Anyone ever have a newborn with constipation?

We have a regular Dr's appt next week but I am wondering if I need to call the Dr sooner?
For the past few days my 3 week old has been VERY fussy and she seems to be "straining" a lot- like she has to go to the bathroom but is having a hard time. She passes gas etc, but I have noticed that she is pooping less than usual. She used to poop a few times a day- now it's once a day and sometimes she even skips a day.
Last night my DH said she had a hard poop in her diaper too.
I am starting to think she is constipated- she is on Enfamil Gentlease formula to help with her gas- I am wondering if this would back her up?

Did anyone have this problem? What did you do to help?
Should I call the Dr? She is still pooping- just not as often and she seems to be having a hard time getting it out.
Help!!

Re: Anyone ever have a newborn with constipation?

It's not technically constipation unless she's pooping pebbles/stones

Is she still ok w/wet diapers? If so I would say she's fine...The straining face is normal, they're figuring out how its all working...

My DD had the same problem, would only poop every once in 2 or 3 days...around 4 months we started putting some prune juice in her bottles which kept her a bit more regular. When it was REALLY bad we gave her suppositories.

Now at almost 1yr old, she has whole milk, NO more prune juice and poops once or twice a day. It got better on its own.

Re: Anyone ever have a newborn with constipation?

Yes she is definitely ok with peeing- she has plenty of wet diapers.
So I don't think she is dehydrated.
I just feel so bad for her because she has been screaming all day and seems so uncomfy.
She did have a hard or pebble kind of poop last night- but my DH said her next poop looked normal.
So maybe she is just working it all out.

Thanks- it's so frustrating not knowing what is wrong with them ya know?

Re: Anyone ever have a newborn with constipation?

Re: Anyone ever have a newborn with constipation?

DS had this as well and our ped suggested suppositories or diluted prune juice (1oz prune juice, 1oz water).

We have used both and they have both worked.

Re: Anyone ever have a newborn with constipation?

DS was very gassy fussy during this phase. Ped recommended warm chamomile tea with brown sugar, and I added some fennel seeds too, as an old school remedy. Did wonders, calms him down and soon after he poops.

Boil 1 c water, add 1 chamomile tea bag, 1 tsp of fennel seeds, let steep for 5 min, add 1 tsp brown sugar. Don't know why brown sugar, but it worked so I never changed it up.

Re: Anyone ever have a newborn with constipation?

This is our exact situation right now. the gentlease is constipating chase, so I give him some water throughout the day and it seems to be helping, but not a lot, honestly

Re: Anyone ever have a newborn with constipation?

Posted by prncsslehcar

This is our exact situation right now. the gentlease is constipating chase, so I give him some water throughout the day and it seems to be helping, but not a lot, honestly

Re: Anyone ever have a newborn with constipation?

Re: Anyone ever have a newborn with constipation?

Posted by NervousNell

Posted by prncsslehcar

This is our exact situation right now. the gentlease is constipating chase, so I give him some water throughout the day and it seems to be helping, but not a lot, honestly

Hmmm- maybe it's the Gentelease then.
But the alternative is that on the regular formula she is SO gassy.
Ugh- it's such a guessing game with these formulas!