Hi Moms... I didn't want to put the word poop in the subject but you know what I mean! My little one is 5 1/2 months old and is strictly breastfeeding. She eats well, is gaining weight normally, is very happy throughout the day, sleeps well at night and normally has plenty of wet and dirty diapers. About two weeks ago, she went several days (4 or 5, I think) without pooping and we were a little concerned. Then once she went she was right back on schedule, going every day or every other day. Now she has only gone twice in nine days. Once last Sunday and once last Thursday- four days ago. Everything else is very normal so I feel like it is nothing to worry about, but would feel better if there was another Mom who had experienced something similar.
My d also did that a few times. The doc said that as long as she didn't appear constipated or in pain not to worry about it. Her tummy was never swollen or hard and she never seemed to have problems.
I exclusively breastfed my son for 7 months before introducing solid foods. Until he was about 4 months old he would poop at least once a day (ususally several times). He then began pooping only about once every 8-13 days. My pediatrician said that as long as he was happy and growing well that I shouldn't be concerned. He explained that breastfed babies his age almost completely "use" all the milk. Because it is so nutritionally complete there is very little waste.
Sounds typical... my daughter would go 8-9 days without going and then her farts smelled so bad she'd stink up our bedroom and I was afraid to leave the house wothout a bucket just in case the "mother lode" came! Breast milk is so completely digested that sometimes the BMs don't cause much pressure for many days. You know its all right by the very satisfied look in your little one's face when she finally goes ;)
Sounds like you're doing great.
My daughter, who was strictly breastfeed, went on a "poop strike" as well. She would go about a week between BM's. No need to worry. I think it's realitively normal. Once she starts solids, she'll become much more regular (especially once she's eating green veggies). My daughter is 14 months old, and now has about 3 poopy diapers a day. Just enjoy the lack of poop while it lasts! :-)
When she had a poopy diaper, was it like a jar of Grey Poupon exploded in the diaper? If so, she's just fine!
When my son was taking expressed bm, he could go up to a week without a BM and then BAM - super-blowout!
You really only need to be concerned if the stool is hard and dry, pellet like, or if she is grunting/struggling/straining and has a distended belly.
C., rest assured that this is normal. I am the mom of two, a 3 1/2 yr old and a 7 mo. old. They are/were both exclusively breastfed. My older daughter was very regular. A few poops a day everyday. But my baby goes once every few days now. I have read plenty on the subject as well as discussed it w/ her pediatrician. Breastfed babies can have a big range of what's considered normal when it comes to bowel movements. I have found that increasing the fiber in YOUR diet can help. Something as simple as raisin bran for breakfast and adding dark leafy greens to dinner had her back on track. (I want to also add that for the 2 1/2 years I nursed my oldest, that I was a full active member of the Le Leche League where I learned a wealth of information about all things breastfeeding)
Infrequent BM does not necessarily mean constipation. If the BM is soft and baby seems comfortable, why take action that could make baby uncomfortable? My first child would go 8-9 days in between - each BM was a nightmare blowout. That continued until she switched to formula at about 6 months when I went back to work. One piece of advice - if you do end up having to switch to formula, do so gradually so the transition from soft to firm BM will be more gradual and less shocking for baby!
Of course it never hurts to discuss your concerns with your pediatrician...
TOTALLY normal at this age. My ds would save them up and only poop on Saturdays! LOL At least dh was home then, because they were major.
Have you read Dr. Sears book? The Baby Book was great for me and really helped calm me down as a first time mom.
My son was the same way. He would have a dirty diaper about once a week. As long as she is breastfeeding only, I think just about any frequency is normal.
very normal for breastfed baby, as long as it doesnt bother he. some go up to 11 days...enjoy!
Hi there. I am also a first time mom to Greta, 6 and a half months old. I had exactly the same situation as you--she was very normal, pooping every day or maybe two days, then all of a sudden went for 5 days or so. And everything is/was fine! There was no problem at all, I think it's even happened twice. She doesn't seem to be in any discomfort whatsoever--I think it was just me that was uncomfortable for her! :) I remember the doctor once told me that all the way up to pooping only once a week--all the time--is normal for babies. So I really think you have nothing to worry about. good luck!
A.
totally normal, don't worry about it! they can go up to 10 days or 2 weeks without cause for concern. i know, sounds crazy! but because they're only eating breastmilk, they're basically getting whatever they need & using pretty much all of it. no worries. if you're really concerned tho, call your ped & they'll set your mind at ease. :)
My friend's son is like that, her doc told her as long as it's once every 4-5 days, that's fine. She says if he goes a little long she just does a rectal temperature check and it triggers it. My kids always went once or twice a day so I was shocked by that, but her doc said it wasn't abnormal, so don't freak just talk with your doctor about it when you go next time. Until then, get a rectal thermometer for when you think it's been too long. Go with your instincts and you'll do fine.
don't worry. breastfed children can't get constipated. the milk is just so good that their little bodies use all of it and there's no "waste" to be had! when my daughter was small she'd poop every 4-5 days and i was fond of saying that what she lacked in frequency she made up with in quantity! i remember cutting her out of a onesie one time :) it'll even out when you start introducing other foods to her (and smell pretty bad, too!).
My son just turned 1, but while I was breastfeeding him (up to about 5 months) he pooped once every 5-7 days. If it went any longer than that, the doctor told me to give him some pear juice mixed with water.
My daughter is 6 mos old and has the same frequency and has for several months. Her Dr said it is totally normal, some babies go less often particularly with breast milk because it is so efficient (very little waste). As long as my daughter isn't uncomfortable, isn't struggling or having very solid bowel movements, it is considered normal.
A.
A little about me:
Mom to a 3 1/2 yr old son and 6 mo old daughter.
This happened to my six month old son. My sister, mother of three and wife of a pediatrician, suggested we try the "thermometer" trick. Insert a rectal thermometer in to the rectum as if you were taking her temperature. Then move it around gently for about a minute. This stimulates the bowel. Within twenty minutes or so, you should have "results". It worked like a charm for us.
The other thing you can do is try giving her prunes every day to see if that helps move things along, although the results won't be quite as immediate as using a thermometer.
I was concerned about this with my first child. The ped said that as long as she goes every two weeks, yes, two weeks, that all is ok. She was also exclusively breastfed. The really never went more than 5 or 6 days. No harm in checking with nurse or dr. at ped's office.
My breastfed babies always pooped at least once every day, and I think that's normal, but you should talk to your doctor. I would change your diet. Eat things that would make you poop, and don't eat things that will constipate.... no bananas.... Try eating lots more fresh fruit. That should work. Her diet depends on yours....
I had the same fear with mine but the dr. said that it's pretty normal and to make sure your baby doesn't go a whole WEEK wihtout a bm but 5 days is fine if the baby seems happy. if the baby's TRYING to go and is upset, prune juice (u can mix it with milk or give it by dropper if you're nursing) is good or u can take a rectal thermometer and try to palpate the butt to make the poop come out. If your baby is happy don't worry about it. If you're really scared call your pediatrician but this is what mine told me and my kid's now 8m and happy.
Look mother you are a first time mother with reasonable concerns, its better to be safe than sorry, always take your concerns to your doctor they won't mind its thier job. Good luck
I had the same issue with my son. His doctor told me that this was common with breastfed babies. She also told me to give him a teaspoon of prune juice to help his bowels move. It actually worked!
