Infant Constipation - Milpitas,CA

Unless she has hard stools, it is probably not constipation. My daughter (exclusively breastfed) only had a bowel movement once a week when she was under 6 months old (before starting any food). It was an amazing doozy of a mess that would flow over the top of her diaper and all over everything.

The doctor said it was totally normal. She was like clockwork and we knew to plan for a huge mess on Tuesday afternoons. Talk with your pediatrician if you are really concerned.

my husband is a chiropractor and he treats constipated babies often. Many new moms have thanked him because a simple gentle manipulation of the baby's spine frees the nerve channels to the bowels and the baby is pooping again. He says that the birth process, the poor structure of infant car seats, etc., can cause the baby's spine to mis-align, and the adjustment re-aligns the spine. No need for unnecessary drugs. We're in Santa Cruz, most likely you are not, but I could refer you to someone depending on where you live.

Hi H. - If this were my child, I would look at my diet and see if I needed to balance it in respect to fruit and veg, caffeine etc... You could give her some extra water to drink in a bottle.

You could try some gentle massage of her tummy in a clockwise direction.

Good luck!

Both our boys (now 8 & 3.5 yrs) did the same thing at the same age. Just like others have said, our ped. said they were OK & could go abotua week w/o pooping. If she starts to get visibly uncomfortable: fussy, pulling up her legs then she may be constipated & should go back to the dr.

Hi H.,

It is not healthy for your baby or anyone to not have bowel movements everyday. That is how the body rids itself from toxins and waste.

Are you drinking enough water? What kind of water are you drinking? Are you getting enough enzymes in your diet? This all matters as you have to get enough for you to be able to supply your baby.

I am a wellness consultant and work with many individuals to educate them how to maintain optimal health and it starts now with your little one.

If you are interested in learning more feel free to email me and I will share.

Have a wonderful weekend.

N. Marie

Don't worry to much unless she looks like she's in pain. both of my children have gone very close to a week (one went 8 days) without a bowel movement. It most likely means she's growing and using EVERY ounce of nourishment up that there is no "waste".

If she is still having normal wet (pee) diapers, I wouldn't worry to much. I would note what day she did have her last BM just so that you don't forget if it goes longer.

If you are concerned (I was scared to death with my first one), call your doctor to confirm, or like I like to do, just so it's in their file.

But I don't think you have anything to worry about....

good luck
K.

H. be concerned did you call your doctor yet, have you ever been constipated she should have several bowel movements at that age if she's having none I would be concerned, I can't believe she's not acting strangely like crying or extra fussy please call your doctor in the morning it should be a simple fix like a suppository but I would check with your doctor before giving her anything like that you probably won't need to bring her in if money is an issue. I have four children 24,23,16,14, I've seen a lot I have never heard of a baby going a week without a bowel movement and not needing extra help to go.

I have a 4 month old, and when we visited the pediatrician at his 8 week appt. we were told this could happen and not to worry. The pediatrician said it was normal and said it's possible for him to not have a bowel movement for up to a week or so. I do understand you concern, but I think it's okay. You could call your pediatrician just to make you feel better.

Check with your pediatrician, but if I'm remembering correctly, a breast fed infant can go up to a week without a BM.

Just like clock work my little baby started with this same pattern at your babies age. But the time between each bowel movment has gotten longer and longer. 11 days last time. I've started writting it on the calender or I'll lose track. Our Doctor says it's normal. She said I could give her a small amount of water or juice. Not to keen on the juice idea. I know it's scary when this first starts happening. When my baby is over due and seeming uncomfortable I give her a bath and tummy massage. We were also told that inserting a thermomitor can help stimulate a movment. Last resort for us is a suppository, sometimes it's the only thing that works. uuggg!! Good luck and congradulations on your little baby.

How much milk is she getting? BM has a lot of enzymes in it, and if she's taking enough, it should help her go...try to feed her a little more often if you're going by time, or feed on demand...

-J.

