My baby is 5 weeks old and hasn't pooped since Tuesday afternoon and now it's Saturday night! Here's the thing... she's strictly breastfed, EXCEPT for the dr put her on 1 oz of half and half prune juice and water twice a day and STILL hasn't gone in 5 1/2 days. Should I be worried?
2006-12-03 14:09:08 · 13 answers · asked by kaylierutledge 2 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
Doc told me it was the 7 rule. 7 BM in a day was normal and 7 days without a BM is normal. I wouldn't worry unless she starts acting really uncomfortable. Then I would take her in. Good luck and Congrats on the new baby!!!!
2006-12-03 14:13:40 · answer #1 · answered by Mrs. Always Right 5 · 4⤊ 0⤋
First off, I'd say stop the prune juice. A baby this young really should have nothing but breastmilk or formula.
An exclusively breastfed baby DOES NOT get constipated. Breastmilk is a natural laxative.
If a baby is constipated, they have dry, hard, formed stools when they do go.
It is NORMAL for many breastfed babies to begin skipping days and not having a BM ever day around this age. This is because with breastmilk, there is very little waste! They are able to absorb and use most of the nutrients in it! Starting around this age, some breastfed babies may only poop once a week. NORMAL, as long as it isn't hard and formed. (But look out, as it'll probably be a complete diaper blow out when she does go!)
2006-12-04 08:19:08 · answer #2 · answered by momma2mingbu 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This is completely normal for BF babies. 7 days is nothing to worry about if your baby seems to be in her normal mood. Keep in mind that you're the best judge of your baby. If she's not in any distress then she's likely fine.
I heard a doctor say one time that "sick babies look sick" and it's been the best advice I've had for my daughter's 1st year. A baby can have a fever of 101 and still be playing and happy... they're likely fine, by the same token though they can be 99 degrees and be dull and terrible looking and be sick. Let your baby be your giude. You'll recognize when something's not right.
I wouldn't ever stick anything in there without a doctor's recommendation.
Some baby massage techniques will also help get things going again. I bought this book and it's been my favorite (I only wish it was spiral bound!!) http://www.amazon.com/Baby-Massage-Calming-Power-Touch/dp/0756602467/sr=8-1/qid=1165209217/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/105-9521301-9250837?ie=UTF8&s=books There's a couple techniques... the "water wheel" where you kind of scoop the tummy in a repeated pattern, and another one where you draw an upside down U on the tummy (like a horse shoe) that's supposed to help with the ascending and descending colon. Another trick is to press the knees up into the tummy. (This helps with gas, but sometimes it also stimulates a BM.)
Take care.
2006-12-04 00:15:07 · answer #3 · answered by Poopsie-Daisy 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Nope, don't worry! My daughter was exclusively breast fed, and she went for months doing just one poo a week, and for a little while was only doing one once every two weeks.
If bub's not pooing, it's usually because they're using your milk to help them grow. Whatever's pooped out is what hasn't been needed for growth.
If bub is showing no signs of distress - sore tummy or whatever - I wouldn't worry too much. If, on the other hand, she's crying endlessly or sleeping badly or anything like that, then she might need some gentle help.
I was quite happy when my daughter was pooing this way - it meant a lot less extremely messy nappies!
2006-12-03 23:57:00 · answer #4 · answered by Donna M 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I would be worried that the doctor recommended prune juice (after how long?). Breastmilk is so easily digested that many babies don't need to go very often. I have heard that up to ten days is fine. My second dd (exclusively bf) used to poop only once a week from about age 4 weeks, I think until she started solids. But what a poop!
2006-12-03 22:41:02 · answer #5 · answered by Goddess of Grammar 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
It's normal for breastfed babies to get stopped up more.
But, you shouldn't let him go that long. I know my RNs always said 3 days was fine. But, I never let my son go longer than a day or two.
1. Rub his rectum with your finger (or a wipey) a firm gentle pressure in a circular motion. This will usually get things moving. If it hasn't worked in an hour..
2. Use a small piece of soap the size of your pinky's first bend (joint) as a suppastory. Make sure no sharp edges and insert into recum. It doesn't hurt just enough to get him to push.
If he is in pain hold him and rock him...soothe him. At this point it may hurt his bottom.
2006-12-03 22:15:09 · answer #6 · answered by Baby #3 due 10/13/09 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Skipping days is one thing - but skipping five and a half days is abnormal at any age. I'd give her that soap suppository if I were you - it'll make her do the do in 30 mins or less - but then see the doctor again. Tell him the juice isn't enough.
2006-12-05 06:35:04 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would be a little worried. Newborns should have 2-3 movements a day.
2006-12-03 22:13:31 · answer #8 · answered by makin_the_same_mistakes 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
it's scary, but it is more commonplace than you would think. I just started my child on solids, and I W I S H she wasn't pooping like she is. I miss those days lol
someone said above, if no movement in 7 days, then call your doctor
2006-12-03 23:50:01 · answer #9 · answered by Raina B 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
five is the max they can go without a bowel movement. my pediatrician told me that if my son didn't poop in 4 days then on the 5th day i should be calling. so call the pediatrician immediately.
2006-12-04 00:46:08 · answer #10 · answered by pinky 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