BF Baby Pooping Every 3-4 Days?

I went through the same with my now 13 yr old and my 2 yr old and as odd as it may sound add about 2 tablespoons of "Dark Karo Syrup" to her juice and it will work wonders. If you don't see any improvement in a day or two try to add another 1/2 or full tablespoon to see how much it will take to get her regular. No having BM can cause other issues like bleeding when having a BM, complete back up and that can be a major issue and severe pain from being so constipated. I found out about using the Karo syrup after we moved to Georgia and took my son in because he was not having BM and was in severe pain and his Dr. told me to try the Karo and boy it Worked. I had to give it to him daily in order for him to have regular BM's.

My second son was the same way, 3-5 days (up to 7) between poops on pure breastmilk diet, and it's nothing to worry about. My first son had daily poops, and I ate pretty much the same with both. I started solids at 5 months with my irregular pooper, and I would recommend waiting till at least 6 months, because that really slowed things up even more. Now that he's 10 months and used to solids, he poops about every 2 days. Good luck!

Your story sounds identical to mine! All I can say is that it will pass. I tried everything and nothing worked. I think the fussiness improved about 3 or 4 months. Gas drops were my best friend, but still didn't help too much. The longest my daughter went without a bowel movement was 7 days. It was a tough time. She is now almost 3 and still only goes to the bathroom about every 4 days. Good luck and hang in there.

I had this same issue. I called the pediatrician like every couple days, as we were leaving on a plane within like a week of this happening. Apparently this is normal for a breastfed baby after 6 weeks of age, as the baby's body will determine what it needs and doesn't need. I was told to feed the baby and then give some water afterwards. It didn't seem to work very well and he still only poops like ever other day to every 3 days now, but the Dr. said as long as their tummy isn't hard and they aren't having hard stools, then they are ok.

I also read this on La Leche website. They stated that breastfed babies can go up to 10 days without a stool...mine went 5. Here is the article for your information:

http://www.llli.org/FAQ/bm.html

Good Luck...

Both my boys were like that. Huge poops after 3, 4 or 5 days. I don't think my ped wanted them to go more than 5 days - although that might have been because he was trying to keep me happy. They never went more than 5 days.

I would also think the pooping is nothing to do with her being needy. My second one at 6 weeks was only happy if he was getting one-on-one attention. Now he's 18 months and is the social one of the two.

My 9 month old has had that poop schedule from almost day one. She is still 100% BF (totally refuses any type of solids). She will go 3-4 days then do what we call an "explode-O-poop. This is when there is so much poop that it leaks out the top of her diaper and up her back. (Poop actually made it to her shoulder blades one time!) Days between poops really is nothing to be concerned about - as long as she has the required number of "pee diapers" (indicating that she's not dehydrated.)

Hope this helps.
K.

It's totally normal. My son went every five days. The blow-outs are a little disconcerting, I must admit. The lactation consultant at my breastfeeding support group said that the longest she's heard of a breastfed baby going between BM's is 21 days. This was a perfectly healthy infant daughter of one of the moms in the group.

Hi J.,

I agree that this is not the healthiest thing. I teach newborn massage, and would suggest that you begin massaging her tummy area in a clockwise fashion, nothing too hard, but firm enough that you get something going. This may help.

Blessings,

B. C., CR, SCCI, BCRS, LSH, EFT-CC
Essential Oil and Herb Specialist
Certified Newborn Massage Instructor
Certified Reflexologist
Board Certified Raindrop Specialist
Certified CARE Instructor
http://www.secretsofmothernature.com/naturalbev

what you're describing is not unheard of. my son would poop every 2-3 days. he once went almost 10 days with no poop and WOWIE!! we had an explosion on our hands when he finally went!! and i was carrying him in my sling as well!!

what does your ped say?

also, sounds like she may be colicky.