Can breastmilk cause constipation in infants?

Question

It sounds so silly. But Im breastfeeding full time and only in serious need will I give my baby formula. For example if I run out of breastmilk to go, I make her a 4 oz bottle of Similac Advanced so I can take everyone to school in morning. Now I noticed when I give her this she goes without taking a poop for up to 3 days after that 1 : 4oz bottle! Now the last time I gave her only 2 oz of the stuff when we had to make a run out and she didnt go poopie for 4 days 6 hours! She just turned 2 months on the 19th. Her pediatrician told me today that it was because breastmilk cause constipation, I find this very hard to believe, because before all this started with the formula and non poopie diapers she had the seedy yellow breastmilk poopie diapers atleast twice a day if not more. She has many wet diapers everyday. My questions are: Did anyone go through this? Does breastmilk really cause constipation?? Do I need to have my pediatrician go kick rocks??? Thanks to all who reply.

I would like to also add that when she did go this morning after the 4 day 6 hour wait it was not hard poopie it was yellow and seedy.

Answer 1

The formula is what is messing her up. As a mother of 3 breast fed babies, I don't think its the breast milk. That being said, you can eat things that pass into your milk and upset your baby's system. If the constipation comes after a formula bottle, I'd think the culprit it the formula and not something in your diet. To be sure, start writing down your personal eating habits and her formula habits. That will give you a clearer picture of what is going on.

Answer 2

Its not the breastmilk or the formula. As your baby grows it is normal for a breastfed baby to only go a few times a week. I gave my baby a bottle of formula when she was about 5 weeks old and after I noticed that she didn;t go for about 2 days. I though that it was because of the formula, but her doctor told me that it just happens that way. Some formulas. especially the ones with added iron can cause constipation, but breast milk is a natural laxitive. You doctor is crazy! You should get the book, what to expect the first year. It will tell you the same thing. My little girl is now 7 weeks old and usually goes every other day or so and when she does she REALLY does it good!!! If your little one is still having the loose yellowish stools when she goes, she is not constipated. If her stools get hard and formed, (like yours are) then she might be. She will let you know in other ways too, like being cranky (belly ache) and crying alot when she goes.
Hope this helps you out...

Answer 3

I think your ped is an idiot. Breastmilk is the world's best laxative. I just had a conversation about breastmilk being a great laxative with my ped last week. What's causing constipation is switching back n forth between formula and breastmilk because they break down differently in the digestive track. I'd skip the formula for a trip to school. Lord knows my baby has been fed the the parking lot of our parochial school literally every day since birth and no one has died or been scarred for life yet. Seriously, with each child you learn that you really don't care about anyone elses comfort about where you breastfeed other than your baby's.

Answer 4

Either your pediatrician is woefully uneducated about breast feeding or you misunderstood him. Breast fed babies rarely get constipated and it is usually caused by another underlying medical condition and not the breast milk. Breast milk is highly digestible. It is not uncommon for some breast fed babies to have a bowel movement at every feeding nor is it uncommon for some breast fed babies to go as long as 10 days in between bowel movements. It all depends on the individual infant. My first 3 babies were the type that usually had a poopy diaper after every feeding. But, then along came our little surprise 4th born and she started out pooping the meconium in the hospital but didn't have another bowel movement for 10 days! I had her into the doctor 3 times to check for a bowel obstruction, but she was fine. She would typically go 4-7 days before having a poopy diaper. She is 10 years old now and still only goes every 2-3 days. My grandson is 8 months old. His mom, my daughter, breast fed him exclusively until about 5 months when she had to go back to work. When he began to drink the occassional formula bottle, he got really constipated so we had to mix the formula and breast milk until he got used to it. When solids were introduced to him he went through the constipation thing again. Some babies have bowel issues during the first year since their systems are still maturing. Babies often strain, grunt, turn red, and cry while having a bowel movement. This is normal and not a sign of constipation. True constipated babies have small, pebble like, hard stools when they do go.

Answer 5

I suggest you contact your doctor for his/her recommendation. If the formula comes thickened already you may have to switch to an unthickened brand. If you are thickening it yourself at your doctor's suggestion (I am assuming for treatment of acid reflux) then you might try not thickening it or only using 1/2 as much thickening agent. Do not give your baby water of any amount right now. She is too young to drink plain water unless your doctor suggests it and then it will likely only be an ounce at a time. Most doctors avoid this suggestion due to the risk of a potentially harmful condition called water toxicity. A baby's maturing digestive system is designed to handle breast milk ultimately and when that isn't offered, a commercially prepared formula is the next best thing. Whenever you add anything further such as the thickening, some babies simply can't process all this extra stuff in their system. You may be able to add an additional ounce of water to her formula bottles or a small amount of white grape juice or pear juice in her formula bottle. I'd stay clear of Karo syrup. It is a long held practice to use Karo syrup for babies and consitpation, but there are some risks such as getting too much in their system which pulls too much water from their bodies and results in diarrhea. I am 49 years old and was given the traditional "home made" formula of Pet milk, Karo syrup, and water. Most babies in my generation were given this. I lived to tell about it, but it is not the healthiest choice. Everything I have researched says for babies under 2 months with constipation always call your doctor first.

Answer 6

well i dont think that it causes constipation but its easier to absorb and digest so there isnt as much "waste" as with formula i nursed for 9 months straight and my daughter went everyday for like 4 days then 3 times a week then 2 a week then 1 time a week i got nervous about it so this is what i did, i took childrens supositories, cut it in half and then split it down the middle and used it one time a week sometimes 2 times just to make sure she wasnt compacted and my dr and the pharmasist said that it was fine, and not to worry about it at all when i started using formula she pooped more and when table food started.....your dr is dumb you can GOOGLE breastfeeding sites and read what they say, it dont cause constipation!

Answer 7

Breastfed babies can go up to a week without a bowel movement. It isn't because they are constipated but because her body is using all that you gave her. Plus when you switch back and forth it can sometimes mess things up a bit. I am sure all is fine, but as for your dr? I might think about switching. And I am sure you have thought if this, but...Have you thought of pumping and keeping those bottles frozen or in the fridge for when you are on the go? Just a thought! Good Luck!

Answer 8

My doctor told me like this. Breast milk can do one of two things, cause constipation for up to 3 to 4 days or make baby go every time the eat. I would talk to him about giving her a laxative to help if she is hurting from the constipation. I give my son a small amount of milk of magnesia.

Answer 9

Breastmilk does NOT cause constipation, FORMULA DOES!!! Find another ped. If he doesn't know something as basic as that, I wonder how much else he doesn't know.

Answer 10

yup i think the formula milk is the culprit... maybe what you should do is try diluting the formula milk more like adding a little bit of water or decreasing the amount of the formula. too much formula constipates babies. trust me...been there, done that...good luck!!