No Poopy Diaper in 24 Hours Bad??

Updated on November 15, 2010
C.P. asks from Phoenix, AZ
39 answers

i have a 6 week old preemie and he hasnt had a poopie diaper in about 24 hours. should i be worried??

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E.K.

answers from Denver on

Kids that young really can go a long time without pooping. My girls went up to 4 days without going sometimes and I was told by the pediatrician repeatedly that it was OK. Annyoying, but it should be OK.

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M.Z.

answers from Albuquerque on

My son who is 4 1/2 months old poops every 3rd day or so. One time he even went 6 days. I was worried about it at first, but I did a lot of reading, asked friends, and the doctor and everyone told me that it's perfectly normal (especially in breastfed babies). All babies are different...my daughter was a poopaholic!

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A.M.

answers from Phoenix on

Some babies can go a week without pooping and that's totally normal. My baby (2 1/2 mo.) poops every three days but he's big and fat and healthy (17lb.). If they're eating normal, but pooping less often, it just means they're pulling more of the nutrients out of the food so there's less waste. No worries!

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S.D.

answers from Reno on

Yes,you should worry. Get him to the doctor rightaway. I was also a preemie. Now I work as a C.N.A. in a hospital. Please,let me know. You and your little one are in our prays. Your friends,Sherry and Sharon Duranko.

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A.L.

answers from Phoenix on

No, my newest daughter went four days without pooping. I was frecking out! My doctor said that this is normal as long as she is not struggling and is still gaining weight. -A.

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A.D.

answers from Denver on

My son went 5 days without pooping a couple of months ago. The pediatrician said that it was fairly normal for breastfed babies to go 2-3 days. I'm not sure how this translates for preemies...so you might just want to call your doctor.

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A.F.

answers from Colorado Springs on

Hi C.. I am a mother of a three year old. When she was born she had the same problem with bowel movements. I am also a medical assistant and can medically and personally tell you that it is very common for babies, especially that young to have a long period of time in between bowel movements. First of all, their little bodies are still learning how to work, and all their little organs have to learn the roles they play. Trust me when I tell you that this as of right now is not a big deal. Just make sure that he is eating and wetting frequently. I have seen new borns go as long as 2-2 1/2 weeks without a poopy diaper, my own daughter was one of them, and her pediatrician said, "A., you know as well as I do that she is perfectly healthy". I know that seems like a very long time and you would be worried about toxins in the body but for little ones like that it is not unusual. If you want to initiate a bowel movement here is what you can do. 1. Put latex/non-latex gloves on. 2. Get some vasaline and put some on the very tip of your pinky finger. 3. Take your pinky finger and rub the bottom part of his rectum (butthole). Push slightly inward on his rectum as your rubbing it (Do not actually enter his rectum or he will be very unhappy). Do this for several minutes or until his bowels start moving. I know this sounds scary and gross, but it will not hurt him, he may not like it but it will not hurt him. What this does is stimulates his intestines and gets them moving. They are organs and until they learn how to properly work they need a little motivation and stimulation. You may want to have an old towel laying under him and several diapers on hand. When he does start going, he will be going and going and going. Especially if it has been a few days. I had to do this to my daughter about every two weeks for the first three months of her life, until her little body could rely on itself to do its job. If this does not work you may want to contact his pediatrician after 3-4 days to see if they have any other suggestions that does not invole using a suppository (suppositories for infants this young should be the last resort). The more time that goes by without a bowel movement the more uncomfortable and irratible he will be. Make sure he stays well hidrated and good luck.

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E.B.

answers from Phoenix on

Are you breastfeeding? If so, it is very common to actually go for several days without a poopie diaper. As long as there are wet ones, you don't need to worry. I have 5 kiddos and I have breastfed every one so this has happened many times with them. They cannot get constipated while you are exclusively breastfeeding.

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J.R.

answers from Denver on

Babies who are breastfed don't poop every day. As long as he has wet diapers you know he's hydrated. When in doubt call your pediatrician.

