[Bron1206]

My 4 week old DS in predominantly BF however requires a top up of formula in the late evening due to milk supply. The last few days he has become increasingly unsettled and uncomfortable when trying to open his bowels, the number of BM's have also decreased to 1-2 per day. His poo's are a yellow/mustard colour and a paste consistency. I have read that it can be common for newborns to become unsettled when trying to open bowels due to having to work out their digestive systems and that they can go days w/out having a BM however I am concerned that he is in pain. I have spoken to my mchn and rang a child health hotline nurse both of which said it is normal.
I'm wondering if anyone else has experienced this with their newborns? I'm also wondering if it's the formula.

TIA

[Lilybeth]

My DD is showing the same signs and is breastfed exclusively. They do tend to be unsettled at this age - I think she gets wind quite a bit too.

[Loz07]

Yep, my DD has always been a cranky pants at poop time, and she's 5 mo! All smiles after tho
You can try cycling his legs, gentle tummy massage and warm baths if needed to help move things along.

[Goggie]

Yep my DS is almost 5 months and I agree with the suggestions from Loz07. I also bought a naturopathic colic remedy from a pharmacy that aids digestion as well as a probiotic every night and I think it's improved. If you are in Victoria, look up William and Goldby pharmacy in boronia. You can order and pay over the phone and they express post it to wherever you are.

[lucky 2]

Hi, this unsettled behaviour in the evenings is common newborn behaviour and to be expected, it peaks at around 6-8 weeks of age. Babies usually do well when given the breast as needed, this is helpful for milk supply as when the breasts are at their softest they are producing milk at their fastest.
Ideally formula is not introduced so the baby can continue to work with the breasts and receive milk and comfort, formula supplementation interferes with this normal bfing pattern and does make changes in the gut.
Would you consider not using any formula especially if your baby is thriving?
The link below discusses normal behaviour and breastfeeding.
https://www.breastfeeding.asn.au/bf-info/co...80%93baby/fussy
All the best.

[Bron1206]

Thanks for the replies.

I have been giving DS a warm bath and also tummy massages and cycling legs along with taking his nappy off and generally after a good 20min or so he does open his bowels.

DS is also demand fed and put on the breast when required for comfort. I find in the late evening he will not settle without a top up, if I have EBM he is given that however sometimes formula is needed, I have discussed this with both my mchn and lc and a top up was suggested. I am putting him to the breast as much as he requires and expressing to boost my supply.

[porkchop's mama]

Bron, no advice but I'm in the same boat with my 2.5 week old. He is always v unsettled when needing to open his bowels. I'm mixed feeding as well. The crying distresses me more than him, I suspect.

X

[Bron1206]

Hi porkchop's mama,

It definitely is distressing, I hate the thought that he is distressed and experiencing discomfort. I have tried to ditch the one top up he does get thinking it may be the formula but it just makes him more unsettled.

What formula are you using if you mind me asking? I am thinking of switching.

[porkchop's mama]

Bron, I'm using nan HA gold. It was the one we used in hospital.

Today has been a shocker. It's 40C plus outside and I've already topped up with 160 ml of formula. I usually hang out until the evening at the earliest but bubs has been so distressed today. Outside of the usual bowel crying. He was getting hoot and bothered with his crying and 4 solid hours on the breast didn't help him at all.....

[Red nut]

Our 4 weeker gets quite cranky at times too, usually in the evening, and I kept trying to feed, mainly boob, but occasionally a bottle of formula. It can calm him, but I think we're figuring out he's actually overtired rather than hungry, and trying to take him for a walk in the sling instead, which seems to be a sure fire way of getting him off for a nap, and settling things down. Worth a try?

The crying is awful isn't it. Almost brings me to tears too, and you want to try anything to make it stop.