4 months old - no poop in nearly two weeks

[arialanne]

My daughter just made 4 months old and we tried to give her a small amount of mushed bananas mixed with breast milk. She took it okay but she has not pooped since and it has been nearly 2 weeks. I got desperate so I gave her an ounce of diluted prune juice-twice yesterday and twice today. Nothing. She just has these awful man-farts, but otherwise seems to be happy. I can't bring her to the doctor because my PCP is 200 miles away (we just moved) and I'm not sure I would anyway, considering most doctors just want to prescribe medication and stick things up their butt. Does anyone have any experience with this or have any advice? I'm totally freaking out!

[babygirlie]

Prune didn't work with us either. We gave her a lot of pear juice when we had issues. Bananas can be constipating and so can cow milk if you are drinking it. Massage her tummy, massage her anus with oil. Anal fissures are nothing to mess with. They are excrusiatingly painful and hard to get rid of. If you can't get her to poo in a day or so I would get her to urgent care.

[whoanellie]

I took my DD into a walk in clinic when she was that age because she hadn't gone in 8 days (we were visiting family and away from PCP). They said some babes could go up to two weeks without a bowel mvmt. but made it sound like they would treat after that. They had recommended fruit juice but said not to over-do it. I think the juice might have a slower effect which is why it's a more gentle approach. Have you tried gentle tummy massage?
I think if I were in your shoes I would take her in somewhere (walk-in clinic?) in the next day or so, but that's me. It sounds like she might need more time before solids tho? Just a thought.

Anyway- this isn't medical advice- just my experience with a similar situation- I'm sure some mamas on here will have experience/advice with this. Good luck- hope your DD's feeling better soon.

[arialanne]

Thanks guys. I've tried giving her a massage and giving her a warm bath. I'll try a doctor if I can find one.

[PatioGardener]

the latest recommendations are to wait until at least 6 months before introducing any solids - their guts just are not ready for anything except mama's milk until then, and solid foods can increase their risk of illness and infection. if i were you i would go back to just breastfeeding for now.

exclusively breastfed babies can go for 2 weeeks with no poop! they do not need to poop daily at all. as long as the poop is soft when it comes they are not constipated. this is completely normal for some babies! breastmilk is so easily digested.

this may be your baby's case.

are her pees enough? 6 heavy wets in 24 hours?

keep nursing, mama. lots of breastmilk will keep your baby's poop soft and liquidy.

[ShanaV]

Seconding the suggestion to EBF. The AAP, WHO and other sources recommend ebf for the first 6 months (not the old 4-6 months advice). Plus it's true, bananas can constipate. But by the same token, ebf babies go days or weeks without poop bc bm digests so efficiently, and they are not constipated. Then, of course, when they do have a poo, it's HUGE, so keep a change of clothes handy in your diaper bag, bc it's bound to happen when you're out in public. (Always does for us - my guys have excellent timing!) So in sum, I'd just bf him for a few more days and see if that gets things moving through. Oh, can you call your dr or a nurse hotline for advice? That'd probably address your concerns easier than going to an urgent care ctr (where she might get exposed to germs anyway!) This will also avoid unnecessary butt-poking. :-P

[ShanaV]

Originally Posted by arialanne;

She just has these awful man-farts

I totally lol'd at this btw! Love it!

[5gifts]

Find a chiropractor that works with babies regularly. It shouldn't cost too much, and they can do an adjustment to really get things moving!

[TX Mama]

My lil man went through a no poop phase as well and it can be scary. I second the tummy massage. I know you said you tried it but I urge you to try again. Start large (around the outside of the tummy) and go smaller. Think a spiral. It is VERY IMPORTANT to go clockwise on the tummy. Firm but gentle pressure as you are trying to move things. This massage is also good for adults
Give her a nice bath then a massage.

[JudiAU]

I agree with the others. Nurse, delay any more solids until after 6+ months, and her tummy will figure it out. If it doesn't happen within a week, I would take her in for a laxative of some type.

[PatioGardener]

OP, how are things? Any poop?