Trouble Passing Wind and/or Bowel Movement

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Trouble Passing Wind and/or Bowel Movement

by Michelle
(Sydney, Australia)

Our baby is 11 weeks old and throughout her first month suffered almost constantly from what our doctor described as "Colic" i.e. Pain and discomfort passing wind and bowel movements, pulling knees up to chest, pained crying etc).

At around 6 weeks this disappeared much to the delight of myself and my partner as this had been a very hard time for us all. However for the last 2 weeks she has again been experiencing what appears to be excruciating pain when trying to pass wind or a movement each night at around 6.30-9.30pm (this time around it is ONLY at night time and she is fine throughout the night).

When she does finally pass either or both she is instantly relieved and her pain subsides and although she is very tired all goes back to normal. I'm wondering if this is again symptoms of Colic? She did have 2 weeks of seeming to have overcome it all though and now it has returned. Could these be symptoms of something more serious?

Are there any suggestions for helping to relieve the pain that she is in when this happens as it can be quite distressing for us all! Have tried vaious drops but these do not seem to make a difference? NB. She is exclusively breast fed.

Baby Help Line Response:

Hi Michelle!

I feel so much for you! While most newborn babies have tummy pain to some degree, some babies certainly have it worse than others.

It must feel pretty bad that the symptoms are now back again.

For a start I would be surprised if this was something more serious than "only" colic or something similar, especially if the poop is normal once it somes out and since your daughter was fine for a couple of weeks.

But do talk to the same doctor again, just to be sure he is not judging it in some other way, with all the information he has.

Now, whether this is colic be definition or "just" severe tummy pain, you should of course do all you can to help your baby. Have you tried infant colic massage? I've done that for two of our kids, and it helped. Buy a book about it or ask the doctor.

In some case, it may also be of great help if Mom changes her diet a bit. Some babies are really sensitive to foods that make you gassy, such as broccoli, cabbage and beans, while others react on caffeine. Some babies are also greatly helped if moms excludes all dairy products from her diet.

You can also try drinking fennel or roiboss tea and even give a little bit to your baby, to mitigate the gas production.

I know in some places they also treat colic with Losec or similar, you can always discuss that with the doctor.

Finally, try breastfeeding your baby in a upright position, rather than the usual horizontal position. Have her butt resting in your lap and keep her as upright as possible. This way she is likely to swallow less air.

I really hope you daughter gets better soon. In most cases, babies' tummies are mature enough to stop hurting as much when they are around 3-3,5 months.

It will pass!

Take care,

/Paula

Comments for
Trouble Passing Wind and/or Bowel Movement

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Dec 04, 2008

one month will not have bowel movement
by: newmom

Hello I was reading a lot of posts and none really answered my questions. My son is one month old and has not been regular since he was born. We tried everything and have an appointment with a GI Specialist in January! He is formula fed and on Enfamil Gentlease. He is in excruciating pain all day trying to pass gas and have a bowel movement and he will not have a BM unless I give him a suppository. He will go immediately after that and then in the next hour or so or the next feeding he is back at it again and will not go again.

Could it be that his hole is not big enough to pass stool? When I change a diaper and I wipe him I can see some residue of a BM coming but that's as far as he gets it.

Anyone out there had or have this problem and what could it possibly be? We have tried pear and prune juice for the past 3 weeks nothing!

Mar 30, 2009

I feel your pain
by: Anonymous

My infant had trouble with passing his stool too. I took him to a pediatrician and she told me to give him miralax in his bottle....I give him 1 tsp twice a day and within a few hours of giving it to him he has a bowel movement. The miralax is very safe and some babies just need a little assistance the pediatrician told me. I know a lady that her 7 year old daughter is on it also to help her with the same problem. Some kids just need the help. I was giving my baby suppositories pretty much everyday also to help him poop and now I don't need to. Actually, I haven't given him one since I started the miralax. hope this helps.

Oct 04, 2009

new mommy
by: mrs fLores

Hi well I was reading ur posts and I seen someone had recommended to give a baby miralax for constipatioN or if a baby hasn't pooped in a couple of days . Well my question is that I have a newborn she is 3weeks old and she hasn't pooped in 1 day only is that ok ? I'm actually breastfeeding and bottle feeding. Would that have anything to do with her not doing poop in 1 day ? Or they don't have to poop everyday? I'm open to any suggestions or advice plzzz .. thank you

Oct 04, 2009

The formula
by: Paula

Hi Mrs Flores,

Most breastfed, newborn babies have bowel movements many times per day. Formula on the other hand makes babies much more prone to constipation. If your baby doesn't seem to be uncomfortable, then you can just wait and see for another day or so. If possible, increase the share of breast milk, that should take care of any tendency for constipation.

Congratulations to your baby!

Paula

Oct 10, 2009

Passing wind and making noise
by: Mumtotwins

My twins boys have a peculiar problem. They are 3 weeks old and are on breastfeed + formula. One of them passes wind all day. Looks like he has a gas factory inside!! The other one makes a whistling kind of noise all the time, while sleeping or awake. He also wriggles his body a lot, puts a lot of pressure and turns excessively pink. I am very confused. Their feed and poo is all normal. Any suggestions?