My baby is 6 month old and I'm switching from breast milk to formula. I started mixing formula with breast milk so she could tolerate the new taste and she did! Now I'm full into formula (Enfamil Lipil) after fully breastfeeding her for 6 whole months.
Because of the formula intake, her bowel habits have changed. She has 1 bowel movement within 2 days. For example, she has a bowel movement on Thurday, no movement on Saturday, and a bowel movement on Sunday. This is her new pattern, at least for this week that I just started with formula. Is this normal? Will her bowel movements change to a daily routine? Please help. Thanks!
2007-01-26 05:17:32 · 18 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
My formula (Kirkland brand {Costco}, which I believe is made by Similac) fed baby has a bowel movement about every 2 days, though sometimes two days in a row.
2007-01-26 05:22:52 · answer #1 · answered by Heather Y 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, bowel movements change when you change the feedings. I didn't do the breast feeding thing but my oldest one had her formula switched about 4 times when she was a baby and every time it got switched, she would be constipated. It truly sucks but it shouldn't take her system long to make the adjustment since you started her off by mixing it. Just give her plain water once a day or maybe some diluted juice. It will help her.
2007-01-26 05:32:44 · answer #2 · answered by Stephanie 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes this is normal. It takes sometimes a week for a babies digestive track to "learn" new foods. For example, my 5 mth old is still breastfed and also eats baby food. When I give him a new food he goes from moving his bowels once every 1-2 days to once every 3-4 days. And then within a week he goes back to once every 1-2 days. Your daughter's new routine may take a week or two to adjust but eventually it will. If my son goes three days with moving his bowels I then give him prune juice cut in half (1once water to 1 once juice) to help move things along. Apple juice doesn't work for us but it may work for your daughter. Babies bowel movements will change with each new food or new formula introduced.
2007-01-26 05:54:43 · answer #3 · answered by Amy B 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, most definitley. It is nearly impossible for a healthy breastfed baby to get constipated, but formula-fed babies can. You didn't say whether your baby's new bowel habits are more often or less often than before, but it is normal for a breastfed baby to go up to a week between bowel movements. I don't know for sure but formula-fed babies should go more often than that. But don't worry how *often* your baby poops. That has nothing to do with whether baby is constipated. Judge by whether the poop is firm or hard. A soft poop, even every three or four days, is great.
2007-01-26 05:30:05 · answer #4 · answered by Ducky's Mom 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Im sure its normal for bowel movements to change, but don't be worried, my daugther has a bowel movement every other day and the doctor said its perfectly fine, and shes 4 months. Every time you introduce something new to baby it will change their bowel movements. If you feel she is constipated, you can give her boiled water, like a couple of ounces, it helps loosen their stools.
2007-01-26 05:24:50 · answer #5 · answered by Proud Mother 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Oh, yeah. Mothers (including me) can get so worked up over their babies b.m.'s. They can go for several days without one, then one day, they catch up , (a lot).
Basically, as long as baby is healthy and not more fussy, or it doesn't go on for a long time it is OK. They eventually should go at least once daily.
Switching formulas can have a lot to do with it. It will take time for her to adjust. Also, at six months have you started baby food? That can also have a lot to do with it. Too much infant cereal can get them backed up. A great way to help her system along when constipation shows up is to get a real, raw apple and puree it for apple sauce (no cooking) or juice it (the real thing - NO store bought juice). The apple pectin is actually fiber and it is so gentle for babies, but a little goes a long way. Don't give her a lot.
For my 4th child, I am using Similac Advance. It is supposed to cut down on air bubbles and gas -which it does- but I also have noticed that her B.M.'s are softer and more regular. I used to give her Enfimil, but it didn't agree with her tummy.
Hope this helps.
2007-01-26 05:34:43 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is the iron content in the formula that will constipate your baby a little. My baby has been on formula since day 9 and has always had slow digestion (pooped every 2-3 days). Now that she eats solids, it has definately changed.
If you think she is in pain from not pooping... try putting a little prune juice in her formula (about 1/4 tsp. per 8 oz).
2007-01-26 05:50:43 · answer #7 · answered by naenae0011 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Alot of formulas have iron added to them so yes, it can make their bowels a little off from what is normal with breastfeeding. I breast fed both my babies, for a short period of time (due to lack of milk I had to wean them off and put them on formula. And yes it made a dramatic difference in their BM's.
2007-01-26 05:27:26 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Babies' bowel habits also change with age. Some kids go every day, some once a week. Every baby is different. As long as your child isn't in pain or struggling to go, every couple of days might just be her norm - and it might change again in another three or six months.
2007-01-26 05:40:22 · answer #9 · answered by zippythejessi 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The formula I use (Good Start Supreme with DHA and ARA) does the same thing to my daughter and she is almost nine months old. After I stopped breast feeding her her bowl momvements started changing and hers is other day or every two days like your baby is doing. I think the formula is harder to breakdown then breast milk, so it takes longer for them to diagest it and have a bowl movement.
2007-01-26 05:29:49 · answer #10 · answered by BJKG_2006 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