Breastfed Baby Hasnt Pooped in 11 Days Different Opinions from Providers.

Updated on July 20, 2011
S.2. asks from Bakersfield, CA
18 answers

Hello Mommy Scholars
My 2 month old is on day 11 of not having a BM.She's smiling, laughing, eating, and peeing regularly. I took her to the doctor Friday and the doctor suggested 1oz of white grape juice daily until she goes. if she hasn't gone by Monday he suggested that I add 1 oz of infant prune juice to the equation.
I contacted my hospitals lactation consultant because after the first oz of grape juice she began acting up. Her tummy was bothering her and all she could do was pass gas. So I called Miss C the trusted nursing nurse. She said that it is completely normal for the exclusive breastfed baby to go through a phase of not pooping for an extended period of time. This is due to the baby using everything being given in the milk and the only byproduct of human milk is water so she'll only have wet diapers for a little while. She said don't interfere with her bowels unless she starts showing signs that she's in pain not eating etc...
So, I'm interested in getting other mothers feedback. I feel like lactation consultatnts and the breastfeeding community as a whole tends to be a bit more holistic (and so am I) than others so their opinons always lean towards the natural approach. But, what about the rest of you guys? thoughts? experiences?

Thanks

What can I do next?

  • Add yourAnswer own comment
  • Ask your own question Add Question
  • Join the Mamapedia community Mamapedia
  • as inappropriate
  • this with your friends

Featured Answers

M.M.

answers from Tucson on

I dont know whats normal, but my lil 2m old boy poos almost after every feeding. He is also EBF. He poos about 6 times a day.

2 moms found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.C.

answers from Des Moines on

Totally normal and nothing to worry about. If she's like my son she's waiting until you're running late AND she has a brand new/really cute outfit on and then she'll have a MAJOR blow out...

1 mom found this helpful

More Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.T.

answers from Dallas on

i know my breastfed babies went through periods of pooping 13 times a day, and periods of not pooping for 13 days! if it were me, i would NOT give juice to a 2 month old unless she were showing signs of problems(cyring inconsolably, pulling her knees up to tummy, refusing to nurse). now, a formula fed baby is a VERY different equation, but it is totally normal for a breastfed baby to poop all the time or very rarely. i'd watch more for a happy baby and sufficient wet diapers and aviod the juice unless absolutely necessary :) good luck!

5 moms found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

E.M.

answers from Phoenix on

My son went up to 10 days with no BM when he was exclusively breastfed. If your baby isn't "straining," uncomfortable, etc, then she probably isn't constipated. The juice is for constipation...if she isn't constipated, it's useless and just takes up room in her belly where breastmilk should be. I would give it a couple of days, as long as she is happy. If she is constipated, then she would likely show signs (straining like she is trying really hard to poo, pulling her legs up, tiny dry poos or a very little, very liquid poo, constant gas, etc) and you might want to consider the juice, etc, in that case.
I remember being very nervous when mine went 10 days, but everything was just fine!

4 moms found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

A.P.

answers from Eugene on

My son went somewhere in the neighborhood of 3 weeks between poops when he was that age. When we would get toward the end of that time we would be afraid to leave the house because of the blowout that would always happen. My friends baby would go a month! Our LC told us that length between poops is not constipation--the hardness of the stool is. I never worried at all about it and he's a healthy 4 year old now...enjoy the clean diapers!

4 moms found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

L.M.

answers from Norfolk on

11 days seems excessive. My children go through periods where they may go every third day (exclusively breastfed) but never more than a week. I would want the pediatrician to at least ultrasound baby's belly to ensure there are no obstructions, but I suppose if you're getting wet diapers and the baby's color and disposition seem OK, then there's not too much of a problem. I feel bad for that baby when things do get moving again.

2 moms found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

C.B.

answers from Boston on

I would go with the nursing nurse's answer, especially since the grape juice was causing stomach upset or gas and before that she was happy and fine. Keep nursing and she is probably just using every bit of the milk solids to grow. I would let nature take its course.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.S.

answers from Minneapolis on

My second daughter had a similar situation, and I was paranoid because her older sister was of the poop after every feeding type. I did bring her to the dr., and after checking a couple things to make sure she didn't have an obstruction or an issue with her bottom, she declared she was just fine!

