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Does Lack Of Defecation For Two Days In A Newborn Require Medical Attention?

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Posted on 6 days ago
Question: my baby girl who is 11days now(born on this july 1) has not passed stools for 2 days..she was passing frequently before but since 2 days she is not passing stools.her feeding is good and urine output also good..i feel that she is in distress.mplease help me doc
doctor
Answered by Dr. Pradeep Kumar Jain (26 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
I won't get worried if she is feeding well

Detailed Answer:
Hello

Thanks for the query

I can understand your concern.
Passage of stool 6-7 times a day or once in 4-5 days is normal in this age.
I won't get worried if the baby is active,playful,accepting feeds well,passing urine and there is no vomiting.
Please let me know,what feed you are giving her(breast milk,formula feed).
If formula fed please check the dilution.
I would like to know if she passed stool(black colored meconium) first time within 24 hours of delivery.
Also I would like to get thyroid test done as it has been seen that the babies with hypothyroidism pass stool less frequently.
If there is no history of delayed passage of meconium and thyroid profile is normal I won't be overly worried.
If there is vomiting,her oral acceptance is poor or there is gross abdominal distension consult your pediatrician for further evaluation.

I hope this helps.
Please feel free to ask any further query.
Take care.
Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Pradeep Kumar Jain (12 hours later)
thanks doc..she passed stools once yesterday after i gave her some warm water...is it safe to do so..she is well fed and thyroid profile is normal
doctor
Answered by Dr. Pradeep Kumar Jain (19 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
I won't recommend you to give warm water

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for writing back


I won't recommend to give warm water rather I would suggest you to keep patience and observe the baby.
This will make a bad habit of giving things unnecessarily(this time you have given warm water,may b sugar water or gripe water next time).
So avoid these habits don't give any thing apart from feed as this increases the chance of infection.
Let her bowel pattern to be regular on feeds only.
As I mentioned earlier passage of 6-7 stools a day or once in 4-5 days is normal for this age.So if everything is OK just keep patience and observe the baby.

Regards
Note: For further queries related to your child health, Talk to a Pediatrician. Click here to Book a Consultation.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Pradeep Kumar Jain

Pediatrician, Cardiology

Practicing since :2006

Answered : 2074 Questions

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Does Lack Of Defecation For Two Days In A Newborn Require Medical Attention?

Brief Answer: I won't get worried if she is feeding well Detailed Answer: Hello Thanks for the query I can understand your concern. Passage of stool 6-7 times a day or once in 4-5 days is normal in this age. I won't get worried if the baby is active,playful,accepting feeds well,passing urine and there is no vomiting. Please let me know,what feed you are giving her(breast milk,formula feed). If formula fed please check the dilution. I would like to know if she passed stool(black colored meconium) first time within 24 hours of delivery. Also I would like to get thyroid test done as it has been seen that the babies with hypothyroidism pass stool less frequently. If there is no history of delayed passage of meconium and thyroid profile is normal I won't be overly worried. If there is vomiting,her oral acceptance is poor or there is gross abdominal distension consult your pediatrician for further evaluation. I hope this helps. Please feel free to ask any further query. Take care. Regards