My baby is 6 days old. It has been almost 3 days since his last bowel movement. I've been reading books and doing research online, and I keep getting mixed answers. Some say that newborns should have 4 b.m.s a day, while others (WebMD) say that it's normal for them not to have a b.m. for a few days. We have a dr. appt for him tomorrow...but I just want a few more opinions, maybe someone knows what I'm talking about.
2006-10-15 16:05:03 · 15 answers · asked by Misty 3 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
I am nursing him, and he nurses very well. He burps and passes gas perfectly well.
2006-10-15 16:10:13 · update #1
As long as baby is nursing every 2-3 hours and wetting 8-10 (give or take) diapers a day, the poopies will come! Baby is not constipated. A newborn sometimes does not have poopies for several days at a time and that is *NORMAL*. Whatever you do, keep on nursing that little bundle of joy. When my son was born, I too was concerned about the input/output thing. Just keep on plugging away and believe me, the 4 poopie diaper-a-day will come. The visiting nurse who came to my home when my son was 3 days old told me (and she was right) that when a nursing baby is nursing, they will usually poop "in with the new out with the old" is what she said and she was right! You are on the right track...Good Luck tomorrow with the pediatrician!
2006-10-15 16:41:02 · answer #1 · answered by hollyberry 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My daughter ( who is breastfed ) only has bowel movements once or twice a week. As long as the stool is soft you shouldn't have to worry about constipation. Good luck and enjoy your newest addition.
I'm editing this to warn you, do not give your baby a laxitive, enema, or anything else not prescibed by your doctor! With a baby so young he could easily overdose or be harmed! Gosh, my baby didn't even have a bm for 3 days after birth, and my gp, and the lactation consultant both said as long as its soft it is completely normal. Hold off on anything until your appt tomorrow, and I promise everything is okay! Some babies just take their time!
2006-10-15 16:14:18 · answer #2 · answered by dolly 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hi. My son didn't go very regularly for quite a while. He went about every 3-4 days. This lasted until he was around 3 months. I also nursed. My pediatrician told me to give him 1 tsp. of Karo syrup in a bottle with 4 oz. That was difficult to do because I had to pump and he didn't like to take a bottle. Around 3 months, just as his "specialist" appointment was approaching, he started to go more regularly. He's 10 months old now and has absolutely no problems now. Honestly, I don't think it was ever a problem. He got a little gassy, but that was it. It was more of us worrying that something was wrong. See what your doctor says. But it will probably be fine.
2006-10-15 16:24:30 · answer #3 · answered by Susan W 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think you are right to see a doctor about this, but in the meantime, try not to worry. If his only symptom is no bowel movement, he is probably a normal healthy baby. I think breastfed babies tend to have less bms, so that may be a reason as well.
2006-10-15 16:13:56 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
My son had the same problem. He seemed constipated all the time and had real bad gas so my MIL suggested to put a little Karo syrup in his milk I wasnt sure so on my sons 2 week appointment I told the dr about his problem and believe it or not they told me the same thing!!! I put a teaspoon in his milk every feeding or every other feeding and he is doing just fine. It really worked. But if your not sure you can ask your Dr.
2006-10-15 16:49:12 · answer #5 · answered by missmystery78 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A breast feed 6 day old usually has way too many bm a day. Both of mine had one in there diaper at least every hour or so until they were about 1 month old then it slowed down.
2006-10-15 18:00:46 · answer #6 · answered by notAminiVANmama 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Try massaging his anus...I'm not joking!! This is what my doctor told me. He said that by doing that, you get his muscles working to poop. Just the outside though. It should help within an hour or two. If you're still worried, i'm sure there are plenty of nurse lines you can call.
Good luck.
2006-10-16 05:05:20 · answer #7 · answered by Laura R 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Just like everyone says, it is quite normal for a baby to go a couple of days, especially if he is breastfed. If it goes a few more days and you are concerned, a little molasses in water does a beautiful job, or you could try a little milk of magnesia. Works like magic.
2006-10-15 17:25:00 · answer #8 · answered by ShirlD 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I had that problem with my first born, also. Same thing as you found out, there were mixed messages. He used to seem uncomfortable and I used enemas for awhile, but then some doctors and people told me that wasn't a wise thing to do. I never did find out an accurate answer on this one.
2006-10-15 16:13:34 · answer #9 · answered by Just Ducky 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Babies that young should be pooping every single day. It's not until they're older that they can go up to 2 weeks without pooping. Take your baby to a board-certified lactation consultant (NOT a pediatritian) to be checked out.
2006-10-15 18:57:17 · answer #10 · answered by I ♥ EC 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