I probably wouldn't give her juice, but I would bring her in to see if she has any other problems.

Good luck!

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

K.B.

answers from San Francisco on

My exclusively breastfed baby routinely went 5-10 days between poops (and they were huge blow-outs, as you can imagine). That was just her norm. At times, she would start to seem uncomfortable by Day 9 or 10, but frequently a little exercise (getting in the Jumperoo when she was old) enough did the trick. I will say that she is now four years old and has been prone to constipation her whole life. However, we have learned to prevent it with LOTS of fruits, vegetables and water.

1 mom found this helpful

M.M.

answers from Tampa on

Definitely normal for breastfed babies to have very few poops, especially this young. When she DOES finally poop - as long as she doesn't strain and have really hard poop, then you'll know for sure things are fine.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

H.A.

answers from San Francisco on

Hi there,

I wouldn't give her anything but breastmilk before 6 months, at the earliest. I've read that introducing other foods, or juice, can interfere with the baby's ability to absorb the nutrients in breastmilk.

I would check with your dr. first, but you could give her a glycerine suppository? Or maybe that's for older babies.

Another thing you could try (sounds strange...) is to use a lubed anal thermometer and very gently wiggle it around in there. Our pediatrician suggested that. I'm living in Italy, and here all the grandmothers suggest using the stem of parsley. :)

My 9 month old has had long stretches between poops since we introduced "solids", and he seems uncomfortable with a lot of gas. Sounds like your little one is feeling fine, so I guess I'd just wait until it works itself out.

Good luck!

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

D.B.

answers from Charlotte on

.

1 mom found this helpful

C.T.

answers from Detroit on

this happened to me as well with my son when he was the same age. and i was so worried but hid doctor told me that sometimes with breastfed babies they absorb EVERYTHING that the milk is providing so that dont have bm's for a while. as long as they long as they are urinating they should be aright.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

N.A.

answers from San Francisco on

Hi S.,

I am sorry to hear your baby is not going to the bathroom. Are you drinking enough water and what kind of water are you drinking? It is important to drink good water so your body will absorb it and the baby can also. It is important for her to get regular as she will have a toxin build up in her system. I work with individuals to help them with a new life style when they are ready.

Let me know if I can help.

Have a great day. Good luck.

N. Marie
____@____.com

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.E.

answers from San Francisco on

Regarding the prune juice - I've had prune juice and you can "feel" it so I can imagine that she could feel it in her bowels. If she's content I wouldn't worry about it. I always trusted the breastfeeding experts over the docs.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

C.T.

answers from San Francisco on

Ya, giving juice and water to a 2 month old is not good. For breastfed babies, it's easy to solve this problem if it really is a problem (this is common and pretty normal unless he strains while pooping, bm's are round pellets when they come out, or if his stomach feels really hard). BF babies will react to everything you eat!!! Many babies will get constipated or extra gassy to foods you eat like dairy products, chocolate, caffeine, and the big one Mexican food/spicy food, some even red pasta sauce. The best thing for you to do is avoid some of those foods, load yourself up on fruits and vegetables, and tons of water. Remember your breastmilk is only as nutritous as what you eat, if you drink a lot of liquids other than water your baby will not be fully hydrated, if you eat fastfood/carbs/suagrs/meats more than fruits and veggies your baby will not be getting the vitamins, nutrients, cleansing, immunity that hs needs. Remember rule of thumb - every meal while breastfeeding should consists of 2/3 fruits and veggies, only 1/3 of the meal should be meat and carbs. Eggs, beans and salmon are wonderful proteins that can count more towards the fruit and veggie side and water water water!!

J.G.

answers from San Antonio on

She acts fine with the breastmilk and no poop?
She acts fussy with the grape juice?
I say stop the juice and just let nature take it's course.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

T.C.

answers from Colorado Springs on

Take her to a chiropractor. She will probably go on her way home. ;)

For Updates and Special Promotions
Follow Us

Related Questions