Newborn goes week without pooping

Newborn goes week without pooping

by Anne
(Houston)

Ever since my milk came in my daughter pooped only every other to every 3 days. Today she is 6 weeks old and we are now on day 7. Last week she went 5 days. My doctor wasn't concerned and said that it's not uncommon, however they also say that nursing babies poop all the time. It's confusing.

When I call in to the Doctor the nurses advice was apple juice or prune juice. On day 4 of this week I did try 1oz of apple juice and nothing changed. Should I try doing prunes, or the other advice was a glyceren suppository.

I don't want to give her these things but I am worried about her poop. She is only breastfeeding. My other 2 children who were only breastfed pooped practically every time they nursed!

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Newborn goes week without pooping

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Sep 17, 2009
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Suppository is a good idea
by: Heather ;-)

Anne,

If it's been a week, I recommend following your doctor's suggestion and trying the glycerin suppository. Having had to use it on both my babies at some point, it is very reliable.

You don't want to use it very often, since it can cause dependence, but a week warrants an intervention.

It is very odd that your breastfed baby is having such bowel problems, but I wouldn't be too alarmed at this point. Every baby is different. Personally, I never had any success with apple juice - prune juice was always the winner at our house.

Try mixing a few Tbs of prune juice in with pumped breastmilk, once or twice a day. You may also want to consider your diet. Can you eat more high-fiber foods that can be passed along through your milk? Do you eat a lot of binding foods like bananas or cheese? Limiting those and increasing your leafy greens may also help.

Having had two constipated babies, I certainly understand your concern. Try these things and keep us posted on her progress. If they don't seem to be helping, we'll try something else!

with care,
Heather