Poopy Dipaers (x-post in BF)

[luminesce]

My babe is 4 weeks, 4 days old. He's been gaining about an ounce a day (or around 6 ounces a week) which according to the resources I've read is average (even though his gain seems to pale in comparison to my brother's babe and other babes here in the DDC.) I've relaxed about it for the most part because he has been peeing and pooping ok - even though there are still times when I worry about supply issues and if he is getting enough.

I'm worrying a bit again, however, because it seems like his pooping frequency is slowing down. Early on, he had lots of poops and now he has gone over 24 hrs without a poop. I think I read somewhere that poop frequency can slow down at some point as the colostrum, which has a laxative effect completely leaves your milk. When does the pooping slow-down happen? When should I get worried? Anyone else have this concern?

He's been extremely fussy at the breast the last couple of days too - which made me worry again he wasn't getting enough but I think it might be due to a growth spurt. He gained 1.5 oz, 1 oz and 2 oz according to my scales in the past 3 days which is more than he has in the past. But, maybe the poo is stuck :P

[doudat]

Babies inevitably slow down their poop production as some point. Usually, by 6 weeks, they're not doing their crazy "poop everytime they eat" dance. Count yourself lucky if yours stopped a bit early!! If he's gaining weight, I really wouldn't worry. Breastfed babies are never constipated, it's just that breastmilk is almost completely absorbed and creates little to no by-product (aka poop ). Ds used to go 7-10 days between poops when he was was a baby, and this is completely normal.

[lesley&grace]

Hmm, isn't fun the many ways they can worry us?

I would take him to be checked by his dr, just to be sure that it's not something more. I can't remember when Grace's poops slowed down, and Gabriel's not quite two weeks and poops all the time. But anytime you are worried it certainly does not hurt to take them to see a dr.

[Muggins&Doody]

Funny you mention this... DS just went 24 hrs without a poop. I kept opening his diaper all day yesterday wondering where the poop was But he had a doozy this morning.

[krismarie]

i love it when they poop less! my ds started pooping once every other day or so at about 2 months. i'm sure it can happen earlier! i doubt he's constipated...is he passing gas? don't worry about his growth...if he is gaining weight, that's good. i remember fussy spells with ds (who knows why...growth spurts, their intestines are still "learning" how to work, etc). don't worry!

[mainesax]

My daughter did the same thing around 5 or 6 weeks old. As she got older she got into a pattern of going every 4 days. I asked my ped about it, and he said "constipation is consistency, not frequency" and I just had to keep telling myself that! As long as it's still the typical bf poop, you're all set!

[Doula Gina]

don't forget about that 4-6 week growth spurt. This throws many mothers for a loop and is the cause of much unnecessary supplementation with things other than breastmilk. The poop thing is normal, too.

Hang in there.

[MonTana Mama]

I love it when they slow down too. I feel like there is poop in there every time I check-he is 2 wks tomorrow.

[luminesce]

It has almost been 5 days now! Ugh, when do I get worried?

[Muggins&Doody]

Ugg, I dunno. It's been 3.5 days here. Keep me updated (I can't believe I'm asking for an update on poop).

[mclisa]

Sophia pooped last Wednesday and then didn't poop again until yesterday so she went a week. The one last week was a blow out so she was quite cleaned out. She pooped alot yesterday so I was surprised when she pooped and pooped today. She's been eating alot so I guess she's getting enough.

[wildthing]

At this age, I wouldn't worry at all, even up to a week. Breastmilk is very well assimilated, and there is minimal waste. It is not at all unusualto go this long without a bowel movement.

Can I ask why you are weighing him every day? Are there other issues going on?

[luminesce]

Originally Posted by wildthing

At this age, I wouldn't worry at all, even up to a week. Breastmilk is very well assimilated, and there is minimal waste. It is not at all unusualto go this long without a bowel movement.

Can I ask why you are weighing him every day? Are there other issues going on?

nak

My milk didn't come in until day 8/9 and I've felt like I've had some supply issues. I've been taking fenugreek once in a while and eating oats for breakfast. I feel like my supply is sufficient for the most part now but there are also days when I feel like I've made "just enough." I've never been engorged and only sometimes feel full - but then again, I've been nursing SOO frequently. Babe has also had some odd pink colored dipes which we are guessing are urate crystals, though he is peeing fine and not dehydrated. Given all this, I'm sticking him on the scale just to make sure he is gaining, mostly for peace of mind. BF was SOOO hard at first when my milk didn't come in; it was scary!

[jenger]

I'm so glad this thread was started-
We're having poop/supply issues here too!
I thought I was just having problems with my flat nipple, but after my teice weekely visits to the lactation consultant, I've found my babe is not really putting on much weight.
I have been working really hard at increasing production- pumping after feeding, Mothers milk tea, waking her regularly to feed (I wasn't doing that at first, as I assumed her body would know when to eat, and then give me cues...)
She pooped once yesterday, after 3 days without, and then again this morning. I've never been so happy about poop!
We're getting a few more weight checks next week to make sure she starts gaining.
She's 17 days and not quite at her birthweight...
Anyway, I'm happy I'm not the only one without overflowing breasts...

[MamaPam]

Around 3 weeks old we moved from the popping every feeding to every other to every 3 days. Its normal for the frequency to go down but not sure what is the maximum they should go between BM. DD#2 went 10 days between BM once though she was a little older.

-Pam

[luminesce]

The blow-out came last night - so he went almost six days between movements. I still notice some pink urine though. It bothers me since he is peeing and gaining ok. I just don't see how it is urate crystals.

jenger: I've had a lot of luck with using oatmeal to increase supply. My milk really increased after a HUGE bowl the other morning (4 instant packets at once.) I love this kind: http://www.usmillsllc.com/usmills/pr...ion.php?id=134

[jenger]

Sereniti-
Thanks for the tip- I'll try more oatmeal!

My milk seems to have increased as well- We didn't have a blow out, but we've had a couple of 2 poop days in a row now! And she never used to spit-up and she does now. (who knew I'd be soo happy about poop and spit up?!?!)
I'm still working on it, however. On Friday we get the offical weight check to make sure everything is really ok.