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Infant feeding

Get advice and support with infant feeding from other users here.

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Original poster

EBF DS has not done a poo for a fortnight...

69 replies

Miffster · 18/04/2011 16:25

I keep telling myself this is fine, but is it?
EBF, 16lbs, 18 weeks old and we live in a hot country. Plenty of wet nappies ( at least 5-6 a day), is not dehydrated and has just been through a developmental spurt, as of today he is obsessed with rolling over and over and over.

No HVs here and it's not really a BF culture, so any help ould be appreciated...

Ta.

OP posts:

Original poster

Miffster · 18/04/2011 16:31

Oh yeah, and he is doing very smelly farts. I fear a poonami is imminent but this has been going on for a week...

More info. He feeds x 2 in bed at night, at midnight and 3am, and snacks on waking at 5am, and before/and/ or after his 2 daytime naps, which are about 2 hours each, and then has a huge guzzling session before 7.30pm bedtime.

I daren't go to the clinic about it, firstly it will cost at least a hundred quid and secondly I don't really ant a lecture about FF and puree. As he is EBF and am intending to do BLW. I think the doctors here are not very well briefed on BF, it's a FF culture here, very American as far as I can tell. Some people do BF but not much after 3 months...

Cheers

OP posts:

Original poster

Miffster · 19/04/2011 19:06

Nobody? :(

OP posts:

RitaMorgan · 19/04/2011 19:12

I would say a fortnight is at the upper end of normal - if you don't get anything in the next day or so I'd brave the clinic.

sancerrre · 19/04/2011 19:16

Taking him to the Dr. would be a sure way to get the poonami going at least. I had this problem when DS was a newborn and it all gushed out as soon as the Dr took his nappy off.

I'm living in a similar country to you and expected them to be all about FF but have been pleasantly surprised at how supportive of BF they are.

sancerrre · 19/04/2011 19:18

Maybe go to a UK trained paediatrician rather than a US one to ensure you get BF compatible advice?

Original poster

Miffster · 19/04/2011 19:20

Thanks v much for the replies. I guess I am confused because I don't think he is constipated, because his tuimmy doesn't feel hard and he doesn't wince when I prod it - like I used to do when he was on Gaviscon for reflux and that DID make him constipated - I think it is just that he is using all the milk and has little spare to pass as poo. But then I am not sure...don't they use lots of extra fuel when going through a developmental/growth spurt?

Can I ask where you are based Sancerre?

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OopsDoneItAgain · 19/04/2011 19:22

My BF baby regularly went two weeks-ish with no poo, and then...stand back! (lol at poonami!) I dont think its that uncommon in breast fed babies, and if they are otherwise fine then there is unlikely to be a problem. But no poo always made me fret too. Theres no stopping the child now mind!

Guitargirl · 19/04/2011 19:24

The most my DD went for without a poo when she was ebf was 12 days. I wasn't too worried as she also didn't seem constipated. I was advised to drink lots of orange juice as that might have the desired effect on the bm.

sancerrre · 19/04/2011 19:24

Miffster - just sent you a PM.

therethere · 19/04/2011 20:04

Hi. My EBF son went 16 days without a poo - decided to do it while we were having a nice picnic in the park with friends, it was all hands on deck! That was the longest he went without a poo, but it was often 8 days. He wasn't constipated, it is just what can happen with some breastfed babies. I would be a little conceconcert your baby was on solids or mixed fed as there is a possibility of constipation, but if they are just having breastmilk and your baby is otherwise well, I would try not to worry and just get yourself prepared for the arrival!

Let us know if he beats my sons record!

therethere · 19/04/2011 20:07

concerned if - that was meant to read!

girliefriend · 19/04/2011 20:13

My ebf baby went two weeks without pooing at one point, I wasn't too worried either but mentioned it to the hv who said I had to take her to the gp!!! The next morning she filled her nappy!!!

I think its just cause they are using every bit of the breast milk and so there is very little waste!!!

Original poster

Miffster · 20/04/2011 03:44

Hopefully it is because he has been using it all up rather than getting ready to unleash a tumeric coloured tidal wave of horror... he has STILL not pooed so this is Day 15. Aieee!

