I exculsively breast feed my baby. She used to have a BM everyday, then when she was about 7 weeks old, she started going every other day, then sometimes every 3 or 4 days. The longest she has gone is 8 days. I massage her stomach every day, in hopes that she will become regular. My doctor told me to use a glycerine suppository, because this is just a stage that some babies go through. But I don't think it's normal to use a suppository to make her go. Does anybody else have the same problem?
2007-03-27 05:03:55 · 15 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
ITS NORMAL...RELAX
I have a breastfed 5 month old and about two months ago he stopped pooping.
He used to go at least once a day...and then all of a sudden out of nowhere he started going once a week.
He still only goes once a week.
The doctor says that as long as it's not hard and dry and it doesn't hurt him ...it's ok.
I was still concerned because once it was hard for him and it was kinda hard, so the doctor said that I could give him an ounce or two of water everyday, and now that he's older they gave me the ok to mix in a little prune juice with that water...and it's still only once a week, but it's soft and he doesn't seem to be in any discomfort.
I also have started him on solids and we have prunes at least once a day, and I have the glycerine suppositories on hand...but I didn't feel comfortable either about using those regularly...
The safest thing to me feels like doing something dietary rather than chemically to alter his movements...and so far it's working pretty well.
He poops every sunday morning...like clock work...lol
It's not abnormal, just watch out for hard or dry ones...then you're talking about constipation...if they are soft but infrequent...it's not constipation...it's just her schedule.
Good Luck
***PS - Don't you remember being a kid and not going for a week? I remember thinking my dad was weird because he pooped everyday...lol. I talked to my husband about it and he said the same thing...he remembers going to "outdoor education" (camp) for a week and not pooping the entire time he was there...Children's systems are different than adults...just because she isn't on the same schedule as you...doesn't necessarily mean anything is wrong.
If you've consulted a doctor. And she's not in pain. And you are doing what you can to naturally assist her....you're fine, she's fine, it's all fine. Don't worry.
2007-03-27 05:11:50 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 0⤋
After reading your question I immediately went to my copy of La Leche League's WOMANLY ART OF BREASTFEEDING
Frequency of bowel movements varies from baby to baby and even from week to week with the same baby. Some babies may have very frequent bowel movements that are a little more than a stain on the diaper. At first, your baby may have a bowel movement with every nursing. This is definitely not diarrhea in the breastfed baby. It is a sign that he is getting plenty of milk. As he gets older, past six weeks or so, he may have only two or three large bowel movements a week, sometimes only one a week: even less often is normal for some babies. As his bowel movements decrease in frequency, they will increase in volume. There is room for considerable variation among perfectly normal breastfed babies.
2007-03-27 12:40:14 · answer #2 · answered by Carla R 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I didn't have that problem with my daughter, but every child is different. I have had friends who have had this problem with their breastfed babies and the doctors told them the same thing. You really can use a glycerin suppository. You are doing good by massaging her stomach. You can also try holding her ankles and moving her legs in a bicycle motion. Keep hold of her ankles and move her legs in a circular motion making sure to get close to her stomach. Make sure that you are eating healthy high fiber foods because the fiber will make it into your breast milk.
2007-03-27 12:10:42 · answer #3 · answered by mommasquarepants 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋
This is normal and there is no reason to give her suppositories.
It is normal for breastfed babies (6 weeks and older) to not poop every day. Their food is specifically designed to meet their needs and therefore there is often very little waste! Only stooling once a week is NORMAL in a breastfed baby this age. As long as the stool is not hard, dry and formed, there is no problem.
2007-03-27 12:27:59 · answer #4 · answered by momma2mingbu 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
It is very normal to use a suppository on an infant. Do as your doctor Say's. When you rub her tummy, always do it in a clock wise movement. That will help to stimulate the bowel. It is also very important for you to take care in what you eat. that can cause problems with the bowel also. You should eat Lot's of string bean's. At least once a day. That will also help to produce more milk in the breast. This will also help her to have regular B.M.'s. The food you eat goes to your milk. Eat food's that are good for you and the baby. Stay away from anything that will cause gas (Bean's) because your baby will get a bad case of it otherwise.
2007-03-27 12:20:36 · answer #5 · answered by Tinkerbell 2 · 0⤊ 4⤋
Breast milk is the perfect food - provided your diet is good. Are you getting adequate amounts of water, fiber and fresh fruits & veggies? If you are the only source of nutrients, look first to your own diet. I sincerely do NOT think a supposatory is needed this early in life. By the way, Dr.'s are NOT nutritionists. They are requried, at the most, 30 hours of nutrition to complete their degree. If you want good sound advice in this area, go see a Naturopathic Dr. You will get a more intelligent answer.
2007-03-27 12:11:36 · answer #6 · answered by mikki_doo 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I did with my daughter she is almost 2 now, the doctor told me it is normally because breast milk has less waste in it, I did end up taking her to a gastronigist and they confirmed that she was perfectly ok.. as long as your baby does not show signs of discomfort I would not worry.
2007-03-27 13:04:41 · answer #7 · answered by lisamarie7901 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Breastfed babies can go up to a WEEK without making a BM and it is totally normal. No need to use a suppository.
Breastmilk is such a perfect food your child may be using all of it instead of expelling waste.
NO WORRIES! THESE LADIES MUST KNOW NOTHING ABOUT BREASTFEEDING!
2007-03-27 12:20:23 · answer #8 · answered by iampatsajak 7 · 4⤊ 1⤋
I'd say if she goes more than 4 days without doing a doodle then use the suppositories - they'll empty her bowels in minutes.
2007-03-27 14:17:07 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
IT'S NORMAL!!!
Breastfed babies can go like a week without a bm and they will be fine.
2007-03-27 12:33:38 · answer #10 · answered by ♥AsH♥ 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