Hi

My baby is now nearly three weeks old (born 4 weeks earlly) he is doing so well. I am expressing milk feeding him with the bottle and also using formula.  I have started using aptamil formula powder. 

Just for the last day now he has not had a poo.  Is that normal???  he is still wetting his nappy normally, but just had not had a poo. Should I be worried?

 E

Hey Emma!! My son is 8weeks today and we changed to formula after 5 weeks (ish). We tried every type going because he got a bit "blocked up", and he seemed to be in pain and crying a lot. We have now put him onto Aptimil Easy Digest formula. He is fine now and pooping every day again. At first (on normal formula) he was only going every 3days!!! Aparently it's normal for them to get bunged up when starting formula, and I was advised to give him water twice a day to help... If your baby is seeming fine, but just not pooing for a few days at a time, then don't worry!!! But you can give him cooled boiled water (2 or 3oz) once or twice a day which will help. If he seems in pain with it, it might be worth trying the formula we changed to

Julz x

Hi Emma

When you are breastfeeding it is common for babies not to poop for anything up to 5 days!! 

My eldest Jacob once went the whole 5 days without going - he wasn't in pain, he was still wetting his nappy - he just didn't need to go!  

The fantastic thing about breastmilk is that because it's tailored to your babies exact needs - there is sometimes just no waste for a few days!  It's that good!  

At least, that's what my midwife told me anyway!  

My 2nd son Benji passed his first meconium poo - then didn't go for 3 days after he was born.. that was a bit more worrying but he went eventually and was non the worse for it   He then just went once a day at the same time - made for interesting dinner conversation as it was 8 o'clock in the evening when he started erupting and would often take 10 to 15 minutes to finish !

That said however - I agree with Julz - it might be the formula bunging him up a little.  If you think it is, he will be noticably uncomfortable and I would recommend a little olive oil on his tummy and rubbing clockwise to help get things moving if he seems in pain.  Talk to your HV or MW about the easy digest formulas available.

I used to drink a pint of orange juice when I was breastfeeding if the boys were actually constipated - worked a treat too

Hope you and he are doing well

 mG & boys x