can breast fed babies be constipated?

Brenda - posted on 03/29/2009

If your baby hasn't pooped in a couple of days, try taking him/her for a 20 min - 1 hr car ride.  Over the past month we have found that ours LOVES to blow out in his carseat!!  We thought we might have to take him to the Dr. after 4-5 poopless days, but he fought back by blowing out both the top and sides of his diaper in the car.  It soaked through his jacket and pants as well.  Yum!

Sezy - posted on 03/29/2009

As they get older its quite common to miss days. I was told thay are only constipated if the poo is hard. If your bub still has runny poo i wouldn't worry.

Caroline - posted on 03/29/2009

That sounds so funny! Britney. I can just imagine the scene. My 2 mo. old son is pooping every other day now. I'm expecting to go up to pooping once every 3 to 5 days, as my daughter was like that too when she was at that age.

Britney - posted on 03/28/2009

WHOA.

poop scare OVER. lol. i just cleaned up the biggest poop to date!! it was all over her front, back, tummy, legs...everywhere. she had no clue, just smiling and happy!

Gemma - posted on 03/28/2009

My breast fed son only went every 3-4 days when he was only on breast milk. It is highly unusual for a breastfed baby to be constipated, a sure fire sign that they are, will be pain and inconsolable crying. Make sure that you are watching what you eat, as this will affect the milk and as a result your baby's comfort and therefore their ability to poo.

Good luck I hope your boy goes soon for you!

Cheers, Gemma

Ashleigh - posted on 03/28/2009

They can, but it's not too common.  My son was constipated for like the first 3 months of his life and only pooped every 5-6 days; now hes a pooing machine! haha

Lolly_loulou - posted on 03/28/2009

its ok as my little girl can go about 5 days in between poo's. but now that she has started to eat baby food to so she poo's more frequently, but if you do ever get worried just consult your midwife.

Britney - posted on 03/28/2009

i just posted about the exact same thing, i should have checked the conversations first! my breastfed baby girl is 6 months and hasnt gone in 2 days either. so you aren't alone! and sounds like its nothing to worry about...

Allison - posted on 03/28/2009

Right - breastfed babies cannot get constipated. They don't always poop every day, though, as breastmilk is very easily and efficiently digested. My daughter could go up to 3 weeks without pooping (not normal, but not abnormal, either) and my son pooped before and after every nursing session. So it certainly can vary.

If baby isn't uncomfortable, I wouldn't worry. If baby's tummy gets hard or enlarged, you'll definitely want to contact a doctor who is very familiar with breastfeeding babies. Adding apple juice or pear juice (often on of the first things a doc will suggest for constipation) isn't really a good idea with breastfed babies, as the extra sugar can cause problems with baby's digestive system. Tummy rubs are very good for getting things moving - clockwise motions when facing baby.

Good luck!

Kyla - posted on 03/28/2009

My sister in law's son pooped every 8 days. My son was between 3 and 5 days before we started him on solids.

Shelley - posted on 03/28/2009

A midwife once told me (re breastfed babies and their poop) That the golden rule is 10 in 1 day or 1 in 10 days ... so don't worry - all normal :-)

Courtney - posted on 03/26/2009

We get so used to them pooping in EVERY diaper when we first bring them home that it SEEMS like they are constipated if they stop doing that.  At some point, the poop starts to consolidate like it would in an older child or adult.  All this means is that when the baby does poop, the poop will be in greater quantity and you may begin to experience "blow outs."  Fun stuff!

Kerrie - posted on 03/26/2009

My daughters were the same way as Shanna's it's normal

Shanna - posted on 03/26/2009

Breastfed babies can get constipated but it's pretty unusual. A breastfed baby can go up to 7 days without pooping so don't start to worry until it's been longer than that :)

My daughter would sometimes poop after every feeding then sometimes she wouldn't go for 4-5 days. My doctor told me that was completely normal.