Not Doing #2 - Bronx,NY

Baby may be constipated :(. Feel his tummy to see if it is hard and if it is the only juice sensitive enought for his tummy right now is Gerber pear juice, mixed with water, prune juice as said in another suggestion is not good for this age. I would take him to the doctor's if he doesn't start pooping again almost daily as most breastfed babies do. If there is another cause for this it is best to treat it now, I say this because I went through a newborn with HORRIBLE constipation which started out of the blue when she was about a month old. I had to give my daughter suppositories in order to poop for about 3 months, and that was the only way she pooped.

hi jespehine! congratulations to you on your wonderful new baby and on your successful nursing!

Your baby is probably fine; pooping can be very erratic in newborns. breastfeeders especially tend to use up all thier food, it's the most efficient food there is, and leaves little to poop out. if you are really worried you could try giving the baby a bit of tepid prune juice w an eye dropper or on your finger, it certainly won't harm him if given a teaspoon or so at a time, but not more.

try to avoid formula if at all possible, it really is a poor food substitute, no matter what the doctor may say (remember that they get money and perks from formula companies.) how about trying a pump, the best is the Medela Hospital Grade Classic which you can rent from any surgical supply store and should come w very clear assembly directions (husbands are good at putting these things together.) it will be a bit of money to rent but your breast milk in a bottle, if you can't be with the baby, is so much better than any formula, it is really worth it.

if you continue to have concerns look up your local La Leche League chapter on the web and call the chapter leader or try a meeting, they are really the best nutrition and nursing resource at this early stage for you.

if you would like to chat more about nursing you can email me directly.

good luck and big hugs!
J.

Hi! Congrats on your new baby! A few things...first of all, what many of the moms said here about breastfed babies not pooping is true. Breastfed babies poop often, yes. But it isnt uncommon for them to go several days, or even a week without pooping.

Someone suggested giving your baby some prune juice. I highly advise against this. Babies under 6 months ahouldnt have any other foods other than breastmilk. Their digestive systems just cant handle it and it will only compound your problems. For an older baby, it may work. But you are risking a lot of potential problems by giving this to your baby.

Ditch the formula! I would be willing to bet the reason your baby isnt pooping isnt the normal course of being a breastfed baby, but the fact that formula was introduced. Formula is heavily constipating and is very hard for babies to digest. Get rid of it! Not only is it (again) causing a host of potential problems for your baby, but you could be entering dangerous waters if you want to have a successful breastfeeding relationship. Formula is very rarely necessary to give nursing babies. Please call your local La Leche League leader (or your WIC breastfeeding Peer Counselor) if you need help building or maintaining a supply, or for any other reason that may have you feeling like formula is a good option. It really isnt, sadly, but is unfortunately such the "norm".

Best way to get baby to poop? Nurse, nurse, nurse! Your breastmilk is so easily digestible. The more baby gets, the more baby can use it to flush out the formula and begin pooping normally again. If you need any help, please let me know! Good Luck!

Please only breast feed!!!!!
No formula!!
Breast feeding is the best thing you can do for your child that will affect your child's health for the rest of his/her life!!

Hi J.!

Congratulations!!! It is totally normal for a breastfed baby to not poop for up to a week! But if you feel any concerns call your doctor!! That's what they are there for & trust me they totally understand first time parents!! My daughter was breastfed & would go days w/o pooping! Count your blessings now, because when they start on other food you'll be wishing for these days!

Good luck & congratulations again!

R.
(mom to Chandra 14 months)

Hi J., My pediatrician said it's very normal for newborns to sometimes have a phase where they skip a few days of pooping. She said it's just because their systems are so immature and not to be alarmed. If it goes too much longer, however, you should probably check with your pediatrician. Good luck!

Formula can be constipating, especially if he's mainly breastfed and had taken formula only the once. Try 2oz of prune juice and 2oz of water in a bottle and have him drink it. If he hasn't pooped in 24 hours after that you should probably give the doctor a call. Good luck!

with my second son i had this problem. i gave him a little pear juice and when he didn't go in days i would give him a little prune juice mixed with water (this was very messy producing). or you can just take his temp with a butt thermometer and that usually worked for me as well. make sure to run this by the doc at your next visit.

its probably fine, but you should defintiely talk to your doctor - place a call. he should be pooping a couple of times a day.....

congratulations on your newborn.
my baby nurse had me put 1 tbsp. of karo syrup in the bottle.
speak with your pediatrician. your son is still very young so you may need to try something else. eventually, a couple of ounces of prune juice diluted in water will help.