Baby Hasnt Had a Bowel Movement in a Week

My pediatrician's office told me to put a teaspoon of dark Karo Syrup to every 4 ounce bottle of either breast milk or formula. Keep doing this until the baby has a BM. Believe me this really does work. Hope this helps.

My daughter now 4 has had trouble with bowel movements since she was born as an infant I gave a little juice and water daily, when she got older we avoided bananas and cheese b/c they can cause constipation. Pear juice is very good for this issue. On occasion she would need a laxative. She has grown out of this for the most part, but I had to regulate her with a presciption laxative for about a year. Hope this helps.

As long as baby is happy, DON'T WORRY! My first daughter routinely went 8 days between bowel movements and we NEVER used a suppository. When she finally did poop, each time was a massive, messy blowout that was horrendous to clean up :) but it never bothered her one bit! The frequency (and firmness) of her BMs did not increase until she started on formula at about 6 months. Hope this helps!

What an AWESOME day for your son to be born. (it's my birthday!!!) Here's what my pediatrician told me when my now 7 month old daughter (the 2 months) didn't go for ONE DAY (so six days makes you a saint) She said it wasn't okay, that babies should have a bm at least once a day. My mother in law was here (she's hispanic) and she took a digital thermometer and covered it with a thermometer covver (those plastic ones) and dipped it in warm (not HOT, warm) mineral oil and inserted it into her rectum about 1 inch and held her little bottom cheeks closed for a couple of minutes, then put a diaper on and in just a little bit, THERE SHE BLOW'S!!! I have also heard that as long as they pass gas there shouldn't be an obstruction, but not to freak you out or anything but I kept thinking of that little blonde girl from the poltergiest movies who died of a bowel obstruction (at age 12 or something like that), so I pretty much freak out about anything. I even have created a "poopy song" for when she goes now because I'm just so happy about it! I would maybe try the thermometer thing and if nothing I would DEFINATELY take the little guy in for something and not leave until they give you an answer!!! Good Luck!!! Keep us posted!!!

Hi A.,
I breastfed my daughter exclusively for almost the first year until we introduced her to baby food and I was shocked to find out that breastfed babies do not need to have a BM as often as formula fed babies. My other three children had been formula fed so I was shocked the first time she had went days without having a BM. I wouldn't do a supository unless your little one is in pain. As long as he is happy I would just wait things out.

S.

Hi! I am 26 years old and the proud mother of a 5 month old little girl. When she was about your son's age, she didn't poop regular either and still doesn't. Sometimes she'll go twice in one day and other times not at all for about 2-3 days. I do remember times when she was about that age that it would be about a week before she'd have a BM and her pediatrician said that was normal and sometimes they will only go once in about 5-8 days. Every baby is different. I hope this helps. Like I said, mine still isn't on a regular schedule for her BM's. Good luck!

Just try a little bit of water and some clear corn syrup or Kayro syrup. My son wouldn't have a b.m on his own for the first 3 months of his life so every other day I was doing the kayro and water and it works wonders, it will make them have a b.m without any of the harsh things the doctors want to do. Just try a little and wait about 2-3 hours and if he hasn't had a b.m then try a little more. Hope this helps.

Probably not a big deal, but he has to be getting a little uncomfotable. He is probably handling it well and the gas is giving him some relief.

If your concerned about it just make him have a bowel movement. Take a pediatric glycerin suppository (any drug store), insert it about half way in and gently move it in and out of the rectum. Repeat this a couple of times to stimulate his bowels.

Sounds gross I know!!! My pediatrician told me to do this w/ my babies and it worked every time. It will also relieve some gas. He will be so happy you did this for him. If it had been a while since my baby had gone I would do this and he would poop every time!

It works like magic and it's just glycerin..no meds and no dependancies. GREAT!!!

Oooohhhh......the things we do for our babies!!

Like the ladies who answered before me, I say it sounds pretty normal. My pediatrician said the problem isn't frequency, but consistency. Since yout child isn't uncomfortable you should just wait it out.

