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Worried about Poo!!

post #1 of 11
3/4/10 at 1:49pm
Thread Starter 
My 11 week old EBF has very infrequent stools (1 or 2 times weekly) and they are NOT seedy! Our dr is very concerned and is talking x-rays if things don't improve with me adding fiber to my diet. Baby is gaining really well and for the most part is happy. She spits up a lot and has lots of gas but does not cry or strain while having a bowel movement. Any input would be greatly appreciated, especially if you have experienced something similar! Thanks!
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post #2 of 11
3/4/10 at 2:05pm
This pattern is COMPLETELY NORMAL for breastfed babies!

What does the poop look like when it arrives? If it is liquid (not hard like rabbit pellets) and not bloody, it is what you would expect from a breastfed baby, and I would definitely get a second opinion before sujecting baby to Xrays!!!
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post #3 of 11
3/4/10 at 2:07pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by PatioGardener View Post
This pattern is COMPLETELY NORMAL for breastfed babies!

What does the poop look like when it arrives? If it is liquid (not hard like rabbit pellets) and not bloody, it is what you would expect from a breastfed baby, and I would definitely get a second opinion before sujecting baby to Xrays!!!
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post #4 of 11
3/4/10 at 2:19pm
Here's what kellymom.com says about it:

Quote:
Dirty diapers: Expect 3-4+ stools daily that are the size of a US quarter (2.5 cm) or larger. Some babies stool every time they nurse, or even more often--this is normal, too. The normal stool of a breastfed baby is yellow and loose (soft to runny) and may be seedy or curdy. After 4 - 6 weeks, some babies stool less frequently, with stools as infrequent as one every 7-10 days. As long as baby is gaining well, this is normal.
It sounds like your doc is unfamiliar with the poo of breastfed babies. He/she is wayyyy over-reacting. Have you considered switching?

ETA: my DD once went a whole week without pooping. I was freaking out, but since she seemed happy and content our ped wasn't worried. But boy, when she finally pooped, it was like a poo-explosion! I was told that breastmilk is so well-absorbed that it often leaves very little waste in the intestines, so it can take a while for the poo to build-up enough to cause a bowel movement.
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post #5 of 11
3/4/10 at 2:30pm
From Dr. Jack Newman via Kellymom.com

"The normal breastmilk stool is pasty to watery, mustard coloured, and usually has little odour. However, bowel movements may vary considerably from this description. They may be green or orange, may contain curds or mucus, or may resemble shaving cream in consistency (from air bubbles). The variations in colour do not mean something is wrong. A baby who is breastfeeding only, and is starting to have bowel movements that are becoming lighter by day 3 of life, is doing well."
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post #6 of 11
3/4/10 at 2:38pm
My DD only had a couple of "seedy" stools ever. By 6 weeks, she would only poop one day every week or so. But, she would poop alot that day. And, this was completely normal and healthy for her. Our ped even told us to expect this to happen. It never happened with DS, but he had a ton of digestive issues.


I'm curious - How would adding fiber to your diet have any impact on the nutrition of you breastmilk? Not being snarky at all, I've just never heard that and am really curious.
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post #7 of 11
3/4/10 at 5:18pm
Thread Starter 
Thanks everyone for your input, it was very reassuring and it was what I had thought I had been reading everywhere. I would hate to switch drs because I really like this one but I am dissapointed she doesn't know more about breastfeeding. I guess her train of thought was that more fiber in my diet would increase fiber in my milk and help "push" things through baby.
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post #8 of 11
3/4/10 at 5:23pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by snsb View Post
Thanks everyone for your input, it was very reassuring and it was what I had thought I had been reading everywhere. I would hate to switch drs because I really like this one but I am dissapointed she doesn't know more about breastfeeding. I guess her train of thought was that more fiber in my diet would increase fiber in my milk and help "push" things through baby.
That's not really how breastmilk works. RUUUUUN!
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post #9 of 11
3/4/10 at 5:29pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by snsb View Post
I would hate to switch drs because I really like this one but I am dissapointed she doesn't know more about breastfeeding. .
I have found over the years that not very many Drs. know that much about breastfeeding. If you love this doc then stick with him/her but check out any breastfeeding "advice" if you're not sure about it.

Breastfeeding isn't a health "problem" so docs don't always know tons about it. I know that sounds funny but ...
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post #10 of 11
3/4/10 at 7:17pm
I'm sorry but the whole fiber scenario made me
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post #11 of 11
3/4/10 at 9:02pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by goodygumdrops View Post
I'm sorry but the whole fiber scenario made me
Makes it really really obvious that the dr knows NOTHING about how humans produce milk.
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