Newborn Potty Question

As long as the BM isn't hard or coming out in little balls, it should be ok. You don't have to worry about frequency, as much as consistency. For awhile, both my kids didn't poop for almost a week at a time. It's normal for little babies. Don't worry!

When my little girl was newborn she'd only have a BM about every 5 days. Of course when she did it was huge! While this is more common with breastfed infants, you really don't need to be concerned as long as she goes at least every 5 days.

This is normal. Formula fed babies have fewer bowel movements than breast fed babies. As long as she's passing gas and is not in distress she is fine.

I remember my anxiety as a first time mother and my daughter was 7. The anxiety of a first time mother to a newborn must be really strong. Try to relax. Your baby is fine and you're doing alright. I speak from experience. Mine and a whole lot of others.

I read the other posts after posting mine.

Please do talk with the advice nurse before trying any suggestions.

It is my understanding that one should not give water to a baby this young because they need all of the nutrition available in the formula. Adding water to their diets dilutes the amount of nutrition that they are able to absorb because they can only consume and process a limited amount of fluid.

My granddaughter was born with an allergy to the protein in milk. I am lactose intolerant. The symptoms of lactose intolerance or allergy would be similar in a baby. You did not describe anything that would indicate either of these conditions. Although having gas is a symptom, passing it is not. Also a symptom is frequent bowel movements in a day not less as in every 2-3 days. Your baby would be very fussy and uncomfortable if she had either condition. The gas would build up in her stomach and intestines before it would pass thru her bottom.

If you continue to be concerned, yes, call her pediatrician. But do not make changes based on the layman's recommendation.

Call the Dr.'s tomorrow and ask. After that call around to book stores and find this book.
What to expect the first year.

http://www.whattoexpect.com/store/ProductDisplayDetail.aspx
This book is a must have.
It will reasure you of all of those silly little questions that make you worry.

God bless and take care.

Both my kids were formula fed and sometimes would have 2 bm's a day and sometimes go 2 to 3 days also. Their ped assured me it was normal as long as when they did have a bm that it wasn't hard. On a rare occasion I would give some prune juice but not at 3 wks. If you add any amount of water or prune juice do it under the supervision of your kids ped. When my son was having problems at around 2 months I was instructed to give 1 oz of water a day to help and it worked. I didn't start giving prune juice until they were closer to 4mo old and even then it was only 1-2 ounces a day/week (one time usually fixed them). If she isn't fussy then the formula you are on is probably ok. Don't worry once you start incorporating baby food, she'll go more. =)

Hi D.,
You have some good responses. I just thought I'd add in my 2 cents that I do believe this is normal. Some babies just don't have a bowel movement as often as others. I am sure that every other day is normal and I think that every 3 days is fine too, but as the others suggested, don't hesitate to bring it up to her doctor or a nurse at the clinic to see what they say. They'll be sure to know how many days is normal between bowel movements.
M.

This is one of those questions that I would ask the nurse line at your pediatrician's office. They will be happy to answer your questions over the phone, that's what they are there for. Most of the things I have read seem to agree with the idea that at this age they should be pooping several times a day, but I do know from my pediatrician that it is normal for them to suddenly change from that to once every few days. Mine did that at 5 weeks. He went from several times a day to every 4 days, and my doc said it was totally normal. 3 weeks is not that far from 5, so I would ask my doctor to be sure. And they can give you a good suggestion on which formula to switch to that might work better.

*edit* Do NOT give an infant water unless under doctor supervision. I just read a story about a baby dying of starvation because mom diluted her formula to stretch it. Yes this is extreme and went on for a while before the baby got sick, but in the article it said infants don't need water. This is one of those areas where this forum can mislead moms who don't know any better. This is not a substitute for a doctor's knowledge and advise, but it is a great place to get other mom's opinions. Just keep in mind that they are opinions.

My second child was that way. She pooped literally for the first year once every 10 days lol she did have gas a lot too. I switched her formula (after she stops BF at 8 months) to a the gentle kind after using the regulart and soy works well too. It helped her out a lot with the gentle kind. Try it.

Hi D.,

I would think that switching formulas would be your first attempt. Bowel movements are absolutely necessary to the entire health of your little one. She should be having at least a couple a day....Formulas do tend to constipate.

You can also add purified water to her regimen as well. Sometimes more fluids will help things along. My little one had a time at this as well even though she was breast fed so I gave her 4 ounces of prune juice a day (the pediatrician recommended it). It did wonders. Don't give her any corn syrup. Some moms use this but it has the same dangers as honey. Corn syrup shouldn't be given to anyone under the age of one...

Regards,

M.

My daughter use to have the same problem and we where told that infants that are formula feed have less bowel movements. I agree with the last post you should contact her doctors office and talk to the nurse. When my daughter turned one it got worst and found that she was lactose sensitive.

Good luck,

Anna

As long as it is not hard then you don't need to do anything. My baby did the same thing at 3 weeks.