Constipation with a breastfeeding baby....

Diana - posted on 08/09/2010

My son often went one or two times per week at that age. It never seemed to be a problem and plenty of medical information I had read confirmed that this is normal.

I would cut out the apple juice and allow her to increase her intake of breastmilk, unless you are really sure she wants the apple juice more than milk.

Cynthia - posted on 08/09/2010

My little guy used to get constipated and I breastfed him until he was 14 mos old. I do kow that some babies have different "poop schedules" LOL but since youre asking the question, I'm guessing it's because this is different than normal for her. When my son used to have problems, I used the method another mom suggested- giving him a small bottle of the gerber infant PEAR juice. It never failed! I loved it because I didn't like giving him laxitives, and prune juice can really have bad effects, and apple juice never did us any good.Hope this helps!

Katie - posted on 08/09/2010

Do you have a naturopath you can see? My lo has never had runny breastfed poop. Solid poops despite being EBF until the addition of solids to her diet at 7 mos. We have found out she has systemic yeast. Not thrush, but yeast. I have her on probiotics and rub her belly daily with oil of oregano (not the italian herb, but a cousin), so she can poop. One day, we will have no more yeast and my poor kid will be able to poop with out problems (fingers crossed anyway).

*Fluffy Bunnies - posted on 08/09/2010

Is she eating solids? When she does poo is it soft or hard? When my daughter started solids there were some foods that constipated her and we just avoided those (rice cereal, cooked carrots, bananas). Foods that help with BM's start with the letter "p" (prunes, peas, pears, plums). I only gave juice once or twice when she was really constipated. She struggled to go but only a little would come out and it was very firm. We gave a small amount of prune juice mixed with water. Once we got that cleared up I just gave foods that help. Black beans are another food that my daughter loves that are full of fiber. As long as she's not in pain and her stools are soft when she does go, I wouldn't worry.

Laura Zoey - posted on 08/09/2010

Often times breastfed babies can wait days or up to a week without having a bm. Normal, and it means that most everything she eats is being used, no waste! So forget about watching for poops and enjoy the days without poop!
And by the way, constipation is not when they don't poop, or when they strain to poop, or even if it looks painful to poop.
Constipation is when they pass small round hard pebble like poop.
And most babies don't ever get constipated.
So don't worry about anything, no need to give her apple juice at all. Her body is receiving the best possible diet and it will all regulate for her perfect cycle.

Until she waits over a week, don't worry. My friends son only poops about 1 time a week so that's some babies normal schedule.

She is fine! Don't change a thing, except forget about extra apple juice, it's so bad for her teeth :)

Sarah - posted on 08/09/2010

Some babies just don't go, which isn't related to being constipated. Is she straining to go or just not going?
" Some breastfed babies, after the first three to four weeks of life, may suddenly change their stool pattern from many each day, to one every three days or even less. Some babies have gone as long as 20 days or more without a bowel movement. As long as the baby is otherwise well, and the stool is the usual pasty or soft, yellow movement, this is not constipation and is of no concern. No treatment is necessary or desirable, because no treatment is necessary or desirable for something that is normal.

Any baby between five and 21 days of age who does not pass at least one substantial bowel movement within a 24 hour period should be seen at the breastfeeding clinic the same day. If this same baby is soaking at least 6 heavy wet diapers (see #3, Urination), then baby is most likely fine and getting enough. Generally, small, infrequent bowel movements during this time period mean insufficient intake. There are definitely some exceptions and everything may be fine, but it is better to check."
http://www.drjacknewman.com/help/Is%20My...