Baby Poop Question BF plus Formula

Updated on February 15, 2011
A.P. asks from Springfield, OR
9 answers

We recently started giving my 4-month old formula at night*. Before that he was exclusively BF and was pooping about once a week. Here comes TMI. It was a big poop and quite thick--totally normal for a BF baby. Since we added formula he has been pooping like crazy--he poops after each time I BF him all day! He get about 8oz of formula at night and the rest is BF. His new poops remind me of some of his early BF poop, runnier and with the "seediness" (as it's often described). Everything I've read says that formula should make him constipated or poop less, but so far he's having about 6 poops a day. They're not huge, but that's a lot more poop than we're used to dealing with. Also, they don't smell bad and they're the normal BF poop color. He seems quite happy and contented...Any thoughts? It is possible he has a milk allergy--or am I just over reacting to what seems like variation of normal? Thanks! I'm looking at him and he's happily cooing away, so I might be borrowing trouble here!

*(I know that lots of people have a personal reaction to the choice that we've made to add formula, but I'm confident that is the right choice for me family. I can't pump my milk, despite having what I'm told is a great pump, and I am the sole provider for my family so it's essential to my being able to feed all of them that I am on my game at work. I went back to work when my son was 4 weeks old (didn't qualify for FMLA) and have been rushing home every three hours to feed him. So I BF twice during the night and he gets two bottles of formula from dad in addition...yes, he's up 4 or 5 times a night and no co-sleeping hasn't worked for us).

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M.S.

answers from Portland on

It sounds totally normal. Breast milk is almost all good stuff, so very little of it needs to be pooped out, hence the once a week poop. Formula on the other hand is more like adult food... Lots of waste in it. Babies that are formula fed will go much more often because there is so much more waste. Normally, formula would also cause it to be firmer or thicker, but since you are feeding both, pretty much anything in that spectrum would be considered normal.
If you are worried about allergies, be on the lookout for tummy pain, blood in his stool, vomiting, or rash.

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S.J.

answers from St. Louis on

I think it is somewhat telling that you feel the need to "explain" yourself regarding your choice to use formula. It shows the tendency for so many moms on here to attack or otherwise say things that make other moms feel bad for their choices. Pretty sad.......

My little guy is breastfed, but we give him formula at night on ocassion when he seems to not be satisfied after emptying both breasts. I know how hard it is to breastfeed and work, so kudos to you mommy!

The way I understand it, anything from pooping after every feeding to no pooping for an entire week (after any blockage issues or something are elminated as a possiblity) is completely normal. He sounds completely normal to me. Our little guy sounds to be on a similar schedule and he poops about two to three times per day. If you are extremely concerned, contact your pediatrician. They may not even need you to come in regarding this, they may just talk with you over the phone and give you the reassurance you need.

Best wishes!

3 moms found this helpful
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D.M.

answers from Denver on

First of all, don't let anyone give you a hard time about using formula! Second, any change to the diet this young will produce different (poop). Also, they do go through stages of pooping more/less. My son did have a milk allergy - didn't show until 8 weeks and he was MISERABLE... very slimy mucusy poop... The curds are probably partially digested,but that may be ok - just his body adjusting. If he's happy, keep it up. Maybe call the Dr. to get a professional opinion. Enjoy the little guy!

2 moms found this helpful
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B.B.

answers from New York on

Bless your heart, you don't have to explain your decision to use formula!!

Hum, I think that if it were a milk allergy you would already know that from BFing, unless you don't do dairy. And the fact that he is happily cooing away makes me think that it definitely isn't an allergy! Our first son had a milk/soy protein intolerance and there were no questions about whether or not he had a problem. His poop was green and mucousy, sometimes blood streaked, he was super fussy, he would throw up very shortly after we fed him, he had eczema patches and had a red ring around his anus. According to our pediatric GI dr, those are all indications of a milk sensitivity.

I think he is body is probably just adjusting to the new addition of the formula.

2 moms found this helpful
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P.H.

answers from Portland on

I wish you didn't feel like to have to justify your feeding! I think whatever choice a parent makes is their decision. Period. That being said, congrats on being so in tune with your baby. Every time you change their diet the poop will change as well. Whether it be the frequency, color, consistency, etc. Just look out for "weird" poops, the mucus, blood, funky color or smell. Those will be an indicator of something more. Good luck.

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V.T.

answers from Dallas on

My daughter was strictly formula fed and up until about 6 months she pooped mutliple times a day, and up until about 14 months, she was pooping at least twice a day. While there are different symptoms for a milk allergy, My daughter had blood streaks in her poop and we had it tested and she had a milk allergy. It didn't happen until she was 3 months old. My daughter's behavior never changed and she was a happy baby even when dealing with the milk allergy. She did out grow it and was put on cow's milk at 1 year and is doing find at 2 years. If you are concerned, it maybe worth the co-pay to have your daugher tested.

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J.N.

answers from Seattle on

I'm with the other mommas...you don't have to justify using formula :) My kids were the same way - bf until 3 months and then we introduced formula when I returned to work (still bfing too).

His diapers sound perfectly normal. As you start to introduce rice cereal and baby foods, his diaper will change again. Unless he seems like he's not feeling well, I bet he's perfectly fine :)

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N.I.

answers from Portland on

I am not commenting on your baby's poop except to say that he needs to poop (like every one else on the planet) at least once per day and maybe even twice. If he is only having a BM once a week he is constipated. Your body was made to push the food out every time you eat and if you or your baby or anyone else is not having a BM once per day they are constipated. Even Dr. OZ says this. Animals poop once or twice per day and so should humans.

N.

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N.Z.

answers from Portland on

Everybody poops on their own schedule. I had one boy that pooped everyday, and one that pooped twice a week. Some doctors believe we don't poop enough and that we should all experience a bm with the frequency in which we eat. Example: 3 meals = 3 bm's.
If he has other symptoms, gassy, eczema, or is more fussy, then I'd be concerned.
At this point from what I'm reading is, he has decent colon health. Just continue to be aware of what is going on. Sounds like you are doing a good job.

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