My daughter who is 11 weeks old and breastfed only, keeps going 7, 10, 12+ days without having bowel movement and then she will have one big one. I have already contacted her pediatrician and have tried baths, karo syrup, juice, the thermometer, and formula bottles. NOTHING WORKS. I went through this with my first daughter and nothing worked for her either, she just eventually grew out of it. My main concern is, how am I supposed to know if this is normal for her OR if she is constipated??? She doesn't seemed bothered by it to much. Every once in a while she might seem like she is straining though. Or, do you have any suggestions on something that might help her have a BM? Thanks
Answer QuestionAnswer by SleepingBeautee at 7:50 PM on Mar. 20, 2010
Credits: 148200 Level 42
Babies (0-12 months) Minor
Our little guy was like that. We had to use suppositories for him.
Both of my children were breastfed and both went thru this....tho it was not constipation. Sometimes breastfed babies have very little waste left from the mother's milk. They use every bit of it, and that's a good thing. Please don't take her to the hospital for a non emergency issue. This only clogs ER's and makes a longer wait for people with real emergencies.
Answer by Anonymous at 8:00 PM on Mar. 20, 2010
Normal for an EBF baby, as long as when she DOES go, it's not dry, hard or pellet like. I believe the record in the Breastfeeding Moms group is 20 days. My son was every 8 or 9 days. DO NOTHING as long as the stool is soft. No juice, no suppositories, no Karo (eveh their website states NOT to use it for infants, as it carries a slight risk of botulism poisioning, similar to honey in infants), especially no formula, because the iron can actually cause constipation, and upset her system as she is not used to it. Rest easy mama, this is normal, and less yucky diapers for you. If her stool is NOT soft, and is indeed dry, hard pellets, THEN it's cause for concern. If that is the case, let me know, and I can try to steer you in the direction of good advice.
Answer by Anonymous at 9:33 PM on Mar. 20, 2010
Answer by happy2bmom25 at 10:30 PM on Mar. 20, 2010
Credits: 17316 Level 23
Babies (0-12 months) Minor
From Is my breastfed baby constipated?
"It is also normal for a breastfed baby older than six weeks to have only one bowel movement every few days. Some healthy babies will have only one bowel movement a week. When bowel movements are less frequent, they should be more profuse in volume. As long as the baby is gaining well, wetting sufficiently, and is happy and content there is no cause to be alarmed by infrequent bowel movements, and it is not necessary to give the baby a laxative, fruit juice, or any other "helpers." In fact, attempting to force bowel movements can have harmful consequences to your baby."
Answer by maggiemom2000 at 10:40 PM on Mar. 20, 2010
Credits: 5992 Level 18
Babies (0-12 months) Minor
Next question in Babies (0-12 months)
Newborns bellybutton
Next question overall
(Shopping)
Sharing of food costs
Recently Bumped in Parenting
Would you report a bad parent if you saw a post on CM?
Check out our Grill Skills 101 "course" and learn how to cook sweet and savory fare your whole family will love. And we're giving away a $25 gift card, too!
Summer's almost here - and that means it's time to think about protecting our skin from the sun. Get sunscreen tips, info and advice from other moms here!
Have questions about kids and allergies? Check out this info from an expert in pediatric immunology!