DS 14 weeks only has a bowel movement every week. GP prescribed lactulose. What do you think?

[JudyBlume1019]

When he was born he had a bowel movement on day 1, and at least once a dfay for the first two or three weeks, then i9t slowed down a lot and he started to only have one on average once a week, sometimes up to 9 days, and occasionally 4 days apart. It hasn't worried me as I've asked HV and friends, and posted here, and the general consensus seems to be that if it goes in to double figures see GP.
I kind of forgot to count last time, becasue I though he'd started to do one every day, but it was only two or three days, but I thought it might have been as much as two weeks since his last one so I went to GP yesterday.

He is completely bf, feeds fantastically, and on demand (very regularly), his poos are pretty much the same as normal bf poo, but not as creamy and without the little grainy lumps. They're a deep yellow colour, and not at all solid or hard. He was born on 75th centile, and has been 96th/98th ever since. He is happy and smiley, but does seem to start to struggle with (extremely smelly ) farts for a day or so before a movement.

I had got used to it and stopped worrying, but GP called paed at hospital, and they described him as having a 'sluggish bowel', and suggested lactulose and a glycerine pessary. I feel like I've lost confidence in my judgemnt. Instinctively I don't want to give him lactulose, and he seems to be on my wavelength because he's spat out everything I've given him, but otoh if there is an underlying problem, then we need to find out.

I feel like I have no confidence. Where I could tell the difference between a tried or hungry cry, I suddenly doubt even that.

What do you think, or am I worrying about nothing?

Sorry, if anyone actually bothered to read through all that, then I really appreciate it.

To his credit, he asked me to go back in two weeks to tell him what I'd decided to do( I told him I really wasn't keen to give the laxatives) because he's still learning to deal with things like this, and he said he was interested in the outcome. I will go back, and tell him, and take a load of print-outs, perhaps even sections of this thread.

thanks bigstripeytiger

Another 'normal for bf babies' here. I don't think it's constipation of his poo is soft and he's happy. My mw told me that bmilk is just so well absorbed that there's not a lot left to turn into poo iyswim.

Cousins ds is ebf and went ten days without poo. Obviously all getting worried but he did it in the end. The HV recommended water, v diluted strawberry/orange/prune juice. His tummy didn't feel hard at all and he didn't seem to care about the situation. He only goes once a week now. He's around 4mo now. I really wouldn't worry. Also they never mentioned lactulose at all.

If you do print out this thread for the GP maybe edit out the bit about him being full of shit

What sort of loony HV suggests strawberry juice for an ebf baby under 4months because they haven't done a poo for a few days?

Anyway OP I agree with everyone who says his is well within normal parameters. Ditch the lactulose and let your GP know why - hopefully he'll be willing to learn.

I'm sorry but I can't remember how it changed when my DS went onto solids but he now poos every day pretty much. He's 2. His bowels are absolutely fine and dandy. But he poos loads less than one of my friend's kids who poos a couple of times a day. Whatever works for your child. Are they happy? Are they producing wet nappies? Do they look well? Are they eating well? Do they have energy?

If yes to all the above, you don't need to see any healthcare professionals at all. IMO

When they go onto solids their poo habits change -- more frequently, iirc. And it starts smelling like, erm, proper poo. Yuk. Yet another good reason not to wean till 6 months (or 7 for lazy slatterns like me who lose track of how old their baby actually is)

same here, when they were weaned it went to once a day.

ahhhh! Brilliant. Thanks all.

I am now racked with guilt for not following my instincts and for giving the lactulose. Thankfully I've only to give him 12.5 ml since yesterday afternoon, and he's spat it ALL out, and looked at me in a really appalled sort of way. He will be delighted that it's now in the bin. I also gave him a glycerine pessery, which didn't seem to bother him at all, but he didn't need it. Poor little fellow.

It's so annoying that GPs are so trigger happy. I remember when dd1 tested positive for a uti, and when we saw paeds at the local hospital, they booked her in for a several horrendous sounding very invasive tests, she was 7 months! I still had health insurance and managed to get an appointment with a leading paed nephrologist at St Ormonds who recommended leaving her compltely alone, following a clear x ray.

BF baby went every 5-7 days here, perfectly normal.

It's a bf thing. Be proud of the lovely efficent digestible food you're giving him.

And before you get too smug: my ds was a 'once a week' kind of chap for three months.... when he became a 'three times a day' kind of chap.

ikwym about not getting too smug about it kif, once I'd got over the initial worry of him not doing regular poos, I have started to be really really pleased about it. I joked to the GP that I thought that ds was just being very considerate, but I think he thought I was just being naive and stupid.

sorry didn't make that clear-they took him to a and e as he also has probs with reflux and that's where they recommended watered down juice hv said water.

Another breastfeeding baby that goes for up to 10 days here. Totally normal