You could try a little fennel tea in a bottle or spoon (fennel is a seed from the spice aisle or natural foods store). Fennel soothes tummies of all ages.

Do you know how much baby seems to be getting. Is baby nursing alot! A week is a long time.. but I would guess it could happen...

I would try some Pear Juice.. Warm it up... dilute it like 1 part Pear juice 2 parts infant water ok!! Pear juice is the best to use... Apple will Bind up baby and Prunes Oh hun Stay away!!!

My son was a bit older when he was having probs.. My dr at that time told me to use Apple juice.. We did cuz he was the dr.. Oh BOY I am glad we dont have him anymore!!! Brandon was major cloged up.... the dr told us to use supositorys and even to use enemas... WE had him in office eveery other day for over a week.. Finally I told the dr ADMIT HIM!!!!!! In the hospitla they pusshed more enemas and apple juice the Jerks!!! and well It was emotionly a mess for us all... IF that Dr had knowned what to do.. WE NO LONGER have him!!!!

IF you do use a supository For that YOUNG of a baby I would almost think you would only need half But not sure.. ALSO.. After you put it up make sure use pinkie and it goes up a bit.. Put baby in a warm tub.... Give a nice bath the water from the bath will help!! Infact.. Give as many baths as you can The water will go into the skin and help if baby is getting dehydrated...

But Most of all.. Just make sure baby is nursing and getting enough!!! are you getting at least 3 to 4 wet diapers a day!!! IF NOT CALL DR RIGHT AWAY!!!! Cuz dehydration is bad can it can get realllly bad!!!!

Good luck!!!! Sending hugs!!!

Hi A.,
Being that he is so young yet, I'd ask the doctor. But sometimes apple juice does the trick, dilute it half and half, but please, ask doctor first

My little girl did this about this age. She went a whole week too without a BM and she was a breastfed baby. My doctor said as long as her tummy wasn't tight and extended she was fine, but to help her along give her a tsp of dark brown karo syrup in 4oz water bottle. I did, and I had to take a picture of the baby blow out. It was from her chest to her knees.

hi my son had the same problem when he was a baby everyone said its not normal try this you know i had everyone giving me remedies to try well after a week and a half i took him to dr cause they said give him a while well he finally went but he did it alot so now everything is normal he is now 3yrs old what im trying to say is that w/my son we just waited as long as he passed gas we didnt worry soo gl

This same thing happened with both my daughters, who were exclusively breastfed too, when they were both about 8 weeks old. They were both going all the time and then nothing, after a few days I panicked called the doctor and both times got told it was a normal change in their bowel pattren, that happens around this age, and as long as they were happy and not acting any different to just wait "it" will come. I didnt breastfeed my sons(I was younger and much dumber back then) and at one time or another they both got constipated and when that happened they both were fussy and pushed and strained a lot, luckily they both ended up going before I had to use a supository. I will tell you that not to long ago an older(who shall remain anonymous for embrassment reasons) memeber of my family was constipated and it was the weekend and late but my mom had some infant supositories which I got and he used one and it was so uncomfortable and painful he had to get it out, he said it burned. So if your little guy is happy and you dont see any signs of constipation I would hold off on the supository just yet. I know it can be alarming when they go so much and then just stop. I worked in a nursing home before I had my daughter and there are two times in your life you will never be more obsessive about bowel movements and thats when you have a baby and when you are elderly(lol). Good Luck, hope everything works out for you and your son.

Hi. My sister breastfed her baby girl. She had normal BMs for a while but then started going for a week or so without having one. She brought her to the doctor because, while at first she seemed okay she did get extremely uncomfortable and always stretched her legs and pinched her butt cheecks together. She became extremely constipated and was ALWAYS crabby. My sister kept taking my niece to the doctor and they kept saying it was okay as long as she went once a week. Finally she went to another doctor and he said it was not normal, they took x-rays and found she was VERY impacted! They had to give her suppositories daily for 6 months and she also had to take meds by mouth. If you think you need to, ask the dr would get an x-ray taken to make sure he's not impacted. At least that way you would know and it would save your little one MAJOR discomfort and pain.

