Why is my 3 month old having hard time with bowel movements suddenly?

Question

My 3 month old used to have bm right after every feeding.
Two weeks ago that changed and he had bm about 3-4 times a day, which was fine.This week he suddenly appears to strain everytime while having a bm which is very often, and he makes only a couple a times a day and his very irritable obviously while straining.
Whats the cause of these symptoms?
I am extremely cautious in my diet, no eggs,dairy, caffeine etc... and I do not want to drug him out!
Any ideas for my cute?

p.s. my sons diaper colour is usually yellow or mustard. I dont think these colors are usually constipation signals

hi all! thanks for your input! really appreaciated!!!!!!! I am breastfeeding and the restricted foods that I listed was not my descision but as of a naturopath who suggested it b/c of gassiness and tummyaces. As for calcium im taking extra supplements, as well as one iron a day recommended for me, which is really absorbable. Its really tricky!!!

Answer 1

This is the earliest I've ever heard but you definitely may need a fiber supplement. See your pediatrician.

I would expect a supplement such as Benefiber to be recommended. It dissolves clear and tasteless. I have a five year old that has been taking it over 3 years.

It seems to be common in a few generations of family members. Hard to say about your situation.

Answer 2

It's normal for babies to grunt, strain and turn red when they have a BM. It's a big deal for them, it's an exciting thing that they have discovered how to do.

Has his diet changed recently? I think you are doing him a disservice by being so picky about your diet. You need to expose him to all types of food and let him pick and choose what he likes and doesn't like, wants to eat and doesn't want to eat.

On the chance that he may be constipated you probably need to check with his doctor as to what to do. If he is constipated there are products on the market that will help him. There are baby suppositories and baby enemas, etc. that can be used on occasion to aid in his having a BM. They aren't things that you should use on a regular basis only when there is a real need for them.

Good luck.

Answer 3

From my experience, all babies strain while having a bm. When they are truly constipated their stool is hard and round, shaped like small marbles. As long as your baby's stool is soft, I don't think there is any need to worry. If you still feel your baby is constipated, it could be from recently adding cereal to his or her diet. If that isn't the answer, talk to your dr. They usually have good answers! I bottlefed my son, so when he was constipated at first, I would put a small drop of Karo syrup in his bottle and that helped. But it doesn't help you much since you breastfeed. Anyway, good luck in finding an answer!

Answer 4

First, it's normal for babies' bowel movements to change over time, and they poop less often as they get older. It's also not constipation unless he has small, hard "pellets" in his diaper. In fact, it's extremely rare for a breastfed baby to be constipated. It can be normal for a breastfed baby to only poop once a week or so. (Just watch out when he does poop!)

The straining and grunting is perfectly normal when pooping as well. Most babies grunt, groan, and turn red while pooping (and to be truly honest, children and adults do the same thing).

Unless you have any history of allergies in your family, there's no need to be quite to cautious in your diet. Eliminating caffeine is one thing, but I've never heard of a child having a problem with mom eating eggs. Dairy can occasionally be a problem, but it isn't for every baby.

Anyway, from what you posted, it sounds like your baby is doing just fine. If you're still concerned, I'd check with his doctor, but I wouldn't give him any apple juice or other supplements -- it just doesn't sound like he needs it.

Answer 5

Have you talked to your doctor or other professional? Check with your local W.I.C. office, health department or your child's doctor. It is normal for the number of bowel movements to decrease at this age, but not so normal for it to be so strained. My daughter is 5 months old and I am nursing her. I watch what I eat, but remember that you need nutrients in order to make good milk for your baby. Eggs, milk, cheese, protein, these are all good things for your body and your baby. (I too avoid caffeine.) If you skimp on your nutrition, you milk production will remain nearly the same but your body will be suffering damage because it will take from you what you don't provide for the milk production. I do not like giving my daughter medications either (she has had infant Tylenol only 5 times and that was all for immunizations). But I do swear by Mylicon gas drops, they are safe and do not have adverse affects, and my daughter does not even give me trouble when I give them to her. If your baby is having a bowel movement every day, he/she is not constipated. The problem may be gas. That can come from your diet, especially if you are eating a lot of healthy veggies (my daughter has problems if I eat cabbage). There are other ways of relieving gas, without using medicines. A warm bath can help, and massaging your baby's tummy gently. I put my daughter across my lap and rub her back too, she loves it. If you still have concerns, talk to a professional, remember that is what they are there for!

Answer 6

As long as he is having at least on bm a day, he's not constipated. If the stool is more like a hard pebble and not the usual peanutbutter/pudding consistancy, then maybe talk to your pediatrition.

Answer 7

while you're completely breastfeeding, your toddler does no longer want rice cereal. you rather shouldn't initiate solids until 6 months- the age at which the yank Pediatric Academy and international wellbeing enterprise recommends. With the rare pooping- it incredibly is totally accepted with breastfed toddlers-they are in a position to circulate as long as 10 days and not utilising a bowel circulate. in accordance to l. a. Leche League: "advertisement, iron-fortified cereals are many times the 1st meals served to toddlers who're no longer breastfeeding because of the fact they want the greater desirable iron, yet breastfed toddlers are not often anemic because of the fact the iron in human milk is definitely-utilized. If there is undertaking appropriate to the toddler's iron tiers, an undemanding attempt could be executed contained in the surgeon's place of work." desire this facilitates. ^.^

Answer 8

You may have to much iron in your diet. Iron can cause bms to be hard. Is the color of bm green? Try eating more green vegetables or apples and prunes. You could even give the baby apple or prune juice to help with this problem. Had this problem with my oldest son and this worked for him.

Answer 9

No experience with breast feeding, but I had to talk to the doctor about my baby a few days ago (he'll be 4mo next week) and he told me to put dark Karo syrup in his bottle, and that I could also give him 1oz-2oz of pear or apple juice everyday.
However, it sounds like you need to talk to the doctor about your baby. Constipation is painful and uncomfortable for adults, just imagine how a baby feels who doesn't understand what's going on.

Answer 10

Your child might eb ready for some fiber. Check your pediatrician, but perhaps a diluted fiber additive is in order.
BTW, "protecting" your cutie from all sorts of foods in your diet is doing him a disservice in the long run.