6 week old hasn’t pooed in 4 days

[Allotmentlife]

I know it’s considered normal for breastfed babies to go up to 10 days between poos, but DD is really struggling and straining to go. She’s her normal happy self most of the time, but will then really strain to poo without any success. She seems to be in a lot of pain at these times, I’ve never heard her cry like this before and it’s absolutely heartbreaking. She’s easily passing a lot of very smelly farts, so it can’t be gas.

Can anyone tell me if this level of straining is normal for breastfed babies? And does anyone have tips to help her go? I’ve tried all the usual bicycle legs, warm baths and tummy massage without any luck!

Anyone?

At that age they still haven’t quite figured out the muscles they need to use to go.

It really can be normal for some breastfed baby’s to go ages between poos because breast milk is such an efficient food for them.

I would leave it longer, especially at just 4 days it’s much better to wait than to start medicating something that’s normal even though it’s hard when something causes them discomfort.

@PinkPlantCase thanks for the advice! I just hate seeing her in pain!

That sounds normal! Try cycling the legs and check youtube for some digestion support exercises for babies

My breastfed babies both pooed every 7-8 days when they were newborn until about 4 months old, apparently its on the upper end of normal. They did get a bit uncomfortable so gave them lots of tummy massages and bicycle legs, they soon figured it out!

For a period of time up to around her 8w jabs mine would only poop in the bouncy chair (baby bjorn type) and even then every 2-4 days. I tried all the other methods too.

One of mine was every 3 days, the other every 5. Bothe very regular for months on that pattern until eating solids

I think a warm Bath helps relax tummy muscles. hence why people fart in the bath.