Baby Won't Poop By Herself

Baby Won't Poop By Herself

I have a 4.5 month old baby, breastfed and eating oatmeal pablum with some pears or prunes.

Since she was 3 weeks old she hasn't pooped regularly on her own. We have tried every advice given to us - from prune juice and water to stopping solids, more water, no water, apple juice - you name it, we've tried it.

Nothing helps her to by herself. I have tried leaving her to to on her own for 3 days and by then she is not happy and her stomach is large.

We help her with a Q-tip and Vaseline, this always gets her started and then she's fine to finish going after that, it's always soft and quite a lot too.

I'm worried that doing this is going to hurt her or has made her lazy.

My doctor is also confused as to why she needs help to get started. She's healthy and thriving, she sleeps through the night - since she was 3 weeks old - and she's not uncomfortable until that 3rd day.

I'm not sure what else to do, I'm ready to take her to a children's hospital, would that be necessary?

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Baby Won't Poop By Herself

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Feb 20, 2009

Baby Help Line
by: Baby Help Line

Your baby should not need help every time she has a bowel movement. If you continue to assist her every time her body will become dependent on that stimulation to produce a bowel movement. If your child has a severe case of constipation, your pediatrician may prescribe medicine to soften or remove the stool. I sometimes used a mineral oil enema with the end cut in half, for my baby?s constipation. Constipation is treated in different ways. Your pediatrician will recommend a treatment based on your child's age and how serious the problem is. If your child's case is severe, he may need a special medical test, such as an x-ray. In most cases, no tests are needed. Babies often grunt, strain, or turn red or purple when having a bowel movement. This is usually normal, and if the stool is soft, this does not mean the baby is constipated. Some babies may have only one stool or even one every third day and this may be normal. As long as the baby shows no discomfort, treatment is not necessary. Have you tried straight juice with no water added? Our pediatrician recommends apple or pear juice over prune for tummy sensitivity. I would also try to eliminate soy products from your diet and rice products from her diet. These products can cause constipation. All doctors treat in different ways. If you feel your doctor is not listening to your complaints than you may want to get her seen at the children?s hospital to get a more through examination to make sure there are no underling causes. Here are some signs of constipation to discuss with your pediatrician.
Symptoms of constipation may include the following:
? Many days without normal bowel movements
? Hard stools that are difficult or painful to pass
? Abdominal pain (stomachaches, cramping, nausea)
? Rectal bleeding from tears called fissures
? Soiling
? Poor appetite
? Cranky behavior
Remember moms know best so if you feel something is not right then I would always get a second opinion. I hope she starts to feel better.

Liz

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Feb 20, 2009
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Submitted by: Baby Help Line

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Your baby should not need help every time she has a bowel movement. If you continue to assist her every time her body will become dependent on that stimulation to produce a bowel movement. If your child has a severe case of constipation, your pediatrician may prescribe medicine to soften or remove the stool. I sometimes used a mineral oil enema with the end cut in half, for my baby?s constipation. Constipation is treated in different ways. Your pediatrician will recommend a treatment based on your child's age and how serious the problem is. If your child's case is severe, he may need a special medical test, such as an x-ray. In most cases, no tests are needed. Babies often grunt, strain, or turn red or purple when having a bowel movement. This is usually normal, and if the stool is soft, this does not mean the baby is constipated. Some babies may have only one stool or even one every third day and this may be normal. As long as the baby shows no discomfort, treatment is not necessary. Have you tried straight juice with no water added? Our pediatrician recommends apple or pear juice over prune for tummy sensitivity. I would also try to eliminate soy products from your diet and rice products from her diet. These products can cause constipation. All doctors treat in different ways. If you feel your doctor is not listening to your complaints than you may want to get her seen at the children?s hospital to get a more through examination to make sure there are no underling causes. Here are some signs of constipation to discuss with your pediatrician. Symptoms of constipation may include the following: ? Many days without normal bowel movements ? Hard stools that are difficult or painful to pass ? Abdominal pain (stomachaches, cramping, nausea) ? Rectal bleeding from tears called fissures ? Soiling ? Poor appetite ? Cranky behavior Remember moms know best so if you feel something is not right then I would always get a second opinion. I hope she starts to feel better. <a href="http://www.easybabylife.com/elizabeth-muns.html">Liz</a>

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Mar 09, 2009

CELIAC DISEASE
by: Anonymous

My daughter was the same and was on medication for constipation her entire infancy.
She was recently diagnosed with Celiac Disease ( An intolerance in her gut to Gluten)

Mar 17, 2009

my baby is the same exact way
by: roberta

wow! this is just how my baby is to. I also help him with Vaseline to get started then he goes just fine! he dont cry about it when going,but he does seem relieved. I usually can tell when its time because he makes a grindy noise like he is trying to push. I have him starting with a specialist and they recommended him fiber. So I am giving him some fiber in his bottle hopefully it works. I also have him going in for a mri. If you figure out what this could be before me please let me know.Good Luck

Jun 02, 2009

cronic constipation
by: kiran

my daughter is 3 years old and she has this problem at the age of 1.my doctor advised her medication movicol every day .i am giving regularly .if i stopped giving her this medicine then her condition gets worse.she faces very bad stomach pain bom pain.she jumps.after 6 or 7days when she does poo she is fine.i am worried abot her.whetehr she will always depend on movicol.if someone got answer plz give me soloution.thanks

Jun 02, 2009

Milk?
by: Baby Help Line - Paula

Hi,

Have you tried eliminating all milk products from her diet? A mom I recently talked to tried that with their 3 year old with the same symptoms and the constipation completely disappeared.

