Worried: BF baby hasn't poohed for 5 days!

[Olivetti]

Sorry about the TMI, but DD is 4.5 months, breastfed with a formula top-up at 11pm each night. She hasn't had a pooh since Monday, I'm worried. Does anyone think/know whether this is ok? Thanks

Quite normal for a breastfed baby, provided when they do go there is lots of it. My DS' record was 14 days, which he spectacularly ended all over my MIL and her living room carpet. He usually went about every 4-7 days.

Thanks so much for replying. Well, when she went on Monday I had to cut her vest off, use half a big pack of wipes, and put her straight in the bath , so no problems with volume! I'll just wait patiently. Thanks again.

If her poos are normally a mustardy yellow to green and quite soft I would say she is just digesting more of the breastmilk as breastfed babies sometimes go a while without pooing especially if on a growth spurt. If her poos are more formed normally and yellow like a formula fed babies then it could be constipation. Does she seem in discomfort with tummy pain, straining to poo (grunting, going red in face etc...) or is she doing very smelly farts? That will give you a clue to whether she is constipated. If constipated she may need small amounts of cooled boiled water to help soften her stool.

Zhen - well, when she went on Monday it was normal...all yellow and runny, loads of it. She seems well in herself, but yes she is farting, and I think I have felt her straining to poo - I gave her a warm bath and a massage and I could feel her trying to push, I think. I've given her boiled water. I'm hoping she might go in the night now she's had water and is relaxed from the bath.

Personally I wouldn't bother with the water, if she is trying to poo you could try feeding her. DDs record was 12 days and she always wanted to feed when she was pooing.

Same thing happened with my DD around the same age as yours. It can also be a sign that their gut is maturing well!

It's ok folks, she poohed yesterday. 4 times? Panic over. Thanks so much for your replies.

Well at least it was yesterday and you didn't have to spend Mothers Day cleaning it up