Not Enough Bowel Movements

Hi I had the same situation recently my breast fed baby went as long as 10 days without a bowel movement but did not seem to be in distress. I was told that it was fine as long as he was not in distress but if it went as long as two weeks to let the doctor know. My two older sons also never went this long either.

It is normal for breastfed children to go longer between bowel movements. If he is not showing signs of discomfort I wouldn't be concerned right now.

Some breastfed babies can go quite a long time without having any bowel movements...sometimes even a week or more. This is normal! Just watch out when he finally does go!

As long as he is not having any discomfort, and when he does finally go it is the normal seedy mustardy breastmilk poop all is fine!

Hope this helps!

S.

My exclusively breastfed daughter only had a bowel movement every week and a half, I could almost mark it on my calendar in advance she was so regular. Its completly normal for a breastfed baby to have a long stretch between BMs. The body metabolizes it perfectly so there is no waste to be dispelled, unlike with formula. Enjoy it while it lasts! Once you start anything else (formula, solids, etc.) you will be changing a lot more soiled diapers (and who really wants that?).

I just read some of the other responses and wanted to add that in the first two months after birth, an exclusively breastfed baby will have frequent bowel movements due to the laxative nature of colostrum. Also initially, wet and soiled diapers are monitored to assure that there is adequate nutrition intake. Following this period, it is quite typical for a breastfed baby to go as long as you have described between BMs. It does not mean your breastmilk is too concentrated or that your baby is not getting enough. And having BMs less frequently does not mean the baby is irregular or constipated, only if the stool is hard and difficult to pass. My mother had a lot of misinformation to share with me. With formula feeding the norm for so many years, many people just don't know what to expect, and so they offer well-meaning advice that is not always accurate and can be alarmingly. Another good resource besides this site is kellymom.com.

Hey K., I know that bowel movements and wet diapers are monitored closely when babies are breast fed because that is one of the ways to be sure they are getting enough. I guess I am wondering if your doctor knows. That seems like such a long time to go between movements. I hope all turns out well!

I would tell your doctor. my daughter was breastfed and she went 3 or 4 times a day, all bebies of course are different, but my nephew who was born a month after my daughter would go a week without pooping and they eventually had to start giving him enamas and prune juice, but he was very uncomfortable.

I wouldn't worry about it just yet. Breast fed babies can go a while between poops. Just make sure you are eating a balanced diet with lots of fruits and veggies.

If you are really concerned please see your pedi...

H.

I am a 35 yr old mother of two boys (a 4yr old & 2 yr old) they both go very infrequently as so do I. I had several tests around age 10 & the doctor sais nothing was wrong with me. As long as you eat a balanced meal & your stomach does not hurt & when you do go it is not a painful experience - I was told it was okay - because everyone's body is different. If he does start to have a painful bowel movement you can buy Miralax over the counter & give him a teaspoon because of his age daily in his bottle & you will see increased activity - if it increases it too much - you can do a half of teaspoon.

i had the same issue with my daughter when she was a baby. My oldest seemed to go every day while she would go every 4 days or so. Then she started going longer in between...she was up to about once a week so i took her to the doctor and he said everything was fine. She wasnt fussy or uncomfortable either. Hope that helps.

Oh my goodness, I just asked about the identical problem on here a few days ago! I thought I was reading my own posting for a sec. I guess its more normal than I thought... Good luck!

Not to worry. I had a similar situation with my little girl when she was that age. It seemed as though it got worse as time went by. They always just recommend keep them to the breast and it will all come in due time. The only consideration would be if it was hard when the bowell movement does come. If it is still wet and yellow and grainy I would say you don't have much to worry about. They say you can give them water(pure spring, filtered, or boiled and cooled. I once gave a rectal thermometer coated in vaseline. This did work once but not the second time. Eventually I just let nature take its course and all was well. She is now 11 months and has bowel movements 2-4 times a day.

My little guy went through the same thing. His doctor told us that if he didn't seem to be in any discomfort he was fine, and that breast milk is pure nutrition and there is often less waste for that reason. He also advised us to pay attention to the waste when he did have a BM and make sure that it wasn't really hard or dark.

K.,

I'm sure he is fine, but I would call his doctor. I had the same problem with my son but he wouldn't wait quite as long. They had me put Corn Syrup in either formula or pumped milk to help loosen him up and keep him regular. He also ended up started on solids right at 4 months because of it and once he started that he was going much more regular but I don't think it is normal for them to go that long with out making a bowel movement. Good Luck and I hope all goes well!

A.

Don't worry. The rule of thumb is that as long as the baby is not in discomfort then it's okay. Usually by four months or so the BM's become more frequent and regular. Only be concerned is your baby is really struggling to get it out!

It sounds like you need to increase your fluid intake so that your breast milk won't be so concentrated. I beleive a week is too long to go, especially in a breast fed baby (usually they poop more frequently).

Good luck!

Hi K.,
My Pedi told me that it is completely normal for breastfed babies to go up to a week with no bowl movements. That means that your baby is taking in all the nutrients of the milk...that's a good thing. Babies around 2 months old loose some reflex in their bum that causes them to have a bowl movement more frequently. My daughter did the same thing a few months ago (she is now 7 months) and i was also worried at first as well. As long as you have enough wet diapers & no discomfort, I think you are good!
-Kim