stool frequency of a 3 month girl?

Question

Hi, my daughter is 3 month old. But her stool frequency is too low. In last two weeks, she stool once every 5 days. We checked her stool, find it's normal, not quite hard, not quite soft, the color is normal too.

Is the a 5 days gap between her stool is normal?

Thanks a lot!

PS. She is breast fed by my wife.

Answer 1

Once our daughter got past the newborn stool frequency, she only went every three or four days... sometimes having as long as a five day gap between movements. We spoke to our pediatrician about it and at about 2 months were told to give her one ounce of prune juice mixed with one ounce of water everyday. He also said to give her a suppository if she seemed to be in pain. He said it was normal with some babies and not to worry about it much.

The juice really didn't affect anything, so she ended up having the suppository every three to four days. When she was in real pain, I would hold her hands and talk with her through it, trying to keep her as calm and relaxed as possible. Massaging her tummy a bit also seemed to help ease the pain.

Since she started on solids she's been very regular, gracing me with a poopy diaper at most every other day. More often than not, she's having a regular movement everyday after lunch. She's 7 months old now and has been regular for about a month.

I would definitely bring it up with your daughter's doctor, though, as there could be some underlying cause that only he or she could tell.

Good luck.

Answer 2

It is totally normal in my book. My daughter only had a stool once... sometimes twice weekly until she was about 6 months old. The only reason she has them more often now (about 3-5 times a week) is because she started eating baby food at 6 months and the fruit helped her system. I had all kinds of tests run on her and the doc said that as long as it is not to hard or soft, some babies only go once a week. Don't worry unless it seems like it is bothering her. I even went through the process of giving her suppositories and laxatives and neither of them worked. She is 9 months old now and she is just as normal as can be. Just be happy that you don't have a child that likes to make a stool 2-3 times a DAY! Consider your self lucky...i do.

Answer 3

Some kids are non-poopers. Have mommy try eating prunes and see if that helps with baby's stools. Other option, buy a few jars of starter prunes or prune juice. Give baby a few spoonfuls and see how it goes. Don't over due it or you may then have a case of the runs on your hands. Try Gerber or Beechnut with this one instead of Earth's Best. It's a great product but, not under these circumstances where the Earth's Best is a bit more tart than the others. Don't forget to have some extra clothing with you if you are out and about because that is more than likely where your daughter will decide to poop her body weight ripping through the diaper and her clothes.

Answer 4

It is a little disconcerting, but normal for a breastfed baby. Assuming she is not uncomfortable or in pain, though I think you would have mentioned that. The breastmilk is more completely digested than formula.

My son only had a BM every four or five days at that age. Enjoy not having to change dirty diapers all the time.

I can't imagine why a previous poster would have suggested your wife discontinue breastfeeding. Kudos to your wife for giving your little girl one of the best gifts a mom can give her baby. The WHO (World Health Organization) recommends breastfeeding until two years old.

Answer 5

I think 3 months is a little early for her to start controlling her bowel movements but it may be possible. For a breastfed baby this is not normal. Your wife may not be producing enough milk, which is highly unlikely or if your switching back and forth between breast and bottle (formula) this could be completely normal. As long as shes not crying of a belly ache it shouldnt be anything to worry about. But Id still get it checked out.

Answer 6

With a breastfed baby, the frequency of bowel movements does not matter *at all*, as long as it's soft and yellow when it does come. A lot of babies (over the age of 6 weeks) only have one bowel movement every few days--sometimes going 2 weeks or more between them. See sources section below. I had this with my daughter; she normally went only once a week, but one time (when I was traveling internationally alone with her!!), she didn't go for over 2 weeks. I was worried, but when she did have a bowel movement, it was normal.

Answer 7

hi!

i would say that is normal for a breastfed baby. when my daughter was about 4 months old, she went 3 days without pooping. so i called my doctor, she told me that is normal for a breastfed baby.....as long as they are not crying alot and acting like they are straining to have a bowel movement and no fever. which she didnt do any of those things. and sure enough the 5th day she had a normal looking bowel movement.
my doctor said it is normal for a breastfed baby to go maybe once a week.
hope this helps!

Answer 8

I definitely would say that it is normal, but get her checked by your peditrician to calm your fears. My daughter is now 6 months old and breast fed. There were times when she would go at least 5 days without a bowel movement.

Answer 9

Yes, Its most likely normal because You dont mention any other problems. Is she breast fed? Breast fed babies can go many days without a stool. I think if she was ill, you would certainly be able to tell..so dont worry.

Answer 10

No, it is not normal for either breastfed or bottlefed babies to go this long without b.m. Ask the doctor what to give her. Maybe prune juice?? (just a little). Also maybe some mineral oil added to a bottle. But, make sure you ask the pediatrician. Believe me, they are used to these kinds of calls!