2 Month Old Won't Poop on His Own

Updated on January 29, 2011
V.V. asks from Roseland, NJ
9 answers

Hello...I'm new here and a first time mom. My little boy was born 4 weeks early. He's 2 months now and was doing great until the last 2 weeks or so he has not been pooping on his own. He screams and cries but he can't get it out. We saw the pediatrician and he said it was okay to use a q-tip with some Vaseline to help move things along. If I do this, gas comes out first then comes the poop. He's not constipated. It's soft/normal. He's a happy baby again. I'm nervous he will get dependent on this. 2 weeks now and he won't go on his own. I called the ped the other day and explained to him again and he said to change his formula from Goodstart to Emfamil Nutramigen. I tried for 3 feedings and he hated it. Didn't work for the poop, he kept stopping to burp every 1/2 ounce, would spit it out or struggle to suck. It's pretty thick. I am now back on the Goodstart but he still won't poop without my help. I have been trying not to use this method but its so hard when he is screaming and I know I can help him in less than 5 minutes. Anyone else go through this? I could use some advice. Thanks

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So What Happened?

Thank you everyone for your responses. We see the pediatrician again on Friday and I'll mention some of your suggestions.

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K.P.

answers from Seattle on

My son had a big problem with gas, and therefore will cry and scream, its so sad, so what we did was switch to soy formula, I tell you it has done wonders for him. He is much happier baby now. I say try different types of formula until you get the one that makes him happiest. Try each for a few days and see if it helps. Poor guy hope you find him better relief soon.

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I.S.

answers from Seattle on

I went through this with one of my twins. They too were born four weeks early, and for a bunch of different reasons, I eventually went to formula.

It happened with my little girl. We were first on the similac regular (blue can) but my daughter had horrible gas issues, and so we switched to the soy formula reddish pink can(I wasnt aware of the sensitive--orange can). With that it was horrible, she hated the taste..it was a battle to get her to drink it, and though she didn't have gas anymore..her constipation was constant, though she was able to go on her own with some severe pushing. She was maybe 2-3 months old at that time. Finally, we switched her to similac sensitive (its milk based, but lactose free) and it was like a godsend. No more gas, fussiness, constipation and she ate it with no issues. I would suggest you make an appointment with the ped. and explain then the reasons and your concerns, and the issues you had with the formula. It is always a good idea to talk to the babys doc before blindly switching to a new formula. I really hope you get it worked out though.
One thing that worked for my little girl was to give her some Karo corn syrup in her bottle..either dark or light. It does add some extra calories, but it softens the stools. Maybe mention it to the doctor?..I know they all have different opinions on that.
Good luck, I hope you are able to get your little guy doing better.

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P.K.

answers from New York on

I would be a bit concerned. Could there be some kind of anatomical or
medical problem going on. If you do not get any satisfaction from your
ped. I would take him to a ped. gastro just to be on the safe side. Hope
things improve.

Updated

I would be a bit concerned. Could there be some kind of anatomical or
medical problem going on. If you do not get any satisfaction from your
ped. I would take him to a ped. gastro just to be on the safe side. Hope
%

Updated

S

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B.V.

answers from Biloxi on

OI was having issues with my one month old kind of like this. He was on breast milk & for certain breastfeeding issues I was supplementing with Goodstart formula as well. After 3 days without a BM I called the ped. & was advised to give him half of a suppository. I did, but still had issues with him struggling so hard to poop...even after the suppositories and massaging his tummy, & giving him Gripe Water. I made the decision to change his formula to Enfamil Gentlease. This helped so much, & the formula is not as thick as the Nutramigen. Trust your instincts though, if you feel like it's more than a formula problem keep pushing the issue. You're with your baby more than anyone, so you know the situation better than anyone else does.

T.B.

answers from Chicago on

I wouldn't worry about him becoming dependent if it helps him. He's only 8 weeks old- whatever gives him relief, do it. Poor baby. :( He was able to poop without help before, and he should be able to do it again, eventually. Ask you doctor for a referral to a pediatric gastroenterologist. They can give you some help, and find out why he's not able to do it on his own.

Good luck to you and your little one,

T.
Barefoot Books Ambassador
www.ReadandGrow.com

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C.M.

answers from New York on

This happened to me with my first born. He is now 4 yrs old. Basically he would not poop daily or would be super constipated due to the milk. Doctors gave me the same advice (qtip/vaseline etc) but I did not really want to keep doing that. I know doctors say to not give babies water but I went against this and used my best judgement by giving him sips of water, like 1 oz every few days and that helped a bunch. I think the water helps flush their system and releases some of that constipation. Works wonders!

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M.L.

answers from Los Angeles on

I think you should try Soy formula it worked for my kids when they were small and they had similar issues and yes I though the same thing, they would depend on the q-tip all the time.

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T.H.

answers from Kansas City on

Hmmm, I haven't heard of this issue so young. I'm sure you are worried. I do know that the doctors usually say to give a new formula 2 weeks before you make a judgement as to whether or not it works better. I had to change my son's formula a few times for various reasons and each time he was sort of constipated all over again so if you only did it for a day you may not have given his body a chance to get used to it. But, that being said, if this is his only issue and he exhibits no other signs, I'd be hesitant to just say switch formulas and it will be better. How often was he pooping before this? On the flip side, if he's not getting better than I suppose I might try it to see if it works...gosh I'm no help, huh?! I just contradicted myself! ;) LOL! If the doctor thinks you should change I might give it a more significant try, but before you do call your ped and explain the situation again, including what happened when you did give him the new formula and see what they say. Good luck!

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S.H.

answers from Honolulu on

Maybe, the problem is he has gas.
It is not pooping time.
Just gas.
Maybe he is screaming/crying, because he has gas.... then as an association, when you insert the q-tip, then poop is coming out.

Gas causes pain.

I have 'heard'.. that if you always use things to help them poop, the body gets reliant on that.

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