5 Week Old Won't Poop on Her Own

Hi Gina,
I'm surprised that two pediatricians have told you they think it's constipation!!!

I too was worried about my little guy who, from about 3 weeks old to now (3 months old), has only had about one poop per week!

At both his 4-week and 2-month well-baby visits the doctor told me that this was nothing to worry about. She said that babies often only poop every few days to one week and that, as long as the poop wasn't a hard ball when it finally came out (and as long as there are several wet diapers per day, which is the most important thing), then there was no need to do anything.

Sure enough, we have about 5 - 7 days between poops that are liquid "explosions" and will completely fill --- or blow out --- his diaper).

Since your baby's poop is soft, I wouldn't interfere with his normal pooping cycle with suppositories, etc. You definitely wouldn't want to give a stool softener of any kind.

By the way, my baby is always pushing and grunting, too. But it is tons of GAS that he is pushing out!! Unfortunately, the higher fiber foods make him even MORE gassy!! (I think it's a cruel irony that the more you eat healthy high-fiber foods / veggies, which are good for you and allow you to pass on great things in your breastmilk, the more your baby is gassy and uncomfortable --- and CRYING. I'm having a big problem with that right now). Oh well, such is life!

Anyway, good luck to you...I hope this helps!

Hi C.! Congratulations on your new baby girl! Girls are so much fun! Boys are fun too, but they don't like to wear frilly girly things! Anyhoo, I have an 11 week old baby girl and we had the same issue at around the same time. I just did the rectal thermometer thing (freaked my husband out! Ha!) and that worked somewhat. The Dr said it was normal for breastfed babies to go without "going" for a few days as their little digestive systems are maturing and growing. Just keep doing what you are doing and maybe cut out dairy from your diet. I noticed an immediate change in her poop and less gassy/fussy as soon as I gave up my morning glass of milk (OK it was chocolate milk, but I digress).

So good luck and enjoy the early days because they go by so fast!!

Breast milk is very digestible with very little solid residue so breastfed babies don't poop as frequently as bottle fed babies... it can be totally normal to only go once or twice a week - as long as when she goes it is soft... that being said, my son was strictly breastfed and he would strain so hard to go that he would vomit... he had major constipation issues and had to be on medication... I would NOT keep doing the rectal temp - there is a huge risk of perforation - we only do 1 rectal temp at birth on babies to make sure the anus is patent - then all axillary...

This happened to us when we got home from the hospital. Our little guy went about 6 days without pooping, and then when we gave the suppository, it came shooting out! Our doc told us not to use the suppository too often, because like you said, they get dependent apon it. So we tried not using it, and he went about 9-10 days, but then got it all out on his own. Keep in mind that he wasn't in pain, or showing signs of discomfort. Our doc said that it can be normal, and about 10 days is OK if baby isn't in distress about it. After the long stretch he seemed to get the hang of it, then he started pooping about 5-6 times a day and I missed the days of no poop! :) Hope this helps! Good luck!

My son was the same way. tablespoon Karo the yellow kind not the dark brown. Works and its safe. Also taking a rectal temp also helps for some reason. But I would give it about 7-10 days before doing anything.

When I had my twins I had the same problem.I was using suppositories all the time.Well after several doctor visits it was determined that the problem was the formula.I switched to 3 different formulas before I stayed with Prosobee.I saw tremendous improvement in their bowel movements.

Hooray for you for breastfeeding! Its not the easiest thing to start but once you get going its great. I just wanted to repeat the advice of the others. THIS IS NORMAL FOR BREASTFED BABIES. I breastfed both my girls and in those early days I only saw a poop every 5 days. As long as they don't seem distressed, they are fine. I also have to agree with the others who say not to use the rectal thermometer or medication (suppositories). Give it a few weeks she should start making more than you ever wanted.