Is She Eating and Pooping Enough

Updated on December 06, 2008
M.W. asks from Kansas City, MO
13 answers

I'm wondering if my 4 wk old is eating enough. She eats 3-4oz every 3-4 hours. This probably seems like common sense but I'm just wondering. She falls asleep during most feedings and is only getting about 3 oz most of the time. She eats about 6 times a day this way. She has wet diapers so I assume things are going well but just need some reassurance, I suppose. Her poops though, are few and far between...maybe 1 a day. Is that normal too? It seems like with my son, he ate like a pig and pooed all the time and now with my daughter she's doesn't down her bottle and doesn't really poop. Ok, I'm rambling now but just wanted to see what others thought. Thanks for your advice in advance!

What can I do next?

  • Add yourAnswer own comment
  • Ask your own question Add Question
  • Join the Mamapedia community Mamapedia
  • as inappropriate
  • this with your friends

Featured Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.H.

answers from Wichita on

Sounds like she is eating enough and if she has frequent wet diapers it sounds like shes doing just fine! If her poo is hard and clay-like, she may be constipated but if its not and it comes easily, its probably just her body working the way that's best for her! Babies don't have the same "food sensor" as we do. They eat when they're hungry, and they don't when they're not. We tend to eat for comfort, because its "time" to eat, because we don't have anything better to do; babies don't do that. It sounds like shes getting plenty and I wouldn't worry. If you continue to worry about it or you notice that she strains to poo or its hard or clay like, then call the doctor and just ask about it. Chances are shes just fine. Hang in there, you're doing great!

More Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

R.M.

answers from Topeka on

IS your little one thriving??? Gaining weight?? Sleeping well??? Dont spend your time worrying....just relax...enjoy that precious little one. Write down all of your concerns...and take them in the next time you take her in for a well baby check...I am sure your Pediatrician is going to assure you that everything is fine. There is no "normal" amount of bm's for a baby...I wouldnt get concerned unless there is suddenly a huge CHANGE in the way her bowels are moving.

2 moms found this helpful

M.B.

answers from St. Louis on

It sounds like she is doing great. Im assuming she is on formula? When I was breastfeeding my kids they would poop at every feeding, but when I switched them to formula they would just poop once a day. My son (the new one) poops once a day or every other day. Again, it sounds like she is eating the right amount for her age. Have you taken her to her one month check up yet? You should write all your questions down for the doctor, I always forgot all of my questions if I didnt write them down. Good luck!

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

K.B.

answers from Wichita on

Good Morning M., I think your little one is doing ok. Once a day is a good day for us....lol Our 1 y/o gr son is cutting molars already and his poops are Vicious right now. Wishing he only had one a day. :))

All baby's and kids are certainly different, it may be normal to have 2 or three BM's a day for some and others one is ok.
As long as she is wetting she is probably just fine. Going to sleep while eating is normal also. It's sweet just to watch their precious faces in slumber.

I fell she is doing just as her little body is telling her. She is awesome little Princess, Congratulations Mom

God Bless you all
K. Nana of 5

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.B.

answers from Kansas City on

I agree with most of the advice that's been given. If your daughter is breastfed I wouldn't worry about it at all; let her eat what she wants, when she wants! I'm not as confident regarding formula, but in general babies eat what they need. If she's content, wetting diapers, and gaining weight, she's fine.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

D.L.

answers from Topeka on

This is normal but you are getting into a bad routine by letting your little one go to sleep while eating. Try to reverse it and feed when she wakes up so she will get more and it won't lay on her gums while sleeping creating dental problems later.

Don't stress,
D.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

K.B.

answers from Kansas City on

My doctor (and many hours of research) told me that as long as the baby is gaining weight and has regular wet diapers, that bowel movements can be as often as every changing to several weeks!! My son was 10.5 weeks premature and went a whole week without pooping and I thought he would explode. The reality is that they may be going through a growth sput and need every bit of the food they are consuming therefore there is no waste. So if you think she's consitpated, add 1 tbsp of dark karo syrup to her bottle until she passes a movement. This remedy came from several mommies as well as my doc! Good luck!

K.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

D.N.

answers from Kansas City on

Hi M.,

Your daughter is just fine. At four weeks, she only needs about 3-4 oz. If you add that up she is getting 18-24 oz a day which is good. Some babies only poop once a day. Unless she is not growing, She's fine. Don't worry, enjoy her. I had four kids, they are all grown and they all only ate 4 oz at that age.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

E.K.

answers from Lawrence on

M.,
There is a calculation for approximately how much your baby should be drinking. This was given to me by a lactation specialist. And again it is approximate. But take your daughter's weight in pounds and multiply that by 3. That will give you the number of ounces she should be getting in a 24 hour period. Then you can divide that # by how many feedings she is getting to determine if that is enough. As far as wet and poopy diapers go. You might want to ask a lactation consultant, but if I remember correctly it should be 6 or 7 a day. It may depend on whether your daughter is getting breast milk or formula.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

R.C.

answers from Wichita on

Wanted to add that nursing to sleep is fine! It will not cause dental problems.

Anyway others already answered your question, yes, she's probably fine. The measures are no so much volume of milk or frequency of pooping, as weight gain and frequency of peeing.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

K.H.

answers from Kansas City on

that many ounces seems appropriate at her age my son is 8 months and is only taking 4 ounces. The important thing to watch for is 6-8 wet diapers a day and if she is gaining weight. If you get to concerned about it take her into her pediatrician or wic office to get a weight check as long as shes growing there is nothing to worry about As for the poops once a day is fine for a bottle fed baby is the poop looser or real firm? if its not hard then shes ok. If she seems constipated call your doctor and ask about little tummys laxitives or adding brear rabbits molases in her bottle always got my little girl going

Good luck God bless

D.H.

answers from Kansas City on

Most bottle fed babies poop only once a day. As long as she is gaining weight then she is okay. Every baby is different, so she'll be different than your son. And remember she is a girl :-) Good luck and God Bless.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

B.S.

answers from Kansas City on

I can't get Ellie (almost 6 months) to eat more than 24ish ounces a day. Babies will eat what they need to eat and no more. I truly wouldn't worry. Per our Ped. "if she's peeing 3x a day and gaining weight- she's fine". I'm lucky (thrilled, honestly) if Ellie will poop once every other day (but she has multiple issues that hinder her going more). I think once a day is perfectly normal. My oldest (also 2.5) only did (and still does) go once a day, sometimes every other day.

For Updates and Special Promotions
Follow Us

Related Questions

Related Searches