.

At around 4 weeks of age, a baby's digestive system begins to mature and the number of bowel movement usually decreases, especially if the baby is breastfed. Since you give your son both breast milk and formula, it is probably not very strange that he poops less frequently now when he is older.

The poop also seems fine - no sign of constipation.

However, if your son seems to be in great pain and especially if you notice hard stools or very infrequent stools (several days between his pooping) he could be mildly constipated.

If you can, try giving your baby more breast milk and less formula, since breast milk is a good laxative and really can't result in constipation.

Some foods may make babies more gassy, and if you want, you can try to eliminate them from your diet. Cabbage is one such foods and you can find the whole list of foods to eat and not while breastfeeding here.

For more tips on whether your baby is constipated or not and what you can do about it, click here. (My answer to another mom with a similar problem.) And don't hesitate to talk to your baby's health care provider!

Congratulations to your son and lycka till!

Paula

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