A.-
I am an accredited La Leche League Leader with the Overland Park South Group and I can tell you that it is absolutely normal. Some babies can go up to 14 days without a BM. As long as the baby's tummy does not feel hard or not causing him/her any pain, just wait another few days and the BM is likely to come.

Some mothers have also found changing their diets a bit can help speed things along. Don't worry though, your baby is fine as long as she/he's happy and content otherwise! Keep us posted!

C. Tai
Independent Consultant
Arbonne International
www.real.myarbonne.com

Hello, I am a stay at home mom of 3. Two girls ages 2 and almost 4, and a 9 month old son. I am breastfeeding my son, and I have a lactation consultant. She told me that for breastfed babies it is not uncommon for there bowel movements to be like that. Most breastfed babies after reaching 2 months will only go once a week, or sometimes longer, but when he does go, that it will more than likely be a BIG one. My son never had a period of more than 3 days or so, but not all breastfed babies go long periods without a BM. I say as long as he is sill happy and passing gas without ne problems, then i wouldn't worry ab it. Hope this is of some help to you.
M.

A.,
If you child has not pooped in a whole week, then it is a big deal and I would do the suppository, you can get them at walmart, they have them for babies, it is not hard to do them either. And if you do it I would say for one or two days and he still doesnt poop I would defiently take them to the doctor to make sure that he is not backed up and it is not causing problems. I have had to give my child suppositories almost from day one. But I would not just let it go for too long.
Let us know how it works out for you.
Good Luck

A.,
I have a four month old and when he was around 2 months ( I was still Breastfeeding) and he had a period where he wasn't pooping for 5-6 days at a time. He would get really upset and you could tell he was trying to push something out. His face would get red and he would grunt, but nothing would come out. I will give you the advice my Pediatrician gave me and it worked! Take a Q-tip and put vaseline or lube on the tip. put it in the rectum (barely) for a few-30 seconds and see if it will get the reflex going. Usually this would get him started at least. You can also put 1 tsp of white Karo syrup in his bottle if you pump. 1tsp per 2-4 oz. this helps tremendously.
God Bless.

Hey A.-
My little girl is 8 months old and is breastfed. She used to sometimes go a few days to almost a week without having a bowel movement. I was told that this is normal,and she had no problems with it. I think that you are looking for all the right things that signal a problem though. If she still has a good appetite, is not throwing up or has a tight abdomen, and is not showing signs of discomfort, I'd say she's fine. She would definately let you know if she was uncomfortable. Trust your instincts. They always say that a mom knows her baby the best!

A.---
All of my kids (I have 5) have gone through that--and I breastfed them all. Just prepare yourself for the blow-out that will eventually come! (Although,sounds like you already are ready for it!)
NEVER would I use a suppository on a 2 1/2 month old.
Sounds like you are very aware of your child's comfort level. If he was getting compacted in anyway--he would let you know!
:)And his tummy would be hard/distended.

My lactation consultant informed us to be prepared for those of us that were serious breastfeeders (not supplementing with formula at all was her definition of serious BF) that we could expect anywhere from 6 bm's a day to 1 a week. I never had it happen for me, but it is common from what I understand. If your little guy is fine, don't worry about it. If after a week he doesn't go, try a glycerine suppository. Good luck!

B. :)

my daughter went through the same thing and i told her to put a teaspoon of karo syrup in his juice bottle at least 1 time a day and it is not good for them to go that long without a bm i hope it works good luck..........

Hi! I am the mother of 4 wonderful children. My youngest went through this same thing. My pediatrician stated that he was fine as long as his stomach wasn't hard and showing signs of impaction. I diluted gerber baby apple juice and gave it to him in between feedings and he was just fine, just as the doctor said he would be. I was told that when a baby is 100% breastfed then the baby's body obsorbs more of the fluid causing less need of a bowel movement. Hope this helps some.

