4 week old - no poo for 3 days

[CruCru]

Hi all

My 4 week old DD (exclusively fed on breast milk) is going for 3+ days before pooing. Any advice? When it comes it's massive but she seems really uncomfortable.

Thanks!

One of my babies didn't poo for 5 days at around that age, I rang the doctor who wasn't too concerned, and advised me to try feeding a very small amount of pure smooth orange juice in a bottle, just 30ml or so maybe, otherwise to bring him in. He poohed anyway :)

Obviously I am not a doctor myself but just passing on what advice I was given by my doctor. I would suggest you give your doctor a call to ask their advice.

I think doctors can prescribe baby laxatives if it lasts too long :) My doctor said that at certain growth spurt times they are using so much of the milk there isn't really as much waste at some times as at others?

Please, please do not offer your baby orange juice, or anything else apart from the breast milk. If you want some info on why not, google virgin gut.

How is she? Is she growing as she should? Are you getting plenty of wet nappies? Is she bright and alert at times?

cru in a healthy baby this is on the normal spectrum. check with HV - she should reassure you :)

judith, I cannot believe a doctor ordered 30 mls of pure orange juice for a tiny baby - far too much and far too acidic :( Glad your baby didn't get it :)

i thought bf babies did poo less as they get what they need so there's little wastage IFYSWIM? if your concerned i'd speak to your HV and go from there.

I was advised to drink orange juice myself, as would 'go through' my milk. Cooled boiled water for baby was something else mentioned to me.

I also found that spinach and broccoli also causes her to have a good clear out!

tiktok I thought the same (acidic, amount) but reasoned it was maybe better than a chemical (laxative) ?

(BTW she didn't specifically actually say 30ml, she said just pour a small amount into the bottom of a bottle. If she meant 10 or 20 ml or wanted it to be a precise and tiny amount I assumed she would have said, use a measuring spoon and no more than 10/15/20ml, or whatever).

I was glad I didn't have to go ahead with either the orange juice or the laxative but... what to do if baby doesn't poo how long can they safely go without poohing?

In my experience this is not unusual for bf babies. Make sure your diet is ok and that you are drinking plenty. Also, what JJJ said - baby doesn't need orange juice!

I was glad I didn't have to go ahead with either the orange juice or the laxative but... what to do if baby doesn't poo how long can they safely go without poohing? as long as everything else is fine! I don't think they even worry till its over 2weeks. Our DDs record was 12 days. We had to take a couple of complete changes of clothes everywhere with us, she was like a ticking bomb...

I had the same problem with my DS when he was that age. I definitely recommend drinking plenty of fluids yourself, especially fresh orange juice . It worked great for us.

In a few weeks, it will be normal for your baby to go longer between poos as there's little waste in an ebf baby.

In a few weeks, it will be normal for your baby to go longer between poos as there's little waste in an ebf baby. or they can poo with every feed like our DS

The mum drinking orange juice (or water, or eating broccoli or anything else) makes no difference to the baby's gut. There is no mechanism by which this could work via the milk.

In a bf baby, the poo can build up without causing any problem (though some babies do seem to be a tad uncomfortable for a day or so before it comes) - then you get an explosion :)

If the baby is healthy and growing, it is not something that needs fixing. 12-14 days is within normal.

Thanks all, yes she has stacks of wet nappies and last time she was weighed (at 3 weeks) she'd put on 500g (was 4.4kg at birth). She seems in good shape apart from being uncomfortable.

Have any of you tried a cranial osteopath? Worth doing?

Update: DD is in her basket after having done a massive poo. Sorry, just wanted to tell someone and DH is asleep.

Hurrah!

:)

Tummy massaging is something I try when my ds is uncomfortable looking. He's pooed a few times after this and it's probably a coincidence but it certainly won't do any harm. Clockwise rubbing etc etc

My bf baby can go all day with no poo, until we put her in her bouncy chair and we get an explosion within minutes. Works every time - it has been renamed her poo chair!

Cool, thanks.