16 Week Old Hasn't Pooped in Two Days.... Is This Normal?

Your baby is probably o.k. It does seem alarming when you are told to count the times your baby poops and pees every day and you get used to the frequency of it all. However, even breastfed babies who normally poop a couple of times each day can go several days without pooping. We went trough this with our doctor (I bet every mom asks this!), too. I don't remember how many days she said, but I think she said even 10 days would be nothing to worry about.

YES! It is absolutely NORMAL for an EXCLUSIVELY breastfed baby to not poop for UP TO 11 days without concern. By exclusive, I mean NOTHING by mouth but your own milk. If you don't believe me, ask your ped, or a trained lactation consultant. It is normal, and OK and IMPOSSIBLE for a breastfed baby to get constipated. Good luck, you're doing just fine!

*edited to add* Please don't give your baby water or prune juice. He is much too young and you could disrupt his delicate digestive system.

This happened to us too. My doctor said breastfeed babies rarely get consitpated and the poops can slow down the older they get. AS long as his belly is soft and he doesnt seem uncomfortable. If you are really concerned after another day or two, call your doctor.

It may be normal but not healthy for 16-week old baby having 2-day constipation holding toxins from feces inside his little body. Help him drink more water and moderate amount of prune juice which is natural laxative after checking with your pediatrician. Too much iron in his system may cause his constipation. Consider changing milk formula and baby food with no iron for a week only. Always check with your doctor to be on the safe side!

Hello R.,

No it's not normal... does it happen often, yes. have you changed your eating habits? are you having more milk products? are you getting enough calcium/magensium? Milk could be the culprict. good luck! ~Carmen~