I know how frustrated you must be. My two sons had the same problem. My pediatrian did a massage of my sons stomach and would take the very tip of her little finger and put some petroleum jelly just barley inside of his butt. Also you can try a chiropractor who uses the activator method to increase the stimulation of his colon. All of these are natural methods. I also tried at home giving them some water with a small amount of corn syrup in a bottle. This usually did the trick. I am against giving my kids any unneeded medication, unless it is really needed.

C. Willeby

Hi my name is C. and I am a stay at home Mom of three.Ranging from 9 years to one and a half.I hear your concern, youngest and oldest have had alot of trouble with thier bowels.Some things I have learned is to watch and see if they are trying to go.If he has gone that long but isn't fussy,straining,turning red,or passing hard bowel movements then it's fine.If he is doing those things that is when you need to help.You can sometimes help by loosening the diaper pushing his legs gently against his tummy,putting vaseline on a Q tip and stimulating him.If it persists as he gets older prune juice,apple juice,or KARO syrup will sometimes help to soften it up.I have breast fed two and bottle fed one and the doc is right sometimes breatfed babies only go once a week.Hopefully this has helped you and comforted you.

Sounds like you're getting lots of the right advice. I had the same issue with my daughter. Sounds like a growth spurt to me - they use up all of the breast milk that way, so no bm. ONE ounce or prune or pear (NOT apple) juice & give it a whole day to work before giving him any more. The glycerine supositorys are not as scarry as they sound if you have to go that way. Lay him on his back & push his knees to his tummy & get ready. The one time I had to do that it worked in less than 5 mins. If you have any other questions feel free to write me back! Let us know what you try & how it goes. Good Luck!

hi A. - just wanted to write to let you know that i had the same thing happen with my son. he went for about a week without a bowel movement and we were concerned so we called numerous doctors and nurses, including lactation specialists and were relieved to find that this was not uncommon. many people don't go through this with their children and insist that there must be something wrong with your baby. instead, it just means that your baby is metabolizing your milk so completely, there is nothing left over. remember that breast milk is mostly water so it doesn't take much to use it all with nothing solid left over. i know a little girl who went two and a half months without pooping and she was just fine. just make sure he continues being happy and doesn't seem uncomfortable. if you don't feel okay with the situation, there's nothing wrong with taking your son to the doctor, just to be safe. hope this helps!

J.
p.s. we did give our son a suppository but he seemed cranky and uncomfortable and was straining a little with no success. if your baby is behaving normally, i wouldn't give him one unless advised by a doctor.

My little girl had the same thing happen to her at around the same time. For a while she was about every other day and then one time it was 5 or 6 days between BMs. She also didnt seem like it bothered her that bad and eventually she just got it out. I didnt try to help her at all except sticking a wet cutip up her bum a little every night. One night it just worked I guess...

HI A., I HAVE A 2 WEEK OLD, & OUR PED TOLD US THAT A WEEK IS FINE, IF YOU ARE BREASTFEEDING. SO DONT PANIC, JUST CALL THE PED, MAYBE???

if it's giving you distress then maybe you and the baby need to relax. Have you noticed? Does he go after bathtime? maybe it's time to increase the frequency of his baths, lengthen the time in the warm water and do all you can to keep him from getting chilled by cranking up the heat.

I did baby massage for my younger two. Specifically on the tummy and back. put a onsie on the baby them lay him on your chest with his back to your chest. start just above his belly button and go to the left, down the left side across the lower belly and up the right side, in a gentle caressing motion, 25 slow times. then flip him over and do the same down his left side, across the lower belly and up the right. The massage stimulates his intestinal tract as well as relaxing him.

Here are other techniques for special and relaxing times for you baby.

