Pooping?

[dragonfly1809]

Poor little Oliver gets so upset before he poops. I asked his doctor and she said it's totally normal as their little systems begin to function. He's just five weeks now. Most times, just before he fills his diaper he strains and cries - it makes me so sad.
My doctor said they grow out of this, but I can't remember what she said about when. When does pooping get easier for LOs?

[bethelgal42]

I remember when Anne was really little, we would kinda wheel her legs or rub her belly when she was struggling to poop. When she got old enough for gas meds, that helped too.

[wifey]

Tate was constipated for a week back then, and his Dr said it is not unusual. But man, the gas was crazy! It was almost like he waited until I nursed him to let it ride.

Tummy rubs and gripe water were very helpful to get things moving, as well as bringing his knees to his chest like he was riding a bike. We gave him a lot of gripe at that stage to help with the gas pains. Great product!

[meladorie]

Liam has the same problem. He cries and grunts and groans every time. I feel so bad for the poor guy.

[taberbtb]

B has the same problem. It is ALWAYS when she's nursing too, which means she's crying and squirming and pulling on my nips. Ouch.

[yummmy]

Levi had the same thing, still does sometimes. He would turn soooo red in the face from straining so much he looked like a tomato. My doctor also said it was normal, but we later learned it wasn't, so trust your instincts and seek a second opinion if you think it is more severe then just normal baby issues.
For normal baby issues I would agree with gripe water and gas drops as well as bicycle legs and helping them sit up to poop. I know he's really little but laying down makes it harder, putting him at an incline or sitting slightly when he starts getting like that and having gravity help him a little will help some.

[dragonfly1809]

Thanks ladies. I've been doing the bicycle legs and gripe water. I don't think its to an unusual degree, but I'll definitely keep a close eye on him. It's good to know he's not alone.

Thanks again for all your responses.

[KMW08]

It does get better. John still turns pretty red when he's pushing, but he no longer screams or cries out when pushing.

We are FF and at 8wks I changed formulas, as he started skipping poops occasionally (daily to every couple of days) and became a bear. When I switched his formula he started going twice a day and that was a game changer! Much much happier baby!

[KMW08]

Ohhh, a heating pad was amazing. The heat comforted his belly while getting him toasty enough to put him to sleep.