baby stool movement?

Question

my 5 week old baby didnt have any bowel movement last 30 hrs. She is breastfed.. Any suggestions

Answer 1

Leave her be, unless she isn't making enough wet diapers. If the number of wet diapers has decreased she isn't getting enough milk. Breastmilk is a natural laxative and it is virtually impossible for a completely breastfed baby to become constipated. If she still hasn't gone in 7 days go to a doctor.

Constipation in infants is only defined by the hardness of their stool, not how often they go. The only ways to diagnose constipation are to see hard poop, or to have the abdomin examined by a doctor.

"Breast fed babies are essentially never truly constipated. This is because breast milk is such a low residue diet. Almost all of the milk is absorbed by the baby and used. The stools consist of a small amount of unabsorbed protein curds and a large amount of bowel secretions, chiefly mucus. And of course a lot of noisy gas. But these infrequent stools do not indicate constipation - just infrequent stools.

Later, when breast feeding infants start solids, they technically can become constipated, but it is unusual in my experience. It is not until the child is pretty much on solids and especially when weaned to whole cow milk that constipation is much of an issue. By then we are really discussing toddlers. "
http://www.drhull.com/EncyMaster/C/constipation_infant.html

"Keep in mind that babies who are exclusively breastfed very rarely get constipated. After having very frequent bowel movements during the first month or two, they then begin to go much less often. In fact, some breastfed babies only have bowel movements every week or two. In these children, as long as the bowel movement is watery or soft when they finally have it, then they are likely normal and not constipated."
http://pediatrics.about.com/od/weeklyquestion/a/04_bf_cnstipatn.htm

"Constipation is defined as firm stools; this almost never occurs in a breastfed infant who is being exclusively breastfed. Breastfed infants will often have firmer bowel movements after the introduction of solid foods into the diet."
http://pregnancyandbaby.com/pregnancy/baby/Constipation-in-a-breastfed-baby-1876.htm

"The breastfed baby

A breastfed baby will very rarely get constipation because breast milk is more easily digested.

Breastfed babies have several helpful types of bacteria in their large intestine that are capable of breaking down some of the otherwise indigestible proteins in milk. As a result, their stools are softer, making bowel movements easier.

Breastfed babies also have higher levels of a hormone called motiline that increases the movement of the bowels.

The composition of breast milk also changes as your baby grows older, so it will supply the needs of your baby at all times. "
http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/health_advice/facts/babyconstipation.htm

" If a happy formula-fed baby goes 4 days, or a breast-fed baby goes 7 days without a stool, I recommend that he or she be checked once by a pediatrician. "
http://www.drgreene.org/body.cfm?id=21&action=detail&ref=118

"After 6 weeks of age, some healthy breastfed babies have dirty diapers far less often. If the baby seems happy and is acting normally energetic, is gaining weight well, and the stools are soft when they are passed, then it is not a problem. Usually the stool will be very large if it has been a few days (or even more) since baby last made a dirty diaper."
http://www.medela.com/NewFiles/constipation_bfdg.html

Answer 2

That's alright - if everything else seems okay too - i.e., she's otherwise happy and healthy-looking, not in obvious pain, not vomiting, pale or generally unwell.

My baby did that at 5 weeks too. Went a couple of days w no bowel movement - and then filled 3 nappies on the third day.

They say breast-fed babies can have very variable bowel patterns, and there is a wide range of normal. (Normal being from several a day to once every several days.) And they do seem to change their frequency at around 6 weeks and then again at the time of weaning.

All of this relates to a healthy, happy baby.

If your baby seems to be not right, then get the advice of a doc or nurse.

Answer 3

When my little guy was about the age he did the same thing. The Doc told me that as long has he seems happy and not cranky it is alright. If you are really scared I would call the Doc. They will tell you what to do if anything at all.

Answer 4

breast feed babies don't have to have a bowel movement every day as long as your baby is still farting it could take up to a week to pooh and as the as the bum hole is not blocked i know sounds a little gross don't worry for now

Answer 5

my baby is five months old and it wasnt until she started eating baby foods that she started going every other day......before that she was only going once a week. every one i talked to said it could up to a week and a half without a bowl movement. as long as they are still wetting themselves and don't seem like they are in pain, its nothing to worry about

Answer 6

You may add some dark Karo syrup to a little water. As I recall, this works. You may also try a little apple juice diluted. Good luck.

Answer 7

some babies just dont. They told me it could take 3-4 days inbetween. If your really concerned check your Dr. Esp if she usually has one every day.

Answer 8

my girl 6 wks. and is breastfeed and her doc. said that the reason her bms are not reg. is that she is in a growth spart, but if she does have one in more than 5 days bring her in.