Stressing about LOs lack of bowel movements

loeroam

My EBF son is 8 weeks old and I am concerned with his lack of bowel movements.  For the first month, he pooped almost every hour.  For the past three weeks, he has only have 1 bowel movement a week, and that was only after prune juice.  The pediatrician told me to give him Gerber Soothe probiotics to help.  He has been on the probiotics since last Friday and he hasn't had a BM since last Sat (following prune juice).  I'm starting to get worried since this is happening with some regularity now.  He eats fine, but is SUPER gassy and grunts almost all day long trying to fart (including in his sleep).  I'm going to wait until Monday to call the pediatrician again - if he doesn't poop this weekend, then it will have been 9 days.  At this point, I am wondering if he has delayed gastric emptying or something else.  Does anyone else have a young infant that is breast fed and not having bowel movements?

oliversmommy32912

Ebf babies can't get constipated. It's within the realm of normal for Ebf babies to go 10+ days between poops according to Kellymom. If he has enough wet diapers and he is growing fine I wouldn't worry.

kearls227

I think the biggest thing to watch is the consistency of the bowel movements. If they're nice and soft, completely normal. Time to worry though if they're very hard and pebble like. It's also super normal for babies to strain a lot with bowel movements since their abs aren't very strong. Lastly, EBF babies digest almost everything from the Breast milk which is why they may not have as many BMs later on. Certainly call your pedi though, as they always know best!

loeroam

I never said thanks to everyone for replying.  The probiotics finally started working.