no dirty nappies since saturday

[nattylou]

ds is 18 days old and bf well (thanks to loads of advice from here!)However, I have had no dirty nappies since saturday tea time. Loads of heavy wet ones though. Rang hv and she said that bf babies can go for 3 or 4 days without a bowel movement. But reading other threads, i am supposed to be getting 3-4 dirty nappies per day. Who is right?

They can go up to 2 weeks I think!

Don't worry dd2 went for nearly a week with out one - just be prepared for when they do arrive though! a week's worth of baby poo in one day was quite spectacular!

welshmum's ds went for two weeks at one point - was very pleased not to have been in the welshie household when the poo siege finally ended!

natty - the week (and more) long gaps are only normal in a baby aged more than 3-4 weeks. It is very unusual for a baby of 18 days to be poo-free like this. However, if everything else is fine (weight, behaviour, feeding frequency) then this is something to keep an eye on, nothing more.

I would be looking for a normal weight gain, plus continued frequent feeds and behaviour that showed me the baby was content.

he is feeding about every 2.5-3hours for about 15-20 mins. when he awake, he is alert and looking around. he is getting weighed again on thursday. btw, tiktok, as he is feeding for such a short time, but being content with it, should i change sides wirth each feed or carry on with the same side and effectively do 2 feeds each side?

You mean should you swap sides during the feed? Yes, if he gives you the 'nudge' to do so....coming off satsified after side one, but still looking for more after a short break. If he really appears full and zonked after side one, and is unable to respond to your 'offer' of side two, then one side is just fine :)

I would be looking for a normal weight gain on Thursday.

His feeding behaviour sounds normal - I am assuming he feeds about as often as this at night, too, yes?

My sister's baby could go for 2 weeks without a bowel movement (she was breastfeeding). It can happen!!!Her baby is nearly 1 year old and still get constipated... So it is just the way our bodies are!!! Or and yes when the bowel goes again after 2 weeks get ready for it !!!!

Bet he poos when naked in the scales :o

DS1 from about 3 weeks old went every Friday at around 5pm (just as DH got home from work ), massive explosions.

once my dd3 went for 10 days without a no.2!! The result amazing - huge amounts - she needed two baths!!

Prepare yourself......

My DS only went once a week from about 4 wks old. I was very worried as it was a sudden change but since he was well in himself, feeding well and weeing loads he was fine. He's only getting into a more frequent habit now that he's on 3 solid meals a day.

Quite convenient the once a week pooing although scary when it happens!

My BF 6 week old goes weekly, with her longest period being 2 weeks. HV freaks out but doctor examined her & all is well. Breastmilk is so complete they use everything with little wastage.
Horrid mustard custard poos when they happen though!

my dd is really stubborn when it comes to her no 2's!! she seems totally incapable of letting go of anything for weeks (she once went nearly 2 weeks without a poo!!) the doc was concerned as she was only 3 weeks old at this point!! she is now on long term glycerine suppositories (which i try not to give too often as i dont want her bowels to become lazy!!) which seem to help- if not a little too well!! she now doesnt go for up to a week which at this point i may do a suppository if she doesnt go- i am bf exclusively at the mo with the view to include a formula feed or two to give my poor old baps a rest at the end of the day!! i try not to worry too much about it as bm is exactly the right nutrients for her and so i imagine that there wouldnt be all that much waste product anyway. i also tried massageing her stomach 3 times a day which also seemed to help.
hth xx ei

Both my ds (bf) liked to hang onto their poo for 7 to 10 days so as long as plenty of wee wee regularly and baby not in pain it's ok! (Although I must add when poo day finally arrived ds mood always seemed lighter too!)