6 wk old DS hasn't pooped in two days- Update

[angelpie545]

Ugh..and to make matters worse, he caught my cold and is all snuffly. Poor baby. I'm super worried. He'd been pooping just fine up until two days ago. He's got some pretty stinky gas but that's about it. As it is he is a lazy nurser and just kind of camps out, so I try stimulation and removing a bit of clothing to help wake him up and it helps a bit. He does this suck-suck-suck-swallow stop for 10-20 seconds, rinse and repeat. I'm going to have him evaluated for possible tongue-tie and we've also realized he has a mild case of thrush so I'm going to treat that immediately to avoid it becoming worse and causing even more issues. Sigh. Breastfeeding has never been this difficult for me.

[onlyboys]

He's just fine. All of mine went through a phase where they withheld their poop. Breastmilk is so easily digestible that it doesn't make much waste, and their little bodies just store it up. One of mine went two weeks without pooping. My doctor told me to dress him up in a cute outfit and take him out in public. Laughing, I took him grocery shopping where we had to abandon an entire buggy of groceries in favor of returning home for a bath. Ick!

That said, be sure that his weight to this point has been adequate and that he's wetting diapers.

[angelpie545]

Thanks. We have been keeping track of weight gain, so far he's up from 7lbs 13oz at birth to almost 11 pounds now. So far, so good. I'm just worried because since he's been sick he's not nursing as well and my breasts are very engorged and painful. His diapers are soaked, so that at least tells me he's most likely getting enough.

[melissel]

Originally Posted by onlyboys

He's just fine. All of mine went through a phase where they withheld their poop. Breastmilk is so easily digestible that it doesn't make much waste, and their little bodies just store it up. One of mine went two weeks without pooping. My doctor told me to dress him up in a cute outfit and take him out in public. Laughing, I took him grocery shopping where we had to abandon an entire buggy of groceries in favor of returning home for a bath. Ick!

That said, be sure that his weight to this point has been adequate and that he's wetting diapers.

: That's so true!

OP, I agree with onlyboys. My DD7's record was 11 days, and yes, it was quite the mess when it finally happened. I think your little guy's fine, but if you're very worried, what always works for us (even now!) is a nice warm bath. Sometimes DD4 actually has to get OUT of the bath to poop! But I wouldn't worry about him after only two days. I hope you're both feeling better soon

[GoBecGo]

My DD pooped about 2-3times a day until 4 weeks, then 1-2 times a day until 6 weeks and then one day...she stopped. From then on we had twice weekly explosions of poop. Her record was 8 days, and when it happened it was out of her nappy and out of her sleepsuit at the back of her neck! I think your guy is ok, but follow your own gut, maybe a warm bath and a gentle massage (clockwise rubbing on the belly, "peddle" the legs (like he's on a bike) and then gently push the thighs against the tummy, repeat for a few minutes and see how he goes) would help.

[karika]

perfectly normal. breastmilk is easily assimilated and the need to poop slows down around 6 wks. 10 days between poops is normal. As long as you are getting wet diapers (or many pees in the potty if you EC, the urine should be clear not yellow) then babe is getting enough. Your breasts will go through periods of feeling engorged and other times it will feel like you are empty and don't have enough. It is a cycle that is governed by the baby's needs. Your breasts respond perfectly to the baby. Here is a link about the pooping...

http://www.mother-2-mother.com/normal.htm#NormalStools

I got this from http://kellymom.com You can find a ton of breastfeeding info there.

[brittney_]

Definitely normal. My DS went 8 days once when he was about 8 weeks old. Haha, I have a picture of the aftermath...it is amazing how much can come out of such a tiny person

[sunfish21]

My DD (now 2) often went up to a week without pooping; DS is now 2 months old and the same thing is happening. EBF for both of them. I do think that it is normal but bring my kids to a chiropractor who was able to determine that some valve was stuck or closed on them when they were not pooping for so long...she is able to massage or work on it on their lower abdomin and we always have big poops after seeing her.

[earthmommy2]

Yep I'm with everyone else, 6wks is the marker for the great poop question. They can go up to 10 days without a poopie diaper, but be prepared mama, when the poopie diaper comes it can be quite a doozey!! Good for being aware mom!! <3

[boobs4milk]

dd3 went 11 days as well. when she did poo, it got everywhere! i was freaked but after that she rarely went more than a few days. good luck!

[angelpie545]

Okay, back from the Dr.'s office! Turns out ds did have a mild case of tongue-tie so we went ahead and had it clipped right then and there to avoid further issues. It was only one snip but he cried quite a bit, poor little guy. I felt so bad but it seems to have already helped his latch and ability to milk the breast. He looks a bit thrushy still so I'll probably take him to his regular pediatrician for some Nystatin. Oh, and he pooped!! Boy did he ever. He's had about 1 poopy diaper a day after going the two days without any poop. Big yellow poopies, the normal breastfed baby type.