Is Your Newborn Not Pooping but Passing Gas?

Your baby's bowel movements will require a lot of your attention during the first few weeks and months of parenthood. The primary markers of appropriate and healthy development in infants are their food intake, weight gain, and bowel habits. On average, newborn babies poop between 2 and 10 times a day. 

However, each infant is individual, so the number of diapers you need to change daily may vary slightly. To analyze whether the child is defecating sufficiently and whether stool retention is a sign of illness, below we will discuss infant constipation and gas as well as ways to help your baby poop.

Why Baby's Poops Are Important and What They Should Be

How your baby poops depends on many factors. Most often, in the first 6 weeks of life, you will have to change the diaper at least 5-6 times a day. This will be an indicator that the baby's digestion is gradually adjusting.

Babies who are breastfed occasionally poop more frequently than those who are fed formula. The stools also differ in terms of color and consistency. You should choose an organic formula with a soft composition that ensures easy milk digestion if your baby is not breastfed. One of the leaders in sales on the market is HiPP Formula.

Here are the main signs of normal bowel movements in babies:

• The color of the stool varies from light brown to dark mustard.
• Its consistency is liquid or granular when breastfed, while it is more solid when formula-fed.
• The smell of the stool changes with the introduction of complementary foods and becomes more pungent.

If your baby poops every day, you probably have nothing to worry about. However, if there is a delay in bowel movements or the child is often capricious, this situation requires close monitoring.

Gas and Constipation in Newborns: Everything You Need to Know

Some babies don't poop as often as they should. After the 6th week of life, the number of bowel movements per day can decrease significantly. It is not a sign of digestive disorders.

However, from birth to 6-7 weeks, babies should poop more often. If a newborn farts a lot but doesn't poop, this may indicate constipation.

What Is Constipation?

Loose and hard stools, sometimes accompanied by crying, are constipation. It signals that the baby cannot digest milk and the gastrointestinal tract is disturbed.

In the case of a newborn not pooping but passing gas, formula fed can be crucial. To avoid constipation in children who are formula-fed, it is worth preferring proven and high-quality baby food such as HiPP Dutch Organic Formula – Stage 1, which is made in Germany and contains numerous vitamins and minerals.

Key Signs of Constipation

Some babies have less frequent bowel movements and this does not always mean they are constipated. Its signs include:

• Infrequent and hard stools.
• Blood in the bowels.
• Frequent spitting up.
• Feeling irritable and crying.
• Long straining before a bowel movement.

If most of the symptoms are present, you should probably see your pediatrician. If your breastfed newborn farts a lot but doesn't poop for several days, you may also need the help of a certified lactation consultant. It is possible that you are not latching your baby on correctly or you do not have enough breast milk.

Can Switching Formula Cause Constipation?

Yes, switching from one formula to another can cause digestive and bowel problems in babies. However, this is not the only reason you have to pay attention to. Others may include:

• Allergic reaction.
• Illness.
• Introducing complementary foods.
• Switching from formula to breast milk and vice versa.

If after the examination the pediatrician decides that a change of formula is necessary, you may select the most suitable one and never encounter constipation again. If you need high-quality and safe baby food, Holle Formula may be the solution.

Remember that you should not give your newborn baby medicine without consulting a doctor. It can be harmful to the baby's health.

Newborn Farting a Lot but No Poop: Is It Normal?

All babies fart. This is normal from birth to adulthood. Sometimes parents are worried about farting in babies but it is often not a problem. If your baby's food is suitable for your infant, you can continue to feed the formula but choose a stage that is appropriate for older children, such as HiPP Stage 2 Dutch.

Gas and constipation newborns may face is not always a sign of any disorder or disease. If your baby farts but does not poop often, it may be a feature and not a problem.

Here is a list of signs that your baby's bowel movements are not a cause for concern:

1. The baby is active and cheerful.
2. You are observing a steady weight gain.
3. The discharge is soft and does not have a strong odor.

If everything is fine and the baby looks completely healthy, you can continue to breastfeed or use formula. After the transition to the second stage, you can switch to HiPP Dutch Stage 3 and introduce new complementary foods at the same time.

So, is it normal for a newborn to fart a lot? In most cases, yes, babies can fart from the first day of birth. Their digestive system is just forming and adapting to feeding.

How to Help Your Baby Poop

If you don’t notice any symptoms of constipation and your baby is doing well on an organic formula like Holle Formula Stage 2 or any other, you don’t have much reason to worry.

However, if your baby is passing gas but can’t poop, you can help. Here are some techniques that stimulate your baby’s bowel movements:

1. Abdominal massage. Newborns’ digestive systems are very sensitive, so massaging their tummy clockwise can be very helpful. Make sure it’s been at least 1-1.5 hours since their last feeding and start. Gently stroke their tummy clockwise. Continue massaging for 5-10 minutes.
2. Knee pulls to tummy. You can do a little gymnastics and pull your children’s knees to their tummy, slightly spreading them to the side. This may be the best position to help newborn poop. You can do 10 repetitions, provided that the baby has eaten at least 1 hour ago.
3. Putting babies on their stomachs. One hour after feeding, put the baby on the stomach. This will activate digestion, help release gas, and provoke pooping.

Over time, you will introduce more and more new foods and the baby may poop less often. You can continue to feed the baby with formula and switch to Holle Formula Stage 3 when the appropriate age is reached.

In case, a newborn constipated but passing gas, this requires attention but not always worries. Each child is an individual, so bowel movements may be less or more often. You should monitor diapers and consult a pediatrician if you notice constipation.