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EBF baby constipated? :(

15 replies

mumtobealloveragain · 14/01/2014 10:34

I'm hoping someone has experience/knowledge of this. Sorry it's tmi about poo Smile

My baby is 10wks and EBF. Always has runny yellow poo which I'm told is perfectly normal for breastfed babies it's never solid. Normally poos twice a day. All good.

Yesterday and today she is really irritable. Her tummy seems quite hard (like it gets when they have wind before they burp). She seems in discomfort, and even when she's laughing and playing she does a little moan every now and them. She's bringing her legs up a lot, straightening herself out by flinging herself backwards etc. She's feeding fine and plenty of wet nappies. I don't think it's wind and the fact he hasn't pooed at all in 48 hrs now makes me believe she is constipated/needs a poo.

Can anyone recommend what I can do to help, I've tried raising her legs and rubbing her tummy/back but not helped. Would water help or is that pointless (Ive never given her water before).

How long should I leave it before I get worried?

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minipie · 14/01/2014 11:51

Unlikely to be constipation in the usual sense (ie hard/dry poo) as that's very rare, but she could have some trapped wind and be a bit backed up as it were. Though they do poo less often as they get older (until solids start...)

Proper tummy massage (quite firm, use oil and your thumb) in a clockwise circle can help. Warm bath and/or hot water bottle (well wrapped up obviously). Bicycling legs can help.

Last resort, if she really seems unhappy, you could try a teeny tiny bit of prune juice diluted with water. I'm not sure water on its own would help.

Prepare yourself for the mother of all poos when it does arrive!

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minipie · 14/01/2014 11:52

PS I think doctors won't worry until it's been at least 5 days, probably more like 7!

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LunaticFringe · 14/01/2014 11:56

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JiltedJohnsJulie · 14/01/2014 12:15

They just change as they get older, a bf baby can go 2 weeks, my DDs record was 12.

Unless she is screaming, don't worry just take spare clothes everywhere

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MigGril · 14/01/2014 12:22

Yes liquid poo is totally normal, afterall they are on a liquid diet.

Also going days even weeks between poo is normal for a totally breastfed baby. Their poo habits do change with age. They aren't constipated unless poo is hard dry and difficult to pass. which can happen with formula, but unlikely with breastmilk.
oh and second the space cloths they do tend to go a lot, if it's less frequent.

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hootloop · 14/01/2014 12:29

My doctor told me that ebf babies can go a long time without pooing because they are able to use the milk with very little waste and that as long as they wee it is nearly always ok.
DD always went five days or so so without poos until she started solids then started going once a day. I would see your doctor if I was you though though because it is a change, or ask the health visitor at least.

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JiltedJohnsJulie · 14/01/2014 12:32

I don't think there is any need to see your doctor or HV. They are unlikely to even know this is totally normal. Unless you dd is clearly in distress or the poo is hard.

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mumtobealloveragain · 14/01/2014 12:43

Thanks everyone! I feel a bit better now. Yes, maybe her poo habits are changing as she gets older. It's definitely not hard or solid poo it's always liquidesque (sorry!) Smile

She isn't in distress as such just a bit uncomfortable. She's sleeping well and playing just a bit irritable. Perhaps it's trapped wind and the poo (or lack or) is just coincidence.

I'll try some tummy massage in the bath later this evening as advised.

I am preparing for a pooxlosion (as we call them in this house) Grin

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minipie · 14/01/2014 13:47

It was called a Poonami in our house Grin

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Felix90 · 14/01/2014 13:49

The same happened with my DD as she hadn't been for 3 days. Was advised to feed her some cooled boiled water which certainly did the trick! Prepare for an explosive nappy Shock

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mumtobealloveragain · 14/01/2014 13:54

Ha ha poonami! :)

Felix can I ask who advised the cooled boiled water- GP? Also was your child bottle or breast fed?

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mumtobealloveragain · 14/01/2014 13:54

Sorry I meant formula or breast milk fed?

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JiltedJohnsJulie · 14/01/2014 14:18

Absolutely no need to give a baby of this age water. The only time you should is if its very hot and they are ff Smile

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Felix90 · 14/01/2014 18:53

It was my midwife who suggested the cooled boiled water. Not as a regular thing, just as she hadn't had a poo for 3 days and it helps get things moving. She's breast fed.

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mumtobealloveragain · 14/01/2014 19:02

Panic over. We have poo! Wink

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