I think my son may be constipated...?

unless he is having hard, pellet like or really dry stools, he is not constipated; sounds more like he is having difficulty with gas to me; i don't see how he could be constipated and be going once a day; that's pretty normal...DO NOT give him ANY water unless directed by your doc; that can be dangerous to deadly in small infants, he gets all the water he needs in formula....call the doc if he is indeed having the hard pellet like stools and see what they recommend; if he's having normal movements (soft) then perhaps see what they suggest you do for gas.....

My son went through similar. He's 5 months now. He started of on Enfamil Lipil, they offer that at hospital so I continued with it, and he was super fussy, gassy, etc. I assumed it was the formula, (or you know, you try everything to see if it makes a difference), I too switched him to Gentlease for a little while. He did seem better.

Then I got some samples of the Enfamil Lipil, the one I had used originally, in the mail along with some brochures. It recommended to really try to use the original unless your completely sure because it has most benefits. He was almost 4 months by then, so I tried it out AGAIN...and his appetite picked up a bit! I've stuck to it since.

My son was born 1 month early at 5lbs9oz and I'm convinced it was just too strong for him at the time.

I also wouldn't recommend giving him water..

I cannot give you an advise on formula, never tried one, but I did used different techniques to help release the gases.

1 - Hold the baby's knees, bring them to the tummy and gently press the tummy down, this should help the gas to find the right direction out.

2 - you may try to put a tiny bit of any diaper cream on the tip of the digital thermometer and gently touch the baby' anus (don't try to push it in too far, just a gentle touch almost outside)

3 - you may try the "waterfall" technique taken from baby's massage - one hand starts on the upper side of the tummy and goes down , thyen the second hand does the same motion and so they alternate.

4 - also, try some clockwise movement with your hand on his tummy

I think 1 bowel movement is normal and completely fine, but if you see that the baby is uncomfortable because of gas pain, try those techniques, they really work! By the way, after the baby is 2-3 month old, the problem almost dissapears

Good luck!

Yes switch him I had the same problem with my son. Days after he was born he was constipated he even went a whole week without a bowel movement and the pediatrician said he will eventually get regular but i couldnt stand to see him suffer so i switched his milk to Gentlease(even though my pediatrician told me not to) when he was only 3 weeks old and it worked great he has regular bowel movements and he is now 9 1/2 months and its still drinking Gentlease.

Also if he is crying and is in pain you can give him 1/2 oz prune juice and 1/2 oz water once in the morning and once at night it will help him.

If he has a bowel movement a day he's not constipated. Heck, if he has two a week he's not constipated. It's completely normal for babies to grunt and strain and cry when they poo.

If the gas makes him uncomfortable then you might consider changing the formula - but water isn't going to do anything.

He may be just going through a difficult transition to the new formula - but it sounds like he's getting trapped gas. Gripe water is the surest remedy for that (we've used it for three generations in our family).

He's not constipated if he's still doing every day - if his bowel movements become much more infrequent, that's when you start worrying (and using SweetSimplicity's remedy)

WHen I first started my daughter on formula I had this issue as well. Except she went from pooping constantly to pooping once a day to not pooping at all....I took her to the doctor was told that it was normal, but i knew better. I said to the doctor...when you dont poop for weeks on end is that normal? COuldn't be comfortable. So I went out and bought her Similac Sensitive. and than I got her some suppositories for babies. Its a brand called pedia lax and it comes in liquid form. It helped her with the discomfort and helped her pooh until she was adjusted to the similac sensitive. She;s goes on a very regular basis now. You son might has a sensitivity to lactose. And I have tried giving her prune juice in her formula...it doesnt do anything.

Babies really do not need the extra water. Some doctors will tell you that it is unneccessary. As long as he is going everyday and it's not hard pebble like, he is probably fine. Babies at that age, will look and act like it is uncomfortable to have a BM because they aren't use to it and are trying to find away to be comfortable when it happens. Formula fed babies, in the beginning do not have as many BMs as a breastfed baby. If you are concerned, ask your Dr. they may have some more advice.

I have had the same problem with my daughter since she was about a month old. Pooping once a day is normal, but if it's hard then he's constipated. I know it's horrible to watch your child be in pain but since he's so young you have to call his doctor. Do not follow random peoples advice and you can't be switching his formula to what you think is right you could be doing more harm to your baby than good. So please call his doctor.

switching formulas may or may not work, I don't formula feed my kid so I can't answer you on that point, however I can offer some advice on the gas issue. my baby also started having gas issues at about a month old. it helps if you help him pass the gas. about 1 hour after he has eaten, (if you do it sooner, he might spit up all the formula which you just fed him.) hold up his legs, and push down on his tummy, until you hear the gas passing. also bend his knees up against his tummy until you hear some gas passing, and bicycle his legs a bit first clockwise, then counter clock wise. this should help.

good luck .