Constipation in tandem breastfed baby. Help!!

[millymoomoo]

Please could someone advise me whether constipation is common in a twelve-week-old baby who is in heavy competition for mummy's milk with his two-year-old sister! Also, any ideas about what I can do to make him more comfortable?

Thanks for your reply, motherhurdicure. Yes, my baby is twelve weeks now and the constipation seems to be becoming more of an issue. I wondered if, as I am feeding them both nearly every feed, he is not getting sufficient fore-milk (I have one either side, then swap). Otherwise, I am loving tandem feeding my bubbies and would be devestated to think I am doing anything detrimental. How old are your children now?

When you say constipation do you mean his stools are hard, or infrequent or both?

Constipation is not only uncommon in an excl bf baby of any 'type', tandem or not, but actually unknown!!

It is not really possible for an otherwise healthy, growing and thriving bf baby to be constipated - my guess is he is doing this normal thing of not pooing for ages and ages and ages. Nothing wrong with that at all (though you will get an explosion any day now )

I'm starting to feel a tad neurotic(!) but I believed he was constipated as his stools are very 'formed' and he clearly becomes uncomfortable with a distended tummy days before he goes. He poohs infrequently - once a week sometimes - which I know is normal, it's the 'firmness' of his pooh that's concerned me. I apologise if anyone's having their tea!

Hi, motherhurdicure. My baby has plenty of wet nappies, no problems there whatsoever. Just considering that has, in fact, reassured me quite a bit - he is surely getting sufficient fluids(?) I think a bit of reassurance is all I'm after. I was worried about him yesterday when I posted the thread as he seemed so uncomfortable. He has actually just had the 'explosion' - it's a week since he's been, so there was quite a lot and, although pretty thick in consistency, not as formed as it has been. I wonder if I have been a little spoiled by him as he is the most joyous, happy, laid-back baby, the only time he has ever seemed remotely out of sorts being the few hours before he has a pooh!