Breastfed baby not poohed for 3 possibly 4 days

[YuleTideD0G]

I'm a bit worried, I know it's not uncommon for a bf baby not to pooh everyday but it's been three possibly four days since ds poohed. He's very irratable and fussy at the breast, he's quite sicky anyway but has been possibly more so, though I could be overthinking this. He has been farting lots and they're really stinky.

Should I worry? He does seem more irratable than normal, possibly tummy ache? Is there anything I should do to try and get him to pooh?

Thanks if anyone has read this far

[whomovedmychocolate]

How old?

I wouldn't worry. You will probably have a poo explosion at 4am which will make you wish you'd never hoped for him to do one

[YuleTideD0G]

He's 14 weeks (ish) might be 15 now.

Someone in rl said about sugar in water but I wasn't too keen on the idea. Will have. Quick google as well but am on phone atm.

[whomovedmychocolate]

Oh god no not sugar in water. For constipated FF babies you can give cool boiled water. You can eat soft fruits and this will help him poo.

[VeronicaCake]

Totally normal for them not to poo for long periods. DD went for a week at one point, we were living in fear by the end of it.

It is very unlikely to be constipation in a breastfed baby. If he appears to be straining and crying simultaneously and if his anus appears red or sore it is worth consulting a GP but otherwise he is probably fine.

Bicycling his little legs and gentle abdominal massage may help relieve the wind and make him more comfortable.

[lillylane]

DD is 13 weeks and about 4 weeks ago she just went from pooing every day to being a bit erratic really, sometimes every 2 days, sometimes 3, the longest was 6 days I think. I asked the Health visitor at the time and she said not to worry and they can go for up to 10 days without it being a problem. Brace yourself for when he does go though, its going to be everywhere! :o

[EauRudolph]

You could try a tummy massage, gentle clockwise circles with a bit of massage oil (I think sweet almond is OK for babies but I would double check). A warm bath can also help to get things moving.

I wouldn't do the sugar water though, 3 or 4 days isn't much to worry about if his tummy is not hard and he's not too fussy. DD's record was 11 days, I forget how old she was but it was before she started solid foods so less than 6 months. You can always get the GP to check his stomach if you want a bit of reassurance.

There are lots of good links about BF babies and poo here.

[shushpenfold]

Mine used to go for 6/7 days without problems and I was always advised that exclusively bf babies did this as there was so little 'waste' in the breastmilk. We then had a poo explosion though (I kid you not!) from dd1 after 6 days which unfortunately coincided with nappy change time - she was being changed on the bed and hit the opposite wall....approx 4 feet away...v impressive!

[YuleTideD0G]

I'll try the fruit thing, perhaps that's it. It's been a post Christmas diet of chocolate here (for me anyway [blush) although lots of fruity Christmas cake but, my diet hasn't been as healthy as it normally is. Is that likely to be why?

Which way should I massage tum? I read somewhere to massage it the wrong way simply pushes pooh the wrong way but, cannot remember which way.

[YuleTideD0G]

Lots of crossed posts.

I am not looking forward to that nappy when it happens, his pooh has been quite thick almost mucusy [ewww] lately I've really noticed a change.

His tummy isn't hard quite soft. Is the wind normal? None of my babys hav ever done smelly farts at this age, it really is rancid

[blueberrysantabait]

DOG - massage in a clockwise circle with a little oil and firm strokes.

DD1 went a tremendous 14 days without a poo once at about 16 weeks and we got pretty worried went to GP at day10 and GP said they wouldn't do anything until 14-15 days. The morning of the appointment I put her in a brand new white babygro and wore a white top, rubbed her tummy and walked her to the car, by the time we got to the car she had poo'd everywhere! GP said they will poo once there was enough of a build up of un-used up milk left to stimulate a poo, as BF babies can use all the milk and there is no waste.

[YuleTideD0G]

Thankyou everyone. am also at all the pooh stories. Nothing quite like explosive bf pooh is there.

[YuleTideD0G]

finally a spectacular pooh

it was really thick and mustard like

none of my other dc's ever went to such lengths attention seeking

[neolara]

Two of mine would regularly go a week to 10 days without pooing at that age. It didn't seem to be a problem at all. Other than in the cleaning up when it eventually came out.