Can I eat/drink anything in order to help my constipated EBF 12 week old?

[imaluckylady]

My little girl is - I think - constipated. I know that it's in the normal range for EBF babies to only poo once a week, but I'm pretty sure she's feeling sore as a result. She has not pood for 4 days now and last week it was 5 days between poos. She is crying lots and can be very tricky to settle. She often is comfortable and calm only when I'm holding her over my shoulder - even the cradle hold is uncomfortable for her.
I'm wondering if there is anything I can eat or drink which may help her. Or is there anything I shouldn't be eating or drinking? I'm overseas in a place where the doctors shove medication at any and every problem (I had to refuse steroids for a cold in a 3 week old, for example ....) so I'd rather avoid a trip to the doctor if possible. Any advice gratefully received.

[MaryBennett]

Bump

[PenguinsHatchedAnEgg]

Why do you think she is constipated? I just ask because becoming tricky to settle and preferring particular positions is comon at her age.

Not aware of anything in your diet. But a nice bath always helped my lot. Still helps the 3 year old now! Get in with her if you don't mind being potentially pooed on. They often love lying on your chest in the water.

[5madthings]

Unless her poo is hard and solid she is not constipated.

Three mths is often a tricky age, they get more awake and alert and fight sleep and are developing preferences ie being held upright!

She may also be getting a bit over stimulated etc.

If you want to help her digestion you could try some tummy massage, always clockwise and pedal her legs like she is riding a bicycle.

Yes to a bath together as well :)

[JimbosJetSet]

What was her poo like last time she did go? Was it small hard pellets? If it wasn't, she's very unlikely to be constipated. Not going for over a week is not unusual in EBF babies.

[imaluckylady]

Thank you for your reassuring responses everyone.
It was a frothy explosion when she last went. I know it isn't unusual for there to be days between poos, but there has been a change from her going once/twice a day and being much, much more contented. I instinctively feel her cries are because she is sore, but I obviously can't be sure of that and perhaps she's just fussing a bit more and is letting me know she wants cuddles and songs.
I didn't have this issue with my son, so it's new territory. He was - and remains - Mr Regular.
Would love to have a bath with her (how I long for a bath), but unfortunately we don't have one here. Just a shower.

[feeona123]

Give some cooled boiled water, should get things moving if one is ready to come out!

[5madthings]

Exclusively bfed babies don't need cooled boiled water.

[imaluckylady]

Big poo explosion an hour ago and a much happier girl. Think I just have to get used to the fact that she may well go every few days and that the last day before a poo is uncomfortable for her. Nice to have lots of smiles again. Thanks everyone

[daisydalrymple]

Hi, glad she's happier now. You probably know this but just make sure she's getting plenty of hind milk and not just snacking for shorter bursts on fore milk (which i guess may happen with this warm weather), as this can cause changes in poo too. So check her suck changes to that longer steady one.

[tiktok]

Daisy, it is fine for babies to have short feeds if this is what they appear to need and want. No one normally needs to engineer fore/hindmilk intake :)