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5 month old EBF bowel habits

1 reply

LaDenf · 30/08/2012 11:40

My LO is 5 months old, almost 6 months and is EBF. Bowel movements tended to be once a day. On Sunday he appeared to have diarrhoea - it was slightly more loose than normal and he had 3 movements in the space of 2 hours. There were a further 4 movements that day.

Since then LO has been been having at least 6 bowel movements a day, some very large, others quite small. They look more normal, certainly less watery, but the frequency is concerning me, especially as it started so suddenly.

He is not showing any other signs of ill health, temperature is normal. GP said to bring him back if it is still happening for a week so may have to go back there on Monday.

I think he is possibly teething, chewing on anything he can get his hands on, or his own hands. Plus he has started to wake up a lot more often at night to nurse, usually he was every 3 / 4 hours but now it is more like every 2 hours. The only other odd thing is that, when we try to put him to bed (currently rocking/singing to him) he kicks his legs about and briefly arches his back, and only occasionally grunts when he does this, most of the time he is silent. Not sure if that is related. When sat up or but into his crib he doesnt do this.

Anyone have any experience of this?

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
MigGril · 31/08/2012 07:35

Sounds like he may have had a bit of a tummy bug. Did his poos go green and smelly at first?

If that is what caused the initial upset then they can develop a temporary lactose intolerance. Lucky as you are breastfeeding you don't need to do anything other then keep feeding him and it should get better on its own.

I think the more frequent night feeds are that he needs more fluids at the moment, hopefully that will go back to normal once his system has sorted its self out.

According to my LLL book it could take 2-4 Weeks to clear if that was the cause.

Although you should see a gradual improvement. If he seems otherwise healthy and happy and just see how it goes.

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