My 7 week old hasnt pooped in 4 days!!

[MummaHG]

Hi, My 7 week old DS who is breastfed hasnt pooped in 4 days- is this normal or should i be worried?

He is feeding fine, just the same as before and only has slight pains after feeds which he has had since about 3 weeks old. He has bad wind though and it smells really eggy!!

Any advice would be great- thanks

:)

It's not uncommon for exclusively breastfed babies to only poo maybe once a week to ten days. Thats because the breastmilk is giving them exactly what they need and they absorb it all and theres nothng really to come away.

However if he's in pain after feeding or you are concerned about him, i'd perhaps get him checked out just to be on the safe side.

a week is common. what is important is that they are weeing lots as if not this could indicate dehydration.

My seven week DD is the same. When she does poop, it's usually loads and explodes out her nappy. I can't help but laugh at the grunting that goes along with it!

Thanks very much, thats put my mind at rest for a few more days yet. He is weeing lots, nappies are soaked just after an hour of changing him. He only seems unconfy after feeds for a very short while, this has always been the case- think its probably wind as he is a greedy guts & drinks too quickly most of the time. Im taking my 16 month old to the doctors :)

Ops not sure what happened....... i meant to say im taking my 16 month old to the docs tomorrow so will ask the nurse to see what she can advise or suggest

Thanks again :)

My ds2 is 7 weeks tomorrow and he went from pooing in nearly every nappy to going every 3-5 days with lots of wind on the days he doesn't go, which also smells eggy too! He isn't distressed when he poos or has a windy bum but he is at times when he's trying to burp.

Be careful asking the nurse - some HCPs are not used to dealing with breastfed babies and may wrongly diagnose problems.

It is totally normal for breastfed babies to stop pooing as often from around 6 weeks - it just means that until he does go he will fart more, and when he does go it will be HUGE.

My DD's record was 14 days. When I knew she was due a poo I'd tell her Dad it was his turn to do the nappy

Lynzjam hope she's not saving up any big ones if I get a cuddle on Friday!

She seems to save the poops for me and pukes for daddy :-) I'm sure she will have a smile for you!

MummaHG - be prepared for an explosion! Gives me a fright every time lol!

Mine were the same - would go for about a week with wet nappies only, then produce a spectacular (right up their backs, and sometimes even out of the neck of their babygros). Completely normal, sadly, but gratifying when it exploded over DH [hgrin].

I was concerned when my DS2 went a few days between poops and my HV told me that she knew of a baby who went 19 days! You will probably find that your DS produces at least 4 days worth at once, all up his back and soaking through his clothes and onto whoever is holding him! I used to get mine as clean as possible with wipes and then straight into a bath! And take plastic bags with you when you go out just in case! As long as when it comes it's soft it's fine. It's only a problem if its dry and hard. Good luck with that next dirty nappy change!

There was a thread on here the other day with a mum whose baby hadn't been for two weeks. One of the posters claimed the record at, I think, 27 days. :)

Most of the advice was along the lines of 'give your dc to someone else to hold'. My dd goes every 7-10 days and I would second this, in fact whenshe does go, I would try to be in a different house if possible.

Thought i'd let you all know that after day 5 my DS has now been for a poop.... well 4 time today actually. IM also pleased to say that it managed to stay in his nappy too. It was very soft, still mustard in colour & very eggy! His little face was a picture whatching him go ha ha ha! I will now be counting to see if he follows a pattern.

thanks again for your advice :)