Question about newborns that are EBF & bowel movements

My son is 5 weeks old today. He is EBF. For the first 4 weeks of his life, he was pooping anywhere from 3-8 times per day. This week has tapered off to 2-3 times a day, which I know is normal. But for some reason, he is skipping days now. He will go 36 hours without a bowel movement and then go twice that day. He is passing gas and seems uncomfortable. It is Thursday and he has not gone since Tuesday night. He also skipped Monday this week.

Is this normal? What should I do? I have not changed anything with my diet or anything.

Re: Question about newborns that are EBF & bowel movements

LOL...I guess my boys are similar! The search history shows a very similair post that I did in 2009 about the same topic with DS #1...my how we forget!

The big difference is that DS #1 was almost 4 months when I posted that & DS #2 is only 5 weeks!

Message edited 6/16/2011 8:09:50 AM.

Re: Question about newborns that are EBF & bowel movements

I EBF for the first 4 months. Youre right about the number of poops dropping, it happened to me too... went from like 5-6 poops a day to once a day, to once every other day.

My Ped. said it was normal up until the third day, if there is no poop by the third day to call him!!

I would try to massage the belly downwards (there are vidoes online) and also bicycle his legs, that might help get things moving.

Re: Question about newborns that are EBF & bowel movements

My dr said it is very common for bf babies to change their bowel habits frequently. They can go from going a few times a day to every other day back to a few times a day...all normal

Re: Question about newborns that are EBF & bowel movements

My DD used to after or during every feeding, but somewhere along the line it definitely changed. She now goes 1-2 times a day. I can't remember exactly when that started, but she's 5 months now and it's been like that for a while.

Re: Question about newborns that are EBF & bowel movements

MY DD is six weeks today and the same exact thing started happening last week. She use to go 3-4 poops a day now she only goes 1-2. Last weekend she went 3 days without a poop and dr. said I had to probe her with a thermometer to stimulate the rectum to get her to poop (oh it worked!). Dr. said it is fine for her to go a day or two without pooping, but after three days try stimulating the rectum and if that still doesnt work, give her 1/3 of a pediatric suppository. I havent had to do the suppository yet and only had to stimulate the rectum 1x. My dr. said that babies at this age may go through bouts like this and it is normal - but dont let it go more than 3 days. If suppository didnt work then he said to make an appointment to come into the office. Good luck!

Re: Question about newborns that are EBF & bowel movements

Pooping patterns change. As long as he's gaining well and seems satisfied, I wouldn't worry!