Breast fed baby straining to poo

[missdeelite]

Apolplogies for poo posting. My LO is 14 weeks and ebf. He has over recent weeks started to poo only once every 2-3 days. It seems as if he is often trying to poo for a while and in pain before hand, but when he does it is not solid, but thick and yellow like paint, and ENORMOUS!!! HE seems to have been straining since yesterday, and I think it is putting him off his feeds. His weight gain has been bit slow, he has dropped down from over 75th to just under 50th.

Any ideas/tips? I know its normal for bf babies to miss a day - should I offer him anything else? HEalth visitor said water and vitamin drops (?odn't know why thought breastmilk complete food?)

Sorry for poor typing got to rush and cook dinner!!!

Watching with interest, my 11wk DD has recently started to force and strain to poo but has never missed a day and her poo hasn't changed consistency.

My ds did this when he was the same age (now 2.5 yo). He went from several poos a day to one every 4 days or so, and seemed to have trouble going.

Mentioned it to the hv and she said it was very common in bf babies of this age. It soon passed and went back to normal.

However, if your dc is losing weight, then best to get it checked? (although I think some movement up or down a centile is normal too).

Giving water: hmm - I too thought there was no need for an ebf baby? Just feed them more?!

Totally agree that there is no need to offer anything else at all, sorry but your HV is wrong on that one. If you think your baby is dehydrated, there is a list of symptoms of dehydration here then the best thing you can offer is more bm.

As for the straining, is he in pain? Is he crying? If not, it could just be normal baby behaviour and bf babies can go 2 weeks without pooing and everything still be fine.

If you think he needs a little help, try one or all of these

some no nappy time,
a bath,
feeding him when he strains

As for the dropping centiles, not really sure on that one but hopefully someone will be along soon who knows.

Thought you might like to read this on growth charts too

Thanks for replies. Hooray has just done a huge out the side, front and back poo and having much more contented feed - not fussing and straining.

JJJ I'm not concerned that dehydrated, plenty wet nappies and he's generally very contented - except for when he's trying to poo gets whingey/cries and disturbed his sleep last night a lot!!! (And mine so like walking dead today!) He makes loud straining noises and whole abdomen contracts and his face goes bright red, but nothing comes! He's not seriously distressed but feel sorry for him. Will try your suggestions thanks :)

He has slowly moved down centiles, but doesn't seem hungry or discontent and he is gaining. He's definitly grown longer! Common sense tells me its no biggy and shouldn't worry, HVs not too worried, but typically it has been on my mind as I"m a bit of a worrier. I'm making more conscious effort to encourage to feed, as he's my 3rd and he's so sweet and chilled maybe I haven't been feeding him enough/sitting for long enough with him. ALways try and offer both sides, but he somewhat has to fit around school runs etc!

Glad you've got a result and glad you're not worried about dehydration, thought the comment of offering water from your HV might have made you concerned.

If you are worried about his centiles feeding more often and offering both sides sounds like the perfect answer .