Bowel Movements

Hi L.

I had one baby that was BF and one that was formula fed. My formula fed baby went every day...but I think even with formula they can go a few days w/o pooping. I would double check with your pediatrian on how many days is OK between poops. Also just so you know, some formulas can cause constipation. My 2nd baby that could not nurse b/c of nerve damage to his suck reflex had to take a bottle. We had to try 3 formulas before we found one that he could tolerate. He had very hard stools! Once we found one that he could take his stools became soft and mushy.
Not sure if any of that helps. Good Luck.

Hey L.. I am suprised that your bf baby only went once every couple of days. My boys both went like everytime I fed them. All babies are different. I ask my doc the same questions. He said that it is about normal for one bm everday or every other day. So yes that is normal. I would be conserned about only going once a week on formula. Hope this helps!
T.
www.EnhancingYourWayOfLife.com

L.,

Due to the differences in composition between real breastmilk and artificial formula, these changes in bowel habits are perfectly normal. Breastmilk is naturally easy to digest, and while many b'fed babies (like my first) have multiple bowel movements a day while exclusively breastfed, others (like my second) would only have a bm every few days. Because formula is harder to digest, there is usually more "bulk" to it, which equals more frequent poops. If a formula-fed baby is not having a bowel movement every day, there *may* be cause for concern, because formula can be constipating, while b'milk is naturally laxative. If you still b'feed some of the time (like at nights when you're not working), this may help keep your baby from being constipated, even if she doesn't go all the time. My younger son didn't have a poop every day until I started introducing solids and other liquids into his diet (I exclusively b'fed him, tho--never any formula).

Once-a-day poops are normal (but more or less frequent is not necessarily a cause for concern). What is a cause for concern is if she seems to be straining when she goes, or if she cries, or the poop is hard, or if it has any blood in it. (The blood may be due to hard poop slightly tearing her rectum, or may be due to the formula being too hard on her tummy--consult a doc if you see any blood, because it's not a good thing, but it does happen sometimes, and is usually not serious.) If she strains or anything (more than just slightly red in the face, or grunting), then she's likely constipated. You can try to switch brands of formula, or offer her water or juice at times. Some people might recommend diluting the formula, but do that with care, because you want to make sure she's getting enough nutrients and not just a certain number of ounces.

However, it sounds like everything is normal, because she's going once a day.

Trust your "mommy instinct"!

K.

I did the same as you when I went back to work :-) Being on formula they do poop alot more... I would say 1-3 times a day with my little girl. Good Luck!

I did not breast feed my son when he was a baby, I had to use formula and he pooped every day. I worried when he didn't poop every day. His doctor said that he was fine. When my son was constipated or didn't go after a couple of days (tummy will feel hard and they will let you know), apple juice will usually work. He advised us to not use unnatural means to get him to go, like supositories. He said that will mess up a chid's ability to go without help. My son is 6 and he still goes every day.

My daughter is 11 weeks old. For the first 7 or 8 weeks, I breastfed her and also supplemented with formula. It was normal for her to have a bowel movement every day or two. Once, she went three days without a bowel movement and didn't seem to feel well so I called the doctor. I was told that after three days of no bowel movements, they consider the baby constipated. She ended up having a bowel movement later that night. Now she is completely formula-fed and has a bowel movement every day. And my doctor says that she is perfect so I would say that bowel movements almost every day are normal if she is getting both breastmilk and formula. She'll probably start having them every day if/when you switch to only formula. I hope this helps. :)

Hi- what you're describing is totally normal for baby poops. I think you will find (as a previous poster said) that poops while BF will be softer than poops while FF. I was told by the pediatrician that breastmilk is tailored so perfectly that there aren't many by-products. Not that formula is bad, or that anyone should feel a minute of guilt over using formula. I wasn't able to BF my children due to health issues (I have Lupus and Sjogren's Syndrome, which is a lack of fluid in my body). But, I did pump for the first 6 weeks and supplement with formula (it took me 24 hours to pump 4 ounces!).

As far as how long a FF baby can go- I think you'll hear from your ped that he/she won't be concerned until it's at least 10 days. And even then only if it's hard little balls. My daughter (she 5 now) has had a "slow gut" all of her life. Once they start associating pain with pooping, you're likely to see issues with potty training, stress (like starting school), etc. I know your baby is only 4 months, but just keep that info in the back of your head.

Good luck!
J.

I have a 15 month old and I breast fed for 10 to 11 months. I was the opposite. While breast feeding she had a bm every day, sometimes twice a day. She was so close to a yr that I didn't give her formula. I went ahead and started organic whole milk. She wouldn't go for several days. I asked the dr when I took her to her check up and the dr told me to use the glycerin supositories if she didn't go for 2 days... in other words on the 3rd day use the supositories. She said that the whole milk has bigger proteins that are harder to digest and that was one of the things that they look for in the transition from breast or formula to whole milk. I wouldn't think that you should let her go more than a few days without a bm but if she is going every day I would think that you definitley do not have anything to worry about. I would rather her go every day if it were me. At least you know all her parts are working properly.

My daughter's pediatrician told me that bowel movements are differnt depending on whether you breastfeed or use formula. In my daughter's case, while she was breastfed, she had several small bowel movements a day, but once I switched her to formula, her bowel movements decreased. Every child is different, but I do know that changing from breastfeeding to formula can change a child's bowel movements. Hope this helps.

M. M.