Question

Newborns start experiencing difficulties in defecation after 5 days of birth. During the day, they only pass gas without stool, and their crying worsens at night. Parents are inquiring about the cause of this situation and what measures should be taken.

Answer

Newborns may begin to have trouble with bowel movements on the fifth day after birth, causing concern for parents and a search for solutions. Generally, if a baby’s bowel movements are regular but suddenly stop for two days or more consecutively, accompanied by reduced milk intake, frequent crying, and abdominal pain, it may indicate constipation. In such cases, certain measures can be taken to help the baby defecate. For example, applying some mineral oil to your fingers and gently massaging the baby’s anal area can be effective. Alternatively, using a cotton swab dipped in oil to gently insert into the anus for 2-3 minutes can stimulate bowel movement. These are the suggestions for the “only passing gas but no stool after 8 days of birth” issue. I hope this helps and wish your baby good health!