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D.M.

answers from Denver on

If they are eating they are pooping. That is the natural cycle and if they are not doing both I would let my doctor know right away. A baby can become dehydrated very quickly and bowel obstruction should be ruled out.
Bless you and your baby

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E.J.

answers from Phoenix on

My last baby was a preemie and when he was a month old he only pooped once a week (every Sat.) it usually came out of the diaper being a weeks worth of poo and all but he was just fine. It never made him fussy or anything, and once I started feeding him rice cereal at about 6 mos he became "normal", I breastfed exclusivly. And it is normal for breastfed babes to go a number of days between pooing. From what I have read and been told from the ped. is that breastfed babies cannot get contipated like formula fed. Good Luck and maybe you won't have to change a bunch of poopy diapers the next few months.

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G.N.

answers from Las Cruces on

One quetion has your baby had a wet diaper in the past 24 hrs?If she has not had a poopie diaper in a day and a half do please call a doctor because that is very unusuall for a 6 week old. Hope this helps you.

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T.H.

answers from Denver on

Good morning C.. You know, sometimes they get stopped up, if you dont see anything within the next six hours, call your pediatrician to see what they recommend. I totally suggest not being afraid to call the doctor for nearly everything!!! I called for all kinds of stuff. better safe than sorry especially with the little guy! Good Luck!

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H.H.

answers from Phoenix on

You need to tell us if you are breastfeeding or using formula.

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P.T.

answers from Fort Collins on

I've been told that every baby veries with his bm's. My son would do that as well. If it's more than a few days, then call your doctor. I gave my son water and it would help... Also, don't do enemas ect... just water...

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R.S.

answers from Colorado Springs on

My 9 month old son had these issues for the first 6 months of life. it boethered me but the dr. said that it can be normal for a breastfed baby to go for a week without a poopy diaper. yo can check with your dr. We did buy suppositories (no meds in them) and cut a sliver off and put it in his hiny and held it there (otherwise the suppository would shoot out) and then the flood gates would open (make sure you get the diaper closed pretty quickly after holding the suppository in for a few seconds). We only did this once because we could see his stomach starting to look swollen (that would be just before he went we discovered). Anyway, check with your dr. and see what they think to make sure they do not think there is a problem. BTW, now that he is eating "solids" he regularly has a few poopy diapers a day.

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S.M.

answers from Fort Collins on

DON'T WORRY!!!! it's totally normal for babies to not have messy dipers every day. especially if they are nursing. Mine can wait 2+ days before she'll have a messy diper so don't worry about it!

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J.C.

answers from Phoenix on

It is normal for an infant to go a day or two without a poopy diaper. My children were breastfed and they would go every 4 to 5 days. If he seems to get irritable I would call your doctor and ask for their advice. Good luck.

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J.P.

answers from Albuquerque on

Dont worry babies dont poop like adults they can go every other day to every third day. If you child doesn't poop in a day or two then get concerned or if the child is actining like they have an upset tommy they might be constipated. My kids only poop every other day or so.

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R.L.

answers from Reno on

Completely normal, don't worry if it goes more than twodays I would worry.

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S.F.

answers from Eugene on

I've had four preemies, and the first two did just that. The doctor had told me on the first one who pooped every three days that it might just be his body's rhythm and as long as he's eating, drinking and activity is fine just watch for changes. If it goes any longer or is irregular, I'd call the doctor.

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T.R.

answers from Denver on

Check with your pediatrician right away! How is your daughter doing otherwise? My third child was born 12 weeks early - 14 years ago.

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A.O.

answers from Denver on

No worries Mom, it is normal for babies to have one or two days without poop. Breast milk helps them poop better, but I had to feed my son formula as well and that would happen to him too. If I was on my third day and there was still no poop, what I did was to cover the tip of a thermometer (please, NO MERCURY) with a piece of saran wrap and dip the covered tip in vaseline. Then you "insert" a tiny bit of the tip on your baby's rectum. I saw that stimulated him to poop. Be gentle. I know, I suffered when I had to do that, but what's a desperate Mom to do. This was actually recommended to me by a nurse.

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S.B.

answers from Phoenix on

I wouldn't be worried. Our baby started to go only every few days starting at 6 weeks. The doc said as long as her tummy isn't hard and she doesn't appear uncomfortable, she should be fine.

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M.S.

answers from Flagstaff on

If you are breast feeding you have nothing to worry about somtimes they will go for four or five days without a stool on breastmilk. M. S.

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S.G.

answers from Denver on

There is no need to worry. My pediatrician said that it is okay, if they haven't had a poopy diper in 3 days then call the Dr. My 4 week old poops every other day.

