Can I eat/drink anything in order to help my constipated EBF 12 week old?

[imaluckylady]

My little girl is - I think - constipated. I know that it's in the normal range for EBF babies to only poo once a week, but I'm pretty sure she's feeling sore as a result. She has not pood for 4 days now and last week it was 5 days between poos. She is crying lots and can be very tricky to settle. She often is comfortable and calm only when I'm holding her over my shoulder - even the cradle hold is uncomfortable for her.
I'm wondering if there is anything I can eat or drink which may help her. Or is there anything I shouldn't be eating or drinking? I'm overseas in a place where the doctors shove medication at any and every problem (I had to refuse steroids for a cold in a 3 week old, for example ....) so I'd rather avoid a trip to the doctor if possible. Any advice gratefully received.

Bump

Why do you think she is constipated? I just ask because becoming tricky to settle and preferring particular positions is comon at her age.

Not aware of anything in your diet. But a nice bath always helped my lot. Still helps the 3 year old now! Get in with her if you don't mind being potentially pooed on. They often love lying on your chest in the water.

Unless her poo is hard and solid she is not constipated.

Three mths is often a tricky age, they get more awake and alert and fight sleep and are developing preferences ie being held upright!

She may also be getting a bit over stimulated etc.

If you want to help her digestion you could try some tummy massage, always clockwise and pedal her legs like she is riding a bicycle.

Yes to a bath together as well :)

What was her poo like last time she did go? Was it small hard pellets? If it wasn't, she's very unlikely to be constipated. Not going for over a week is not unusual in EBF babies.

Thank you for your reassuring responses everyone.
It was a frothy explosion when she last went. I know it isn't unusual for there to be days between poos, but there has been a change from her going once/twice a day and being much, much more contented. I instinctively feel her cries are because she is sore, but I obviously can't be sure of that and perhaps she's just fussing a bit more and is letting me know she wants cuddles and songs.
I didn't have this issue with my son, so it's new territory. He was - and remains - Mr Regular.
Would love to have a bath with her (how I long for a bath), but unfortunately we don't have one here. Just a shower.

Give some cooled boiled water, should get things moving if one is ready to come out!

Exclusively bfed babies don't need cooled boiled water.

Big poo explosion an hour ago and a much happier girl. Think I just have to get used to the fact that she may well go every few days and that the last day before a poo is uncomfortable for her. Nice to have lots of smiles again. Thanks everyone

Hi, glad she's happier now. You probably know this but just make sure she's getting plenty of hind milk and not just snacking for shorter bursts on fore milk (which i guess may happen with this warm weather), as this can cause changes in poo too. So check her suck changes to that longer steady one.

Daisy, it is fine for babies to have short feeds if this is what they appear to need and want. No one normally needs to engineer fore/hindmilk intake :)