Breastfed baby hasn’t pooped in 5 days

[Moonshine160]

EBF 12 week old hasn’t pooped in 5 days where previously they had consistently had a bowel movement every day. 5 days ago they pooped for the first time in 3 days and it was a complete up the back explosion. We thought that was bad because it had been 3 days, but now it’s been 5! He also had his vaccines on Monday and the rotavirus vaccine seems to been giving him tummy ache and wind, I want him to get it out his system but the lack of dirty nappies is making that difficult. No changes in his feeding patterns or anything and still loads of wet nappies. I know it can be normal for breastfed babies to go a few days without a bowel movement but this is unusual for him. I’ve tried gently massaging his tummy and he seems to find it uncomfortable. Could the vaccine be at fault? Should I be concerned?

Mine once lasted 11 days. There's not much waste from breast milk!

A friend was advised to drink orange juice herself and apparently that helps move things for the baby if needed. This was a good few years ago though, so maybe check this!

Hi OP, do you know if you have a feeding team at your local maternity unit?

I’m sure it’s fine (BF babies don’t necessarily poo daily once you’re past the newborn stage) but if you continue to be worried it might be worth talking to your HV/Feeding team - they will check baby’s growth and how baby feeds to make sure there’s nothing else going on.

Like I say I’m sure there isn’t - my own BF baby went from 5/6 dirty nappies a day to probably 3/4 months old fairly quickly down to 1 a day or every few days, and he’s now 10mo and fine!

Also some good feeding accs to follow on Instagram if you don’t already - olivialactationconsultant and feedeatspeak - both are IBCLC qualified and work for the NHS as well as privately so trusted professionals in this area with lots of useful advice and info!

This is normal for a breast fed baby.

Normal. My BF DS only pooped once a week at that age.

Mine regularly went 10-12 days. He was miserable. Doctors not concerned. I gave him a little lactolose when I could see he was uncomfortable which helped move things along.

Perfectly normal 😊

It's normal. Mine went once a week to once a fortnight. I miss those days 😂 it all changed when he started on solid foods.

As others have said, normal for bf baby. I wouldn't leave the house without a very well stocked change bag tomorrow 😁

5 days for an ebf baby is fine. Mine did 12 and 14 days.

Yes all normal but beware as there maybe a poonami coming your way. Remember envelope neck onesies are designed to be rolled down the body to take off.

Thanks everyone. Gosh the poonami was bad enough after 3 days, I’m dreading this one. Day 6 and still no sign.

A breastfed baby can go up to 2 weeks without a poo.

I found with mine they'd have these long stretches when going through a growth spurt. They are using up all their milk to grow.

Then they'd have a mega poo.

@Twizbe That makes a lot of sense because at the weekend he started to feed loads more overnight and seemed hungry, and I thought it must be a growth spurt. Thank you

DD used to poo once a week, every Friday afternoon. I'm not joking!