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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Causes Chronic Constipation In An Infant?

Hello, my baby is 8 weeks old and he didnt poop for 9 days already. He is breastfeeding, no fever, stomach is soft, no vomiting. He is ganing weight and pees very often. We tried everything: glycerin, gripe water, thermometer, prune juice -nothing helps. We have seen 3 pediatricians already who said that its fine, we just have to wait. However, all our relatives are very worried and pushing us to go to er and to do sanogram or xray. I am not excited to spend 9 hours in er with my baby, plus, bringing him under radiation... Please, advice me what to do. Should i really to be worried and run to er? Or should i wait few more days?
Mon, 7 Mar 2016
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General & Family Physician 's  Response
Hi,
Thanks for the query.
I understand your concern.
A breast fed baby comfortable , has normal activities, sucking the breast well.. may not pass motion for 8-10 days. please don't worry & observe her for few days.Take her to ER in case baby starts crying, is restless, not taking feeds, abdomen gets tight & painful to touch.
cause for such constipation can be-
- baby is taking insufficient milk. At this age, baby is still learning to take breast feed. she may take longer time to satisfy her hunger./ she may get exhausted & sleep in between ( in such case try to wake her up gently & continue feeding). So a patient approach & persistent efforts to feed her well are needful, till she learns.
- Breast milk has more of water in( fore milk ) first part & hind milk has nutritive part. If baby is taking just the foremilk & sleeping away.. she is not getting nutrition.. to form stools.& so no motion & more urination.
* the effort should be to encourage good sucking/a full breast feeding ( for 20-30 minutes ).
Thanks.
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What Causes Chronic Constipation In An Infant?

Hi, Thanks for the query. I understand your concern. A breast fed baby comfortable , has normal activities, sucking the breast well.. may not pass motion for 8-10 days. please don t worry & observe her for few days.Take her to ER in case baby starts crying, is restless, not taking feeds, abdomen gets tight & painful to touch. cause for such constipation can be- - baby is taking insufficient milk. At this age, baby is still learning to take breast feed. she may take longer time to satisfy her hunger./ she may get exhausted & sleep in between ( in such case try to wake her up gently & continue feeding). So a patient approach & persistent efforts to feed her well are needful, till she learns. - Breast milk has more of water in( fore milk ) first part & hind milk has nutritive part. If baby is taking just the foremilk & sleeping away.. she is not getting nutrition.. to form stools.& so no motion & more urination. * the effort should be to encourage good sucking/a full breast feeding ( for 20-30 minutes ). Thanks.