Breastfed Baby not having normal bowel movements.

Anna - posted on 08/31/2009

It is normal for a breastfed baby to have only one a week. If they are mushy, it's fine but if they have dried out into little pellets it's a problem.

Svetlana - posted on 08/31/2009

Suprisingly enough I never had this issue with any of my kids and I have four and breast fed all of them. The only thing I would suggest is to re-evaluate your diet. Regarding colics and gas, Gripe water helps, also abdominal massage and exsercises for the baby.

Brenda - posted on 08/31/2009

BF babies can go fourteen days between bowel movements and that's perfectly normal provided they are over four weeks of age. The reason is Breastmilk has very little waste to it, and there isn't a lot coming out because it is all getting used by the body. Unless she's uncomfortable or seems in pain, it is probably okay. Actually it is one of the little known perks of breastfeeding! I'd say my three month old goes three times some days and sometimes a week between.

Rachelle - posted on 08/30/2009

My son has experienced the same problems. Like the other 2 responses you recieved we were also told by our doctor that is is completley normal for a baby to only poop once a week or every 10 days. Our son would become very uncomfortable and gassy. We were told by our pediatricians nurse to use mylacon drops or gripe water. The mylacon drops were NOT helpful but the Gripe water did help with the gas and discomfort. My peditrician also told e to stop consuming dairy for 2 weeks to see if it had any effect on his bowel movements. I noticed that once I switched to soy milk and cut out all other dairy that he started having regular normal bowel movements with no gas or pain. Give it a try! Hope this helps.

HAYLEE - posted on 08/30/2009

Hi taylor, I am a first time mum to jett 3 months and we have had this problem a few times now. We have tried about 5 mls of Prune Juice (Boiled up and drained and the juice from the drain mixed with a little water) however it doesnt work. Jett have been going 12 days which is two long. Lots of doctors told me even up to 20days is ok but my husband and I disagreed. We took him to a different doctor and she xrayed him to make sure there was no blockaged. Since there was none and Jett was extremely uncomfortable she proscribed Lactulose where I give him 3mls weekly in order to teach him to go and (touch wood) it has worked everytime and we now have a much happier baby and MUM :) goodluck. I was also told about 4ml of Pure pear juice is ok for babies

Chelsea - posted on 08/30/2009

This is completely normal. Her body is beginning to regulate itself. A breastfed baby can go up to 14 days without having a bowl movement with no issue. If you get up to around 9-10 days give her a glycerin suppository. It is completely safe and comes in an infant size, it's basically water and salt and will get a bowl movement going in 15 minutes to 1 hour. The only reason to use it is to make sure that there is no blockage that could cause her to not poop (VERY RARE) so don't do it before day 9 or 10. The reason breastfed babies can go so long is that breastmilk doesn't having much extra in it so most of it is absorbed into the body as nutrients. Keep up the great work breastfeeding and don't hesitate to contact me if you are concerned about this. I went through the same worries not too long ago.