Dirty Diaper Problem

Updated on August 27, 2009
S.E. asks from Winfield, KS
17 answers

Hello. I am just wondering if it is normal that my 4 month old daughter has not had a dirty diaper for over 24 hours. She has had plenty of wet ones but none dirty. I had a doctor's appointment for her yesterday morning and I asked the doctor if it was normal that she only poop twice a day but now she hasn't pooped at all. I have had problems with constipation in the past and maybe I just need to completely rethink my diet because I am still only breastfeeding. I know I am going to try starting cereal in a couple of weeks and I plan on going with the whole grain cereal. Is this the solution or should I be more worried?

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So What Happened?

Thanks everyone for all of your great responses! I found out what I needed to know that it is completely normal. The very next day she had a lovely exploding diaper (good thing my mom was babysitting). Still hasn't had any more dirty diapers since then but I now know that it is normal. Thanks everyone also for the encouragement and support that I am breastfeeding. I think that is part of the problem today that not enough people reward and support the people that are breastfeeding. When my daughter was born my own mother-in-law was against it, but only because she wanted to take care of the baby all the time. I fought her and my husband on it and now they just have to get over it because that is what I chose to do. So, thank you for the support and your responses!

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L.D.

answers from Topeka on

I think with these little ones we worry to soon about what to change. Than parents load them up with prune or apple juice and than the horrid kayro. I can remember when my second was that age he went 5 days at one point and man I can tell you I was worried, but than I sat down and watched him he was not in pain and his belly was soft so I waited and atlast it came. I am not one who likes pushing the diet on infants they are sensitive enough. if you get more fiber so will she. good luck

2 moms found this helpful
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R.J.

answers from Chattanooga on

For a baby that is exclusively breastfed, it is completely normal to go days between bowel movements.

Cereal is likely to cause constipation issues not solve them. Recent research has shown that waiting until 6 months to introduce any solid is best.

1 mom found this helpful

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A.B.

answers from Kansas City on

Yes, very normal. Breastfed babies make very little waste because the milk is exactly what they need. Also, cereal will only constipate your baby because of the high iron content. I would wait until 6 months to start cereal, anyway; that is the most current recommendation for starting solid foods.

2 moms found this helpful
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B.S.

answers from Kansas City on

As everyone else mentioned, it's completely fine and normal for your breastfed baby to not poop every day. Mine would go several days at a time when she was little, but I never worried about it, because of a story our ped. had told me early on. She's a mom of 4 girls, and with her 3rd breastfed daughter, she told me the baby went 11 days without pooping! She was not worried, because it's okay for them to go that long, but the consequences of that can be icky - she said her daughter then pooped so much that it exploded out her diaper, and the dr. had to cut her onesie off because she couldn't bear to smear that poop all over her baby's face! Good luck with your little one. I know what it is like to get caught up in worries about how much theyeat, sleep, and poop!

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L.C.

answers from Kansas City on

good job nursing mama! i am always so proud to see other breast feeding moms! actually, it is totally normal for a breast fed baby to go a day or 2 without pooping. its just because breast milk is so easily digestible and is giving them what they need, so they dont have as much waste to excrete.

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M.V.

answers from Kansas City on

My baby's bowel pattern alao changed around this age or actually maybe a little younger. I got freaked out at first and even tried the thermometer trick. I have a breast feeding book and looked this up in there. It says that breastfed babies, at about 1 month old may change to very infrequent. After that time it is normal for them to go 7-10 days without a bowel movement. Once the solids start, look out! Much bigger and much stinkier!

Have fun with your little one! I wouldn't worry unless she seems uncomfortable.

1 mom found this helpful
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J.R.

answers from St. Louis on

Hi S., it is NOT uncommon for breastfeed babies to go several days without having a dirty diaper. My friend exclusively breastfeed and her daughter would go a week without having one. Breastmilk is such an efficient food for babies that it doesn't usually creat a lot of waste. Keep your doctor posted and watch baby to be crabby and uncomfortable. Good Luck!

1 mom found this helpful
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P.J.

answers from Topeka on

Hi, not sure if you've already gotten a million responses, but thought I'd share my experience with you!! My son was a few months old & hadn't had a dirty diaper in 2 days, I called the pediatrician & she said that was totally normal for a breastfed baby, my son didn't have anything but breastmilk for the first 6 months. Well, after 6 days I started to worry & again was told it was "normal for breastfed babies" so at 10 days...I'm freakin out, still the same response from Dr.!! 12 days...really freaked out, I called my friend & she told me to get a baby fleet enema, i did & gave it to him & he was poopin' as i picked him up off the changing table!!! then filled 2 more diapers! I have no idea why it is "normal", well I think I remember the Dr. saying that the breastmilk is so pure & good for them, sometimes there is no waste, weird ehe?? But it's hard to handle when you know how it feels to be constipated!!! I had to do that twice with my 1st & once with my 2nd! they are 10 & 5 now & healthy as can be!! breastmilk is an awesome thing for babies, even if they don't poop all the time!!
I hope this helps you, enjoy your little one, they grow up too fast!!! PJ

