3 1/2 Month Old Not Having Bowel Movements as Frequently

this is normal in a breastfed baby. Breastfed babies do not get constipated - ever never. Breast milk is almost completely digested by the baby- there is little waste. He is fine- he doesnt need a suppositiory. When breast fed babies are very young they may have several bowel movements a day (one after every feeding is normal too.) but now that he is older- whatever he does is normal.. Do not worry he is fine.

My daughter was exclusively breastfed for 10 months. she was never ever constipated.

We went through the same thing and I know it is stressful and the cause for a lot of worry. My daughter would only go every four or five days but as her digestive system mature it became every two days. It was hard to make the doctors understand how upsetting it was to hear my daughter scream at night because she couldn't go when the doctors didn't consider it constipation until after eight days. I resorted to suppositories every other day and now she gets a little flax seed oil mixed into a bottle once a day. It helps to lubricate her tract and has some healthy benefits because it contains omega 3 oils. Don't worry; most babies do grow out of this and it is very normal.

It's normal for babies to have lapses in bowel movements, I also was concerned when my (now 9month old) would go without having a bowel movement for a day or more because he would usually go once or twice every day! One time he went nearly 5 days, but everything came out fine (mushy as usual), and I also exclusively breastfed him until he was 6 months old. Now that he's on solids I can tell you what constipation is :) unless the bowel movement is hard it's normal for a breastfed baby's digestive system to go through changes and for them to go even a week without a bowel movement. If you're worried that it is causing him discomfort at some point, try a belly massage or pat his bottom as he lays on his belly, sometimes warmth on the low back when they are on their belly helps too.

COMPLETELY NORMAL!!!

It is common for breastfed babies to not stool as often as formula fed babies. for one reason....they can use 99% of breastmilk...it has no fillers, and very little undigestable ingredients, unlike formula that has added vitamins and minerals as well as cow or soy milk which many babies can't digest and can't absorb as well as breastmilk.

Make sure you are drinking a LOT of water, at least 80-100oz a day. That way you are well hydrated and are able to prodruce adequate foremilk (the watery part of milk)

Hi J.,

If your breastfeeding your baby, constipation is not possible, especially if your exclusively breastfeeding. Breastmilk was made for babies and their delicate tummies. I've breastfed all 3 of my children for 9 months and they would have different bowel movements that ranged from runny to thick more mucusy.. from going 5 times in a day to only a few times a week. I wouldn't worry about it at all.. your breastfeeding your baby and that is the best thing for him. Just keep on nursing him and I'm sure he'll start going more often, but like I said he may go back and forth. Nursing WILL NOT cause constipation though... so you don't have to worry about that. I've done all the research in the books on nursing.. A little more with each child. Never use a suppository though on a breastfed baby.. that could be dangerous. It could cause them to go when they don't need to and that could dehydrate them. If you keep nursing your baby you'll have nothing to worry about it so congrats to you for nursing and keep it up!!! :)

This is COMPLETELY normal. My daughter was the same way. Her doctor said his kids were also the same. It's just that since you are strictly breast feeding that his little body uses everything. This will change once you start with solids.

I'm noticing the same thing with my 2 month old that is strictly breastfed. I called the nurse at my pediatrician and she said it can be normal for breastfed babies to go up to 8 days without a bowel movement. She said as long as when they do go it's not hard or dry (which are signs of constipation) not to be worried if there are no other symptoms.

That is totally normal for a breastfed baby! We went through it with my first son and just like you, I was worried. My son went 11 days without a bm once. I was terrified! I went to a La Leche League meeting and found that many of the mothers had the same experience, it was something about the age, growth spurts and adjusting, or something like that. I was told that you don't need to worry UNLESS your baby is running a fever, straining, seems like he is in pain, or has a hard belly. The suppositories are totally unnecessary. Constipation is not the abscence of bowel movements, but refers to hard and dry bowel movements that are hard to pass.

Hi J.,
I agree with everyone else, it is normal. Personally I wouldn't use anything to help the situation (suppositories, karo syrup). If he is breastfed he is getting all that he needs. I think every baby goes through a phase like this. When he starts eating baby food prunes work wonders. Good luck.
Chris

Yes baby's bowel movements change so if your doc isn't alarmed you shouldn't be either. Honestly you shouldn't be giving him medication to make him poop unless the doctor okay's it. I think many of us Mom's made the same call you did to the doctor and got the same answer you did. :)

Hi J...........you need not worry! My daughter went through a similar situation where I too called her pediatrician for some words of advice to help her through it. He said that this is perfectly normal. At this age, babies are learning to do all this and their little bodies are setting their own routines. He told us to try Karo syrup mixed with nursery water to help flush things through if we felt it necessary...........this may not work for you becuase most breast fed babies don't take well to bottles, right?! It wouldn't hurt to call and ask about it if you feel you need to do something else for your son though. I wouldn't worry. Your baby should be able to get through this just fine. Don't ever hesitate to call his doctor again on the matter. Our pediatrician is there for us any time of the day or night with someone on call at all hours, so call and call again if you feel things aren't right! That's what they're there for! Just give him extra love and attention and I'm sure you guys will get through this just fine! Good luck...

J.,
I have a 5 1/2 month old and I have been told and read this is very common. As babies get older they need to use more of the milk they take in so they have less waste. My daughter had the same thing happen. As long as your son seems happy I wouldn't worry about it.

My son will be 11 months old soon & when he was about three or four months this happened to us. I like you had no clue as this is my first child. I called the doctor and they seemed to think all was well.By the way my son is a breast feed baby too. A book I read said this was normal. I am pretty sure as long as there is no fever or discomfort for you son it is okay. I do know that suppositories should be the last thing to try & you should discuss it w/ the Dr. first.

my two month old had trouble with bowel movements her dr told me to karo suryp in her bottle or give her prune juice that helped and i also started her on baby food that helped alot too. see if any of these help for you.

If the Dr's aren't concerned and the baby isn't exhibiting any discomfort then leave well enough alone. Don't use suppositories or use flushes to manipulate his bowels, as this could cause problems with regularity later. Also be very careful of Karo syrup as it is unpasturized and can cause baterial problems in their stomachs. If your Dr. agrees, you could try some prune juice watered down.
Good luck,
C.