Bowel Movement Question

Updated on February 25, 2008
R.A. asks from Glen Ellyn, IL
8 answers

My son is 3 1/2 months old (I am breastfeding him) and up until 2 weeks ago was having a BM after each feeding. It has now decreased to 2 or 3 in a 24 period, which is fine. The problem is I think he is pushing with so much force that it shoots up his back. First of all, it is very disgusting and second, I am really tired of changing his clothes so often. Is there anything I can do about it. He is wearing size 1-2 as he is still in that age range - should I move up to the next size so it covers more of his back? Thank you for any advice.

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K.

answers from Chicago on

It's normal. Try either going up a diaper size or leaving some "extra" at his bottom so there's space and it doesn't get squished up his back. Honestly, we exclusively cloth diapered at this age and never had a blow-out the entire time (though we occasionally did with the disposables) - so it may be diaper-dependent. You can try switching brands of dipes to see if that helps too.

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T.S.

answers from Chicago on

Totally normal for BF babies. Our doctor warned us about it so we didn't worry about the lack of poops.

As for the up the back, our first son did this EVERYDAY, I swear. Our second son, like once a week. You can try a bigger diaper and see if it helps. Our 6M has been in size 3 since about 4 months now.

Good luck and if you think it's bad now...wait until he starts either formula or solids. Then things get REALLY interesting. ;)

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T.P.

answers from Chicago on

R.,
When babies are a few months old, their brain starts telling their digestive organs that it isn't necessary to have a bowel movement after each feeding. Their bellies are starting to get bigger at this age and starting to act more like ours - you may only notice a couple of poops a day, usually in the morning - just like grown-ups! This is totally normal and expected, especially for breastfed babies.

As for the blow-outs, other than trying a bigger diaper, I 'm not sure there's anything you can do about that!! Its gross, but everybody goes through it!!

Good luck!
T.

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J.P.

answers from Chicago on

Veteran moms call this a "blow-out." Yes they are a pain and totally gross but very normal. Wait till they start to sit up in an exersaucer, bumbo, etc...it happens all over again!! Welcome to motherhood!!!!

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L.S.

answers from Atlanta on

Hi R. - whenever my son started to do that, we went up a diaper size and it always helped. Good luck!

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S.

answers from Chicago on

When my son was that age, he too would go with such force that it would shoot way up his back, alot of the times hitting his neck. GROSS!! I took him to the doctor and was told that is just how some children are. I even tried bigger diapers but even that did not work. He is now 20 months and it does not happen anymore. The teachers at Kindercare would call it a blow out. hang in there

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N.L.

answers from Chicago on

My son is breastfed and he used to go everyday too, now he goes every 2-3 and when he does it is an up the back explosion. My doctor said some babies only go every few days. She said no concerns as long as it isn't hard poops. If hard poops, that is constipation.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

A.S.

answers from Chicago on

Going up a diaper size might help, but unfortunately, there is just kind of a stage they go through with the "explosive poops" ....he will outgrow it. I know it stinks (literally LOL) but all babies go through it.

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