1 mom found this helpful
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B.W.

answers from Springfield on

My daughter went through the same thing when she was close to that age. She did not act uncomfortable in any way, and I do not believe she was constipated. Our pediatrician said that she simply needed all that she was taking in and did not get rid of it. The dirty diapers are what is "extra" or not needed. She was going about once every 5 to 6 days. It was very hard to deal with at first, when you go from several times a day with a newborn, to none at all. I bet the cereal will change things. Just wait for the vegetables and fruits! It gets more interesting every day! Ha ha!
P.S. She was my first and only as well, 11 months today.

1 mom found this helpful
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S.R.

answers from Kansas City on

Just a suggestion on the cereal. We used the oatmeal because the rice blocked the little guy up. He's nearly 11mo now and eats EVERYTHING - so long as he can do it himself. He doesn't let us feed him anymore. Guess that independent streak is hereditary!

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H.L.

answers from Kansas City on

I have the same issue with my little guy. They told me not to worry either (our babysitter- who has years of experience said the same thing). We were told as long as he poops at least everyother day, he's ok. Breastmilk is such a perfect food, that they don't have as much waste and have fewer poops that formula fed babies! We started our guy on cereal a few weeks ago and he had his first vegetable last night! When you do start your daughter on cereal, her poops will be a lot more solid and could be less frequent. If you do think she's constipated, my dr. had us add 1 teaspoon of caro syrup to a bottle of breast milk. It's gentle on their system, and really did the trick for us.

Hope this helps!

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R.D.

answers from Kansas City on

Greetings, S.!
Breastmilk is the PERFECT FOOD for babies for the first six months (some research even shows exclusive BF for first year is enough nutrition for baby). PLEASE don't give that dear little one anything else - especially any kind of sugar water, syrup, supository, or enema! These are unnecessary and potentially harmful or dangerous!

My son (exclusively BF first six mo) went five or six days without a BM and I was a wreck! I took him to his DR, and she felt around his belly, listened to his digestion via stethescope, and asked if he was acting like he was in pain. He wasn't. She said to R-E-L-A-X!!! Everything was fine. Exclusively breastfed babies may go days without a BM. "Even a week?" I nervously asked....."Yes!" she answered! Funny, as soon as we got home, he filled a diaper - biggest one in his life at that point! I guess the tummy rub helped? She felt around where the intestines are to see if there was blockage - anything 'hard' feeling. As long as tummy is soft, DON'T WORRY! I know - it is easier said than done. You obviously want what is BEST because you decided to BF. You are doing everything needed! You might drink a little more water or eat some oatmeal yourself if you feel it would help.

God Bless You and Your Little Blessing! Treasure Her!!

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A.S.

answers from Kansas City on

Hi S. -

Per my doctor, you don't need to start to worry until your child hasn't pooped for 3 days. At that point, go with sugar water, juice, etc... It is normal - just enjoy the break :)

Oh, and we have found that the medicine made by Little Remedies for constipation works wonderfully - if needed :)

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D.M.

answers from Lawrence on

Hi S.! I have a almost 3 1/2 year old and a son who will be 3 months old on sep. 4th. It is ok that she hasn't pooped in 24 hours. Sometimes babies poop everyday and will poop a couple times and then there maybe days when they don't poop at all. There are times when my son will poop a couple of times in one day and then he will poop once the next day and the day after he won't poop at all. It's totally normal, I promise. Have fun with your daughter, they grow so fast!!!

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K.B.

answers from Wichita on

Good Morning S., Yes it can be very normal for a baby to go a day or so without a BM. Just like we do, their little bodies are a constant change. Whatever you eat they get also through your milk.. Eat beans they can get gas also...;)
If your Ped. didn't seem concerned the baby is probably just fine and when she Poops Ohhhh my it might be a good one for sure.

God Bless you Lil Mama,
K. Nana of 5

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J.C.

answers from Kansas City on

Purely breastfed 4mo ol baby? totally normal! My 4 1/2 month old girl averages a bowel movement every 7 or 8 days ( and they are plenty runny, so it's not constipation!). We've started to introduce some solid food, so she's having a BM about every 5 days.

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S.H.

answers from Kansas City on

Hi S., my daughter went through the same thing. I freaked out went to the doc and he told me it was normal. She didn't poop for almost 6 days! I gave her a pedialax suppository and it worked-Quick. I only gave her 1. This went on for about 2 months.
She was fine, I guess her body was absorbing ALL of the breastmilk. Take care and don't worry too much
Steph

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