Just a thought...

Paula

Jun 13, 2009

my son is exactly the same
by: KC

My son is 5 weeks old and since he was 2 1/2 weeks old, I have had to stimulate him also. He is on Alimentum and I am no longer breastfeeding him. I am also very concerned about this, I don't think it is normal for this to be happening. I am going to talk to the dr about this in more length. I hope there is'nt anything wrong with his bowels.

Jul 08, 2009

baby needs help pooping
by: baby09

7 week old baby goes by himself sometimes, but other times he needs help (thermometer and vaseline)...then he goes right away. I have him on Alimentum and partially breast feeding. He is having major gastric pain and passing really loud gas and crying with it. Doc prescribed some drops several weeks ago, no help at all. Gripe water, no help at all. Going back to
Doc in am

Aug 05, 2009

baby who wont go poop by herself
by: ashlee

My son is 3 1/2 and he has had that issue since he was a baby. Karo syrup in his bottle helped when he was a baby, but now, not even exlax will get to him. he has had tests done, nothing was wrong, but he is still going through this...it is a tough world when you got to worry about your child pooping. i know how it is and i hope you find a cure before he gets older. im thinking of taking my son back and seeing if they can do a diferent test or something because it's just not right.

Aug 22, 2009

4 month old baby boy wont poop
by: Anonymous

we have a 4 month old baby boy who has a twin sister. she is a poop factory.. however he wont poop on his own. like some of the other parents we have tried stool softner, gripe water, prune juice, oval drops, corn syrup, warm cloths on the bum and vaseline and q-tip to stimulate and bring on a poop. after many trips to the emergency department and endless doctors appointments for x-rays, ultra sounds, bi-opsy the conclusion is a milk alergy. he is now on PREGESTIMIL FORMULA and is able to poop on his own ...but its very little and always runny. he also is being tested for acid reflux wich may be causing some of his symptoms. they also ruled out HIRCHSPRUNGS wich is a bowel disease. so in the mean time sometimes he eats, and has a good day. other times he screams in so much pain it breaks your heart. we will NOT stop going to the doctor and demanding specalist appointments until we figure out whats wrong. so all you parents out there with a baby suffering like ours does..make 500 appointments if you have to..and be firm in requesting a specialist in bowel disorders.. the only relief we could offer to our son is to give him gylicerin suppositorys every evening..to take some of the pressure off of his belly.. i hope that this might be of some help to someone ..
awake and thinking

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Aug 22, 2009
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Submitted by: Anonymous

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we have a 4 month old baby boy who has a twin sister. she is a poop factory.. however he wont poop on his own. like some of the other parents we have tried stool softner, gripe water, prune juice, oval drops, corn syrup, warm cloths on the bum and vaseline and q-tip to stimulate and bring on a poop. after many trips to the emergency department and endless doctors appointments for x-rays, ultra sounds, bi-opsy the conclusion is a milk alergy. he is now on PREGESTIMIL FORMULA and is able to poop on his own ...but its very little and always runny. he also is being tested for acid reflux wich may be causing some of his symptoms. they also ruled out HIRCHSPRUNGS wich is a bowel disease. so in the mean time sometimes he eats, and has a good day. other times he screams in so much pain it breaks your heart. we will NOT stop going to the doctor and demanding specalist appointments until we figure out whats wrong. so all you parents out there with a baby suffering like ours does..make 500 appointments if you have to..and be firm in requesting a specialist in bowel disorders.. the only relief we could offer to our son is to give him gylicerin suppositorys every evening..to take some of the pressure off of his belly.. i hope that this might be of some help to someone .. awake and thinking

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Aug 24, 2009

Take baby to Chiropractor
by: JL

My chiropractor keeps my baby boy functioning great! He adjusts my baby's pelvis and lower back whenever he is constipated and he has a bowel movement not long after the adjustment. The adjustment are mainly just lightly tapping his bones or holding a slight pressure to realign his bones and release pressure on his nervous system.

