days between bms

[Anonymous]

Hi everyone,

I know it’s normal for breastfed babies to go days between bms, and Caden has been doing this for awhile, but now that we’ve started introducing solids, shouldn’t he be going more often? He still goes 3-4 days between bms sometimes. When he goes, they are more solid than they used to be, but so far he hasn’t been truly constipated. He’s not eating a lot of solids, but he has some each day.

Thanks

[Anonymous]

when we first started solids Trace pooped a lot less. i think its normal. i was only concerned if he pooped hard balls or was uncomfortable. actually sometimes though, he would poop hard balls, and then like an hour later he would poop soft poop. sorry tmi, but in my experience little hard balls arent always constipation, because often times he will have a normal poop after he does that.

[Anonymous]

Is he on a PPI? That can also lead to constipation. Our ped Gi told us that the length of time between poops isn’t as important as the “texture” of the poop itself. She said that you should be able to squeeze the poop in between your fingers ( again, I know.. covered with a diaper, I assume!) and it shouldn’t be hard- it should be squeezable or soft. Hard balls are an indication that they’re not getting enough fibre, typically. You need to watch out b/c they can cause anal fissures if they’re too hard or too big. Like Natalia, we also find that the hard stored up poop is followed by a soft fresh one later (my husband calls the hard one the “cork”). Sorry, if that’s just disgusting.

Back to the point, I guess- If he’s not uncomfortable, and if they’re not hard, but just formed, I think that’s to be expected after starting solids. Hailey also doesn’t go every day (but she’s prone to constipation). We found that benefibre really helps to add some bulk to the stool.

Good luck.

[hellbennt]

yeah, poop should be the consistancy of peanut butter I’ve been told oh how I detest poop talk (eh, but it’s a part of life w/ a baby, lol!)

[Anonymous]

Peanut butter? Really?… Hailey’s poop is more the consistency of the actual peanut!

[Anonymous]

Wow, thanks for all the info. Caden’s poop has never been really firm, but has been firmer lately with the introduction of solids. I was just wondering if going 4 days between bms was ok. I guess it is as long as he isn’t uncomfortable. None of our other kids did this, so I just wanted to see what you all thought.

Thanks!

[Anonymous]

It’s probably just a normal variation. My friend’s daughter used to poop twice a week (for the first three yrs anyway) and she was not constipated. She thought my kids (who pooped three times a day) were strange.

[Anonymous]

Can you try adding a bit more fibre and see if that makes him go more often? Our ped GI told us that it’s not uncommon for refluxers to poop less often… something to do with delayed gastric and intestinal motility.

[Anonymous]

I think as long at the poop is…um…soft you are fine.

[Anonymous]

Yes, I can certainly try adding more fiber to his diet. Since several of you have recommended Benefiber, I think I may just add some of that to the food he is eating now (pears, etc.) since I’m not sure if prunes would be a bit harsh for him right now. He just seems a bit more sensitive than our other boys with the different solids we’ve tried.

[Anonymous]

I do give my son just a couple baby spoons of prunes in his fruit once or twice a day.. it seems to help.. his poop is soft but kinda dry most of the time… ( eww i know) and he sometimes still strains pretty hard for just a small ” doughball” for lack of a better term … seems like too much work for a little poop… the prunes have made it closer to a pb consistency

KimM

[Anonymous]

Amelia is going on day 12 of no bowel movement! I was reassured by the GI that it’s ok as long as she’s not straining or in pain. That is the answer I have gotten from her Ped as well. So, from my understanding, the number of days between doesn’t matter.

[Anonymous]

Yes, I have come to the conclusion too that it doesn’t matter how many days in between, because Caden is in a pattern of only going every 5-6 days, but it is never hard or painful for him. He does strain quite a bit, but I think he’s just getting used to a firmer consistency as his bms are usually like peanut butter but maybe a bit firmer.

I also have added prunes to his diet (every other day or so) mixed with Oatmeal cereal, and this has helped him too.

He also LOVES to drink water from a cup, so I give him plenty of water to drink with his meals. He still nurses a LOT too, so he is well hydrated I think that helps too.

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