I will let you know.

I think I will stay close to home for the next couple of days. ( Not that I get out much as it is too hot)

OP posts:

Eachpeach80 · 20/04/2011 07:28

Try lying him on his back on the floor and "bicycling" his legs,with his nappy off if you have a suitable covering (!). Sometimes did the trick for me.

Original poster

Miffster · 20/04/2011 14:29

Day 16. Stiill no poo.
drums fingers
I wonder what the MN record for EBF healthy babies not pooing is?

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Chaotica · 20/04/2011 14:38

DS went 3 weeks - it was then recognised as constipation by the GP. He was pretty grumpy by then, to say the least. It was probably caused by me having ABs and him getting thrush as a result (but that is just a guess).

Intervention, in order, was:

fruit juice (GP said that should work) (fed from cup), sugar water is recommended as well.
lactulose (still no poo)
senna liquid (not recommended for babies, but by this point we were getting desperate as was DS - this took a couple of days to work).

So if you're worried, try fruit juice (it counts as medicine in an ebf child).

Beegey · 20/04/2011 15:50

I took my ds (17 weeks) to the gp's yesterday as he has not pooed for a week - and has gone about once a week for the last couple of weeks. She examined him, felt his tummy looked at his little bot and prescribed lactulose for us to use if we think he is uncomfortable.

She also said that because bf is so 'complete' there often isnt much waste product.

Wish he would go though!

pearlgirl · 20/04/2011 16:09

ds2 managed 18 days at one point - had to dispose of his vest when he did poo - had he been in discomfort or unwell i would have asked someone. I had asked earlier as he often went 5 or 6 days between poos and was told that was ok.

AlpinePony · 20/04/2011 17:32

Have you put vaseline on a thermometer and "taken his temperature" yet?

Btw, don't feel your negatory comments about local "culture" have any bearing on your son's constipation!

AlpinePony · 20/04/2011 17:33

The US is possibly more "nazi" about BF than the UK.

Original poster

Miffster · 20/04/2011 17:42

He seems fine, the main reason I am worrying about it is because of my fear that he will do a heeeeeeeeeeeowge poo when we are out of the house. Like in the back eat of the car in his car seat on the bypass at rush hour, or something.

I haven't made any negative remarks about 'local culture', just that it is not a BF culture, most women here seem to bottle feed and so I don't think the doctor here will necessarily know about BF babies being unlikely to be traditionally constipated etc etc. I don't want to have to go and pay to get a lecture on weaning, or get prescribed laxatives, or told to use a bottle or have my choice to BF him undermined so I am steering clear of the clinic, although I might give them a ring later to see if my suspicions are unfounded. If my baby seemed unhappy I would whip him in, but he doesn't. Apaprt from being frustrated at not being able to crawl when he has rolled over, but that is another thread.

He has been kicking his legs about quite happily, with a helium balloon attached to one ankle, which he loves.

I don't think he is bunged up, I think he's is just brewing an epic poo in his own time or has needed every scrap of milk for a growth/development spurt ( the rolling furiously is new and there have been other classic growth spurt indicators like extra night feeds and being a bit manic then staring into space all the Wonder Week stuff..)

OP posts:

AlpinePony · 20/04/2011 18:28

I'm sorry, but that's bordering on deranged. :( You're admitting that you're potentially witholding medical intervention for your baby just because you don't want to possibly discuss "feeding options" with a medic?

Shocking tbh.

I'm just not a "withold medical treatment for a baby" kind of a person so I just don't get your angle.

OopsDoneItAgain · 20/04/2011 19:02

Alpine you seem up for a fight for some reason...chill. Many of us who have had similar think that waiting, unless the baby is in discomfort, is absolutely fine. Why so aggressive?

RitaMorgan · 20/04/2011 19:30

Yes, sticking something in a baby's bottom is much more sensible.

girliefriend · 20/04/2011 19:34

yes alpine thats is a bit ott, however I do think you do need now you're on day 16 to see a gp just to rule out any other problems with his gut.

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