Here's another thing to consider, by only holding your baby one way you could be crimping his intestines so be sure to rotate your holds while breast feeding and just normally holding him. Avoid positioners while he's sleeping. Swaddle and then lay him flat on his back every time.

This happened to my son at just about the same age. He was exclusively breastfed too. I called my doctor to get advice when he hadn't gone in about 5-6 days. What I was told (which backed up what I had read in several baby books) was that it is completely normal for a baby to go for a week-8 days without a bowel movement. My doctor's office explained to me that the growth spurts and changes that babies go through so often can have an effect on their normal routine. They told me to give it another five days and if he hadn't gone by then, to call back, unless he seemed to be in pain, in which case they told me to call back sooner. I was actually told to not give him a suppository. Sure enough, on the eighth day, he had a big BM. It was completely normal, too. Not hard...the same consistency it had always been. I'm sure you've tried everything, but I thought I'd throw out there letting him soak in warm baths. Also, my doctor's office suggested gently massaging his rectum with a thermometer. Neither of those things worked for us, but maybe they'd work for you. Good luck!

Breastmilk does not create a lot of waste. Unless he seems uncomfortable, don't mess with it. You can easily create a suppository dependency by overthinking this. And that is much worse!

When my daughter was little we breast fed for about 3 weeks. We stopped because she didn't nurse and had to be bottle fed to make sure we know what her intake levels were. She was ammitted to the hospital at 6 day for dehydration. When we switched her from breast milk to formula she wouldn't pop without screaming. As it turns out she has a mild anteriar anes (too close too much piping) We had to give her medicine per the gastroternitus. She was on Lac-tu-lose. It is an undigestable sugar the went to the colon and let the poop flow. This solved out problems. You might try mixing a little bit of apple juice with some breast milk. That was the first solution for her was 1 to 8 ration of apple jusice to formula or breast milk.

I wouldn't worry. I had 2 daughters which did the exact same thing. I was shocked that it was an entire week. However like your son, it didn't seem to bother them. Sure enough, it finally happened. Then it went back to normal. If it goes past I week, I would all your pediatrician's office just to discuss.

Good Luck!

my little one went through this same stage at 2 months. she is now 5 1/2 months. she is also exclusively breastfed. i think the first time she went 10 days and then had a couple of 6 and 8 day gaps between poops. and now is back once a day or sometimes once everyother day. i learned that as long as they don't seem uncomfortable and are still having wet diapers that this is perfectly normal. it has to do with the fact that breastmilk is better absorbed and they don't creat as much waste as with formula. also i've noticed that her poop has become thicker since that stage, but still not hard or anything. my ped told me to look for hard pebble poops, that this is the key signal of constipation. but she has never had that problem at all, which i think is the case with most breastfed babies.

I would try the pediatric suppository, that's what we did when our son was an infant and ran into constipation problems. If nothing happens..time to see the doctor again.

I have an almost 7 week old little girl that I am exclusively breastfeeding now, but I also breastfed my other two girls. I've heard that as long as the baby is exclusively breastfed, it's pretty much impossible for them to become constipated. I had the same trouble with my now 3 year old who didn't have a bowel movement for almost a week when she was about 2 months old as well, but me being the worried mom that I am, went ahead and gave her a glycerin suppository for peace of mind. It worked IMMEDIATELY and made us both feel better :) I say mom's know their babies best and I'd do whatever will help you have peace of mind.

hi when I was breastfeeding my doctor said the same thing..but he did say that it should be every two to three days..also use karo syrup...not alot maybe a teaspoon if that..totally safe...you find it with the syrup..you want the brown one...it's very thick and sweat..but it works...you could also try baby pears #1 and A little pear juice with water..it helps the little ones poop. you can also try prunes it wont hurt..good luck..
S.

When children are breastfed and growing they use everything in the milk!! There are no additives and fillers as formula would have. This is completley normal not to have a bm. Everytime my kids had a growth spurt, there would be a time when they would not have a bm for over a week and then return to normal. As long as he is happy, dont do a suppository!