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T.H.

answers from Denver on

My daughter was born at 36 weeks and throughout the first 12-15 weeks of her life she would go for extended periods of time without pooping... the longest was for 12 days - I know! I was beside myself and my pedicatrician kept reassuring me that she was okay... anyway, for many babies born early, their little systems aren't always ready for action. Try putting him in a warm tub with you and let him nurse while there - sometimes that works.

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K.C.

answers from Denver on

I also had a preemie who had stopped having bowel movements each day; I also nursed him and read that an indication that the baby is receiving enough milk is dirty diapers three to four times a day. I took him to the doctor who looked at him and chuckled; my son was playing on his back looking happy. The doctor said that some children go a week without soiling diapers. Look for wet diapers, the baby being uncomfortable, and irritability. And my baby was one who went only once a week--and that one time was a week's worth. Normal consistency--no pebbles. If you are very concerned, go and have your child weighed. And if the baby seems happy, go with the flow. Hopes this helps.

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L.A.

answers from Phoenix on

Nope, nothing to be too concerned about just yet. He's young and BMs are not yet regular. Also, if he's breastfed, he could go up to a week before pooping.

Look for him to be uncomfortable or trying really hard to eliminate but not getting anything. If you see some of those signs, call your pediatrician. He will recommend a couple different of things to try.

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S.R.

answers from Phoenix on

I myself just had a preemie baby boy last thursday! The Dr's told me that it is not out of the norm for them to go 3-4 days without a bowel movement and not too worry as long as they are producing wet diapers than its perfectly fine. I know my son had 3 bowel movements when he was first born then he didnt have one for a couple of days but is now going just fine, I wouldnt worry about it.

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J.W.

answers from Denver on

If he is exclusively breast-fed that's not unusual. My daughter once went three days. I took her to the pediatrician and he said not to worry, breast-fed babies do that sometimes. She did explode! the next day, but after that she was fine. If he's a formula baby, I would check in with the doc if he hasn't in another day.

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J.D.

answers from Denver on

My son had all sorts of issues with this start just about 6 weeks. The doctors told me not to intervene until around day 3 or so. When I got to that point I would put a bunch of vasoline on his bottom and take a wipe and press gently (VERY GENTLY) on his bottom. This stimulates pushing... after only a few seconds he usually pooped. Since the baby is so young I would call your doctor if you pass 48 hours.

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K.S.

answers from Phoenix on

you could call your pediatrician and ask them? Preemies follow different rules then term babies..you should consult your doctor.

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L.B.

answers from Tucson on

No, don't worry. Especially not if he's breastfed. I took my son to the doctor all the time saying he was constipated and she finally told me "it's perfectly normal for a baby not to have a bowel movement for days sometimes even more than a week. Stop worrying and enjoy your baby" and I give the same advice to you. Stop worrying, enjoy your baby.

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B.B.

answers from Phoenix on

All of my babies went through that. Their doctor said it was perfectly normal. He just said not to let it go past 5 days. Be thankful you are past the stage of him pooping every time he eats! As long as he isn't acting uncomfortable, I wouldn't worry about it. I hope that helps!

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S.N.

answers from Phoenix on

C., I have had two babies at 36 weeks, one even a bit earlier. My doctor said treat them just like a full-term baby as long as they're gaining weight. Both of them and even my third sometimes went up to 4-5 days without pooping and it was okay. I always say when in doubt call the pediatrician's office and ask for advice from the nurse.

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V.R.

answers from Phoenix on

I used formula for my gilr/Boy preemie twins. They were on Similac until they were about 6 weeks old. Then I noticed that my daughters poopy diapers had stopped and she was starting to get fussy. I talked to her dr and he said not to worry, but i could give her a little prune juice diluted with water if I wanted to help her. I did this and it helped, but I also went with my gut feeling and decided to change her formula. I am lactose intollerant and so was my husbands niece and nephew and sister. She ended up on Gentlease (soy and has less iron (wich causes gas). Her bowl movements became more regular and gas subsided. Good Luck and if all else fails, it never hurts to go with your gut feeling!

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E.S.

answers from New York on

I have a 3 week old and she hasn't had a poop in 2 days. Should I be worried.

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J.M.

answers from Denver on

Don't be worried. My daughter was six weeks premature and she woulld go up to five days w/o any poopie diapers. If you are concerned, you can put a tsp. of Karo syrup in his bottle, or a few piches of sugar. The sweetness will get his system going. Hope this helps!

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