My 4mo BF baby is not pooing - how long is normal?

[FlowerBee]

My BF 4 month old boy is not pooing, and hasn't for 10 days now and i'm starting to get worried.

He's happy in himself, still peeing, still farting and has a soft tummy. He's not EBF as i started trying solids (baby rice and banana and sweet potato) 2 weeks ago. My health visitor at 5 days said to try apple and prune puree which i did. My midwife said try diluted prune juice, which i did. The gp at 7 days said try lactulose, which i have only just given him this morning at 10 days post-poo!!

I am trying tummy massage (clockwise) too but nothing! When should i take him back to the GP/worry. And so i really need to give a 4 month old repeated Lactulose?

A quick search on the archives here will reassure you, FlowerBee :)

There is no need to treat a healthy bf baby beyond newborn for lack of poo - and lactulose is sledgehammer-nut territory, it really is!

I think my DD's record was 12 days but that was pre-solids. It might be that your DS just isn't ready for solids yet, have you been advised by a paediatrician to start solids early? A warm-ish (not hot!) bath might help to get things moving as well.

Oh gosh - totally missed he was on rice, banana and sweet potato, sorry.

Is there any reason for the early solids?

Still very likely to be normal that he's not pooing, but one easy thing would be to drop the solids :)

I would cut out the banana, at least. (or cut well back on it). I think it's well known for ... erm... blocking up little digestive systems. My DD is 7.5 months and well into weaning now, but I limit her to 1/2 banana a day with apricot/orange to help even things out.

My DD's record was 12 days at that age but wasn't having solids. I'd drop the solids to be honest, it might be making things worse.

Have you tried your DS on the change mat without a nappy on? Sometimes a good kicking session can help.

Haven't given him solids since day 5 post-poo! Am regretting starting him on solids so early (3.5m), even if that's not the culprit (my lesson to be learnt- dont be guilt-tripped influenced by MIL! He is a big boy but i can probably produce enough milk for him.). The HV did mention banana does tend to block them up!

Good news - he has pooed - a little - hooray - at least it's something. Spoke to the HV today again and she said if nothing happens on the Lactulose by tomorrow i should ask my GP for some suppositories for him.

Hoping for a bigger "present" tomorrow!! Thanks for the advice everyone.

3.5 months His digestive system probably just wasn't ready for it.

Guidelines are to wait for 6 months, but certainly not before 17 weeks at the very earliest.

FlowerBee, good news on the poo.

Please on't let your MIL influence you too much, afterall research and access to information has probably progressed alot since she had her babies.

If you are thinking about the weaning please have a read of is my baby ready for solid foods?.

As for you producing enough milk. Why would you need to give solids just because he is a big baby? Surely he is a big baby precisely because your body has down such a good job so far. If you really think that you aren't producing enough milk, please have a read of this.

You can always print them off and get your doubters to read them

Also, do you mix with any other bfing Mums? Mixing with others is good for picking up tips, even if its just how to get your MIL to shush.