Why does my 3.5 month old son only poop every 5-6 days and then with the help of babylax?

Question

He is exclusively breast fed and was having regular bowel movements every 1-2 days until about 3 weeks ago.

Answer 1

Normal for a breastfed infant is anywhere from w/ every diaper change to every 2 weeks! :) Constipation is not possible with gentle brest milk.
You baby is probably going through a growthspurt & is using more of the milk... so there is less left over to come out!

I doubt there is any reason to use a babylax product... unless the child is obviously so backed up they are uncomfterbal.

http://www.mother-2-mother.com/normal.htm#NormalStools :
At around the age of six weeks, the stooling pattern of a breastfed baby may change. It is not uncommon for the breastfed baby to skip days between bowel movements. Some babies skip every other day, some go every two or three days, some once every 5 - 7 days, and some babies hold out for up to 11 or 12 days at a time - then have quite a FULL diaper when they DO go!
There is absolutely no reason to intervene and try methods commonly used to "induce" a bowel movement (such as prune or other types of juices, water, glycerin suppositories, or using rectal stimulation). If artificial stimulation is done too often, the baby's system can become dependant upon this stimulation to "go", and no longer is able to have a normal bowel movement on their own.
In most cases, as long as baby is not acting ill (lethargic, crying in pain, etc.), the tummy is soft, not rigid or distended, skipping days between stools is not cause for alarm, however, mother should not hesitate to ask her health care provider to check her baby to be sure there is no physical problem.

In answer to a later poster:
Don't start solids till at leats 6months. If he is struggling to digest breast milk then solids will just make it worse. banannas, green beans, and apples are the most constipating. Please check out Kellymom.com

Answer 2

I agree with Lady in Pink!!

For goodness sake do NOT supplement with all these suggestions on here! Some of those would be fine if we were talking about a formula fed baby, but this baby is breastfed!

I wouldn't worry. Trust that your breasts are feeding your baby the most nourishing food there is for him. If he isn't having many bowel movements, it is because his body is using all of his meals for building blocks in his body, therefore there is no waste. He is having a growth spurt. Trust your breasts to take care of him and don't switch to formula...that's the best way to REALLY throw off his digestive system! Keep doing what you're doing mama! And add www.kellymom.com to your favorites!

Answer 3

My kids were like this. You may want to call your pediatrician, but mine says it is fine. I have friends whose children poop 5-6 times a day......so be glad! :) Some kids are just slow moving in the bowels. My son got off the miralax at about 10 mos. My daughter had to go back on during toilet training. You may find that when you start foods you will need to do a lot of prunes, pears, peaches, etc. And you may want to find the book Super Babyfood and do your own baby cereal. I made mine with brown rice and whole grain oats. I felt it had more fiber and was less like glue -- AND so much less expensive!

Good luck.

Answer 4

my sis breast feeds too n her baby have bowel movement everyday (it stinks so bad!!) well hes 8 months now but before he used to poop every 3 or 4 days n she always breast fed. well u should take ur baby to the pediatrician cause not all babies r the same.


dont change him to formula...his defenses r gonna get weak.

Answer 5

A breast fed baby can go even a week without a poop, as long as they are comfortable. Breast milk is easily digested with little going to waste, therefore, no poop.

My son would go a week with no poop, then drop a bomb in his diaper.

You shouldn't use a laxative with a baby without checking with your pediatrician first.

Answer 6

You should definately discuss this with your baby's doctor.

However, My wife and I had the same issue with our son (who is now 14 months). The first month or so it was fine then he seemed to stop for upto 4 days in between each time.

We were advised to add prune juice to water (1 part prune juice to 3 parts water) and gave it to him in a bottle. This seemed to help alittle and we were then told to go with 50/50 of prune juice/water. This helped even more until we got him onto regular food. Now we don't give him the prune juice mix more than once a month (if needed).

*we used small can's of prune juice and bottled water, both found in the baby area of the stores.

I hope you find this information useful and congrats on your 3.5 month old! They grow so quick so enjoy every second.

Answer 7

Breast fed babies often don't poop as often as bottle fed babies - breast milk is suited to babies digestion better.

The question I would ask would be - is the baby's poop hard? Is it soft? If the poop is soft, then don't worry.

Constipation is the passing of hard, painful poop.

If it is hard, then talk to your doctor or contact the La Leche League as this is probably a question they have heard lots of times.

Answer 8

5-6 days is long and potentially a problem, however, breast fed babies are sometimes so efficient at digesting the milk that there is no solid left in his system to remove.

Answer 9

It may help if you change your diet. Have more roughage yourself and you will see the difference. Have you by any chance changed the water that the baby drinks? that may also affect the bowel movements of the kid.

Answer 10

Its is ok for babies to go without pooping for almost 7 days. thats what canadian peadiatric society says. but try not to use laxative. put ur baby on his stomach atleast 30 min a day.give a good massage to stomach and back.
if your baby is not crying and fussy dont worry about it. but always consult a doctor
but as you are breat feeding try eating fennel seeds after every meal. that might help in your childs digestion