Sep 01, 2009

He won't go poop
by: ANDREA289

My boy is the same. I have tried everything I can think from prunes to dr prescribed laxatives. Nothing works except a q-tip and vaseline. Dr is just as puzzled as we are. He is on formula and in the beginning it was as hard as a rock then we switched to goat milk formula and it has softened it but he still normally won't go by himself. He can go by himself because he has done a few poopies by himself. We've tried to wait it out but he still won't go alone. I see I'm not the only parent with this problems. Has anyone has any positive results.

Sep 20, 2009

poop
by: Anonymous

My 2 1/2 month old hasn't pooped in 7 days it is Saturday and last pooped last Saterday 2 times really full diapers so much it was up his back both times and leaking everywhere but my son acts fine he coos and giggles most of the time and only cries when hungry I breast feed him and occasional formula that is all I give him but I was going to ask the doctor this Tues about it I also have weird long periods without bowl movements. I go about once a week. I see everyone freaking out over 3 days and wanting to try something but I feel as long as he doesnt seem in pain I will wait it out he is a happy baby but i will see what the doctor sais about this but I have seen people mess their kids up by starting treatment laxitives and such before even having it checked out I dont want to give my baby anything but breast milk really and like i said when he goes he goes like i do I cant even believe the big amount that comes out when I go its not painful either for me i just dont go very often but I do feel this must concern alot of people so know I dont feel normal..... lol.

Oct 03, 2009

Little girl is full of poo
by: Anonymous

My little girl is nearly 2 she was taken in to hospital last week with possible inpactation as she had not been for a week and was screaming in pain she could not walk high & had a temp of 104 she was kept in over night. In the morning the doctor came round and gave the second enema sent us home with movicol plan I called that night to say she hadn't passed urine as I was concerned they had let her out as she was in so much pain.

During that week we had to take her back a number of time's for tests ect now a week later they had found a urine infection after sending me back to my GP surgery by this stage it was bad she was very confused but after looking it up this is very common with constipation. I called the hospital and told them my baby was getting worse and told them they had left her for too long in pain they asked me to bring her in again I asked to see another doctor at the hospital and for them to do a complete examination in case they had missed something by this stage she had no eaten for two weeks and was crying and weak. This doctor decides to x-ray her she was full of poo i've never seen anything like it right up to her ribs the doctor was just as shocked as me. She has now got a medication to clean her out called pixalax fingers crossed this will get it out as I think she has suffered enough and is traumatized of hospitals as she doesn't understand and so am I also very concerned that it has taken this long and that they had missed it.

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Oct 03, 2009
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Submitted by: Anonymous

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My little girl is nearly 2 she was taken in to hospital last week with possible inpactation as she had not been for a week and was screaming in pain she could not walk high & had a temp of 104 she was kept in over night. In the morning the doctor came round and gave the second enema sent us home with movicol plan I called that night to say she hadn't passed urine as I was concerned they had let her out as she was in so much pain. During that week we had to take her back a number of time's for tests ect now a week later they had found a urine infection after sending me back to my GP surgery by this stage it was bad she was very confused but after looking it up this is very common with constipation. I called the hospital and told them my baby was getting worse and told them they had left her for too long in pain they asked me to bring her in again I asked to see another doctor at the hospital and for them to do a complete examination in case they had missed something by this stage she had no eaten for two weeks and was crying and weak. This doctor decides to x-ray her she was full of poo i've never seen anything like it right up to her ribs the doctor was just as shocked as me. She has now got a medication to clean her out called pixalax fingers crossed this will get it out as I think she has suffered enough and is traumatized of hospitals as she doesn't understand and so am I also very concerned that it has taken this long and that they had missed it.

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Oct 29, 2009

9 DAYS SINCE LAST POO???
by: Anonymous

my baby boy is 10 weeks old and he normally goes every 5-7 days but today is day 9! im now thinking of taking him to see the doc but i don't really want him messed about with because he seems happy still smiling etc? i really don't no what to do??? please some1 help

Oct 29, 2009

Don't worry!
by: Baby Help Line - Paula

Hi, Anonymous with the bay who hasn't pooped for 9 days!

Do you breastfeed? If you do, don't worry! It can take 14 days between bowel movements for breastfed babies at your baby's age. They grow very fast and simply make use of all the milk they get.

So unless your baby is on formula or seems to be in pain, just wait. You can always try some baby massage to help the intestines.

Take care,

Paula

Jul 21, 2010

Baby Girl wont poo on her own
by: Anonymous

My daughter is 6 months old and has not pooped on her own since she was 4 months. Before that she had BM's all day long. She is breastfed and is a very happy girl. We have not started solids yet, because we don't want her to get any worse. Prunce juice and pear juice do not work at all. The longest we wait is 7 days before we do a suppository, then she goes in about 5 mins, which is soft and normal color. She is growing well, but small for her age. Reading these posts is encouraging, there is a lot of stuff on the internet to make you worry. My latest concern is Chronic Intestinal Pseudo Obstruction, but is only diagnosed in 200 kids a year on avergage. We are going to the G.I. Doc next week. Praying and keeping our fingers crossed

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