EBFers constipation in EBFing baby??? what?

ACAsomeday · February 2012

Hey ladies, my little guy is EBFing and used to poop at least 6-8 times per day. (sometimes up to 12!)

Starting about 4 days ago, he has only gone 3 times!! Each time was a major blowout and the poop was kinda slimy in consistency and brownish yellow (normal color)

He is eating as much as usual. I am feeding on demand.

Any clues as to what is causing this or what I can do to remedy it? The only thing I can find online is dehydration, but that babies usually remedy that by drinking more milk. Our house IS incredibly dry - we heat by woodstove. And for a few days I forgot to turn on the humidifier in our room, but still for the last 2 nights we've had it on and we only missed 2 days. I feel so bad for the little guy! I know he's uncomfortable and he's been waking up every 2 hours in the night. I think maybe some of that could be to rehydrate too...??

Thanks!

jb2rn · February 2012

my LC said stools become less predictable around 6 weeks. it could just be "normal" for him. Is he in pain? straining? If not, I would not worry just yet.

Goodfam11 · February 2012

My LO used to poop that much too but as they get older their digestive tract starts to regulate itself and you will start to see a reduction in the amount of poop. Eli is fairly consistent at one big one a day now but sometimes he goes every two days. He is also EBF. When he misses a day it does turn into a serious, clothes changing, bath needed blowout.

They say it's extremely unlikely for EBF's to get constipated. What is he doing when he wakes up every two hours? If he is feeding, then it might be a growth spurt. I would also take notice of what you eat as some foods tend to effect their systems.

Good Luck and I hope he gets relief soon!

ACAsomeday · February 2012

jb2rn:
my LC said stools become less predictable around 6 weeks. it could just be "normal" for him. Is he in pain? straining? If not, I would not worry just yet.

hmmm..okay... No, he doesn't seem to be straining. He has had a few sudden screaming moments that are typical of pain, but they only last a second and they aren't followed by any type of gas or BM, so they may just be random!

vanessa11411 · February 2012

Lo just went 3 days without pooping and it finally made it's way out yesterday. It was thicker than normal, but my guess is cause it was in there longer. I'm pretty sure it's normal.

ArcadianDreams · February 2012

Mine pretty much stops pooping every time he's in a growth spurt also. Then afterwards it picks back up again. Maybe that's what your LO is doing?

ACAsomeday · February 2012

ArcadianDreams:
Mine pretty much stops pooping every time he's in a growth spurt also. Then afterwards it picks back up again. Maybe that's what your LO is doing?

Arcadian & Goodfam: He is eating every 2 hours! Sometimes I get a 3 hour stretch. This has been going on for about a week. So, maybe he is in a growth spurt. Before that he was eating every 3 hours and sometimes would give me a 4 hour stretch. It makes me feel better to see that other EBFing babies are doing this and that it is often related to growth.

Andi2384 · February 2012

I agree with the pp, I think it's a growth spurt and the regulation of his digestive track. Phin was pooping in every diaper until two weeks ago, and when I expressed concerns to his pediatrician, she said it was "normal." Have you called your pediatrician? I really don't think you have to worry, but maybe it would help ease your mind.

J8Cash · February 2012

I posted something similar to this earlier today. DS is 11 weeks old today and EBF. He has now has stopped pooping during the night and around 4am his sleep become restless and he fusses while he sleeps. I don't think he struggles to get it out or that he is "constipated"... I think he suffers from the uncomfortable build up. But in the morning after he poops he's all better and back to his happy lil' self! Then he goes back to regular BM's during the day, usually 3 or 4 more before bedtime.

After reading the responses to your post as well as mine I feel much better knowing that this is normal. Hope it gets better for both of us and our LO's soon! )

cmb0118 · February 2012

This!

Goodfam11:

My LO used to poop that much too but as they get older their digestive tract starts to regulate itself and you will start to see a reduction in the amount of poop. Eli is fairly consistent at one big one a day now but sometimes he goes every two days. He is also EBF. When he misses a day it does turn into a serious, clothes changing, bath needed blowout.

ChloeBelle58 · February 2012

For about a whole month, dd was pooping once every 4-6 days!! it freaked me out, but the pedi said it is normal for EBF babies to go without pooping for up to 10 whole days!!! I was surprised to hear that, but now dd has started going about 3 time every day! i think babies just go through a lot of different changes...

ACAsomeday · February 2012

ChloeBelle58:
For about a whole month, dd was pooping once every 4-6 days!! it freaked me out, but the pedi said it is normal for EBF babies to go without pooping for up to 10 whole days!!! I was surprised to hear that, but now dd has started going about 3 time every day! i think babies just go through a lot of different changes...

wowwww 10 days??!! thats intense. i hope that doesnt happen to william! we're now going on about 31 hours!