any advice for a grunting 6 week old?

Aisha - posted on 02/05/2009

My doctor said that any grunting or looks of discomfort is nothing to worry about as long as the poop looks healthy. If it does not come out hard and it is nice yellow breastmilk poop dont do anything. I live by that rule. If what comes out looks alarming than I see the doctor. But if all comes out healthy than leave it be. My doc also said it is very very normal for babies to not poop for three days. If it goes longer than that than call. My husband always worried about that. Said he would be grumpy and grunting if he didnt poop for two or more days! My little boy still grunts and dosent poop everyday and is colic on top of things. This is why I took my little one in. Thought he was crying because he couldnt poop. Turns out all is well there just colic. Hope this helps you out.

Jessica - posted on 02/01/2009

My baby definitely made grunty sounds when she was that age, she is 5 months now and she doesn't do it as much.  I wouldn't be worried, If she is not gaining weight and projectile vomiting then maybe your doctor can check out the breastmilk allergy but I don't think that is necessarily what is happening in your case.  Us moms can get so obsessed over gas and poop it's hilarious.  If you really think she is uncomfortable you could try laying her down on her back and pull her knees up to her tummy and gently rub her belly in circles.  Also when you are breastfeeding apparently you should avoid spicy foods or things like caffeine and chocolate, these things can make baby uncomfortable.  Good luck!

Missy - posted on 01/31/2009

I'm allergic to peanuts too and it stinks!  I hate it.  Everything either has peanuts in it or was manufactured in  a plant with peantus.  Very frustrating!  Babies do have really sensitive tummies.  Tummy massage does really help.  When my daughter was in the NICU she slept on her tummy to help digest her food.  I would let her sleep on her tummy during naps as long as you are right there watching her.  There are also colic tablets that you can get.  They are Hyland's brand and they work well.  Also, for the future Hyland's Teething Tablets are a lifesaver when they start teething.  I recommend these two tablets often because they work so well.  My daughter is two and still give her the colic tablets when she has an upset tummy.  Have you tried the gas drops or gripe water?  Those are also good, but I just really liked the tablets because they worked so well.  My daughter did get a lot of gas drops as a newborn.  You can pump her legs (I think it's called the bicycle exercise) to help get the gas out.   A lot of breastfed babies just don't poop a lot so I wouldn't be too concerned with that.  I know my daughter would go a week without pooping and then she'd poop like five times.  I don't know if you have experienced that yet, but you probably will.  You are doing an amazing job.

Jody - posted on 01/31/2009

I was about 1 month old when they told my Mum to stop feeding me. Funny thing is that after about 4 months of soy formula she put me on normal formula and I was fine. I only have one allergy which is peanuts. Her grunting is subsiding. One of my friends said that some newborns have really sensitive tummys until they are about 3-5 months old. So i guess I will just persist with it. The doctor said that as long as she isn't throwing up her food or tucking her legs up tight it's just the normal newborn grunting. So we will see i guess.



Thanks to you for the comments!!

Missy - posted on 01/30/2009

I think grunting is pretty common in newborns.  Have you talked to the doctor about it?  Also, your child won't be allergic to your milk but to something in your diet.  Most of the time the first thing you do is stop eating dairy (all dairy) for a couple of weeks to see if it makes a difference.  But newborns really do love to grunt. 

Kaitlyn - posted on 01/30/2009

how were they able to tell that you were allergic? This concerns me because my son is a MAJOR grunter and I am breastfeeding him and I have a BUNCH of allergies that I hoped he would never get, so maybe he has them? How old were you when she found out you were allergic?