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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Newborn Suffering From Constipation After Being Fed With Formula. No Bowel Movements. What To Do Now?

My daughter is 11 days old & is breast & bottle fed. In the hospital they gave her already made similac advance formula and she was having regular bowel movements then we switched her to the powdered version with the baby nursery water & she became constipated. She s straining to pass gas & hasn t had a bowel movement since. Then we switched her to the powdered similac sensitive & nothing has changed. What should I do?
Mon, 28 Jan 2013
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Pediatrician 's  Response
Hi ,
Thank you for your query.
This is the result of feeding powdered milk.
The best solution would be to stop powdered milk and continue with breast milk.
Give the child a glycerine suppository.
If you want to continue with powdered milk then give additional water sometimes.If you have any further queries you are free to consult me.Hope this answers your query.Wishing your child a speedy recovery.Have a nice day.
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Pediatrician Dr. Synthyia Bhagat's  Response
Hi
Thanks for your query,
Babies become constipated with formula feed.
I suggest you to give EXCLUSIVE BREAST FEEDING.
You can add pinch of glucose in mother milk and give it 2 to 3 times.
Mother should take plenty of fluids,fruit juice,vegetable and avoid gas forming food items.

Wishing your baby good health.
God bless.
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Pediatrician Dr. Diana Divakar's  Response
Hi Mrs.Amanda,
Thank you for opting healthcaremagic.com to post your query and giving us this opportunity to clarify your doubts.
Well, first of all I would like to like to tell you that newborn babies may normally pass stools once every 8 to 10 days or even 8 to 10 times a day. Both these scenarios are absolutely normal in a newborn. The danger sign is only when they have abdominal pain and discomfort due to not passing stools, which they express as being very irritable, poor feeding, cranky, do not sleep well and abdominal distension or hardness. In that case, you might have to take your baby to your paediatrician who should be able to solve your problem within few minutes by a small maneuver.

About feeding, why is the baby on top feeds at day 11 of life. Initially, they give top feeds due to less milk. But gradually the milk increases and by a week, the baby should be on exclusive mother's milk. Mother's milk has many advantages over top feeds which includes building up the immunity, protective factors against certain infections,adequate electrolytes and water content. So, I would recommend you to switch the child on exclusive mother's milk and keep checking the weight at every visit to your doctor and monitor adequacy of feeds. This will also help the baby get over the constipation problem.

I hope I have helped you clarify your doubts and I will always be available in case of further doubts. Wishing you a very happy motherhood. Take care and stay healthy.
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Pediatrician, Surgery Dr. Anand Sinha's  Response
Hi
Thank you for your query
There are many warning signs which would require prompt attention. Else you can wait
1. Distended tummy
2. Vomiting especially green
3. Reduced intake
4. Fever or reduced body temperature
If your baby has these symptoms then you should immediately consult a pediatric surgeon. You need to also tell for how long your child has not passed stool. If it has been more than two days you should reach a doctor. Else you can wait a bit. Try to give her exclusive breast feed. If you are giving top feeds, try sweetening it a bit. Apply warm compresses near her anus.
Hope that helps.
God bless you
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Newborn Suffering From Constipation After Being Fed With Formula. No Bowel Movements. What To Do Now?

Hi , Thank you for your query. This is the result of feeding powdered milk. The best solution would be to stop powdered milk and continue with breast milk. Give the child a glycerine suppository. If you want to continue with powdered milk then give additional water sometimes.If you have any further queries you are free to consult me.Hope this answers your query.Wishing your child a speedy recovery.Have a nice day.