Hi H., a day or two is no cause for worry but if she goes another day she will need some help. Normally the procedure is to try about 2oz. of water with one teaspoon of Karo syrup mixed in - the sugar stimulates the bowels. If that doesn't work there are infant suppositories but they should only be used if nothing else works. Sometimes just taking off her diaper and touching gently around her anus can cause her to push :) Good luck!

Its normal at that age. If she is fussy and crying I would call the doc. But if she is still eating fine and having plenty of pee diapers she is ok. My doc said that as they grow older they are digesting their food more and will have less bowel movements. If you are breastfeeding try drinking apple juice or eat something with more fiber, it may help her in your breast milk.
www.helpmomstayhome.com

It's normal. They can go up to 10 days without a BM and it's fine. Please don't give her anything (suppository or Karo syrup). If she seems uncomfortable or in pain, call the advice nurse, but it's unusual for a breastfed baby to be constipated.

Kaiser told us that they can go a week without pooping! Now if your little one is in discomfort or pain, call the doctor!

D.

My kids both had this issue. The longest without a movement was 1 week, (I had friends who went 2 weeks). My doctor said as long as there were plenty of wet diapers and in good spirits everything should be o.k. I got a little freaked out and put a thermometer tip in her buns and this made her push and go, finally. Tummy massage seems to help. Both my kids were breast fed and from time to time got backed up for up to a week. If she seems healthy she should be fine.

Go to the safeway and get a bottle of Karole syrup( I might be spelling the syrup wrong) Antway put 2teaspoons of the syrup in with 8oz of water and give to baby (make sure to shake well) and baby should poop in no time. From : a mom of three boys.

not sure if you have the book what to expect in the first year my friend uses it all the time and uses it as a guide when to call the doctor. I would say to call the doctor they will tell you if it's a concern, and if you need to come in. Does the baby also have a fever?

Hi,

First of all congrats on the little one! My daughter was the same way. I was told by the Dr that some times babies can go up to a full week with out having a bowel movement. My daughter was really bad with constipation until she was 7 months old. When she was about 3 1/2 months my husband and I were told by my cousin that we could use Glycerin suppositories (pediatric Laxative) to lube her a bit. It worked great.. once in a while when my daughter needed some extra help I we would shave it down to a small stick and gently slide it up her rear (only half way) and she would end up passing a bowel movement. Also if you have started your daughter on any cereals I found that Rice, Barley and mixed grain, plugged her up... So I now stick with Oatmeal, and every once in a while I would give her some of the others...

Also I was told By the Dr that you can give them prune juice,,, 2 oz water to 2 oz prune... or apple or White grape juice.. if that doesn't work you can try giving the baby just Prune baby food it she is ready for that... if none of that works You may want to contact your Dr.. but I know that We tried every thing!!!!!! Good luck and let me know if this helps!!!!!

Nope. This is totally normal for a breastfed baby. Just--when she does go, be aware that it's likely to overload the diaper!

Hello H....

You should be concerned when she's in pain and how she does it ... try to buy "What to expect the first year"... that would definitely help you understand also how it works with babies having BM, because it is not the same as adults or children... sometimes they go for a week , 2 weeks and that doesn't mean they are constipated... My son is almost 13 months and when he was 2 months (breasfed as well) it happened to us the same, my husband was way worried than I was so he called the doctor and they told us to give him 2 tspoon of water with syrup karo whatever, if we wanted but that was normal.. I decided not to and let him be in peace because he wasn't showing any symptoms like pain or discomfort ...

you know... babies are not considered to be constipated unless those infrequent movements are firmly formed or come out in hard pellets, or if they cause pain or bleeding. If your baby's movements are soft and cause no problems after 3 days, 4 days, even a week, don't worry.

hope it helps

I'm sure everything is fine, but I would call your Dr. to be sure. 2 1/2 days is a while for a 2.5 month old to go without pooping. Like us, babies don't always poop everyday, but at 2.5 months I would call.

I think that I would call the advice line and maybe make an appointment, but I believe that it is an issue if the baby goes without a bowel movement for five days, then it is definitely a concern, hope this helps.