Q&A: breastfed baby poop

Rachel writes:

"My daughter is one month old, and her pooping schedule has slowed from three or more dirty diapers a day to one every few days to one a week to what we have now, which is a week and a half and counting. She has tons of wet diapers, and lots of stinky gas with sometimes the tiniest bit of poop leaked, but just no real poops. When she does poop, it's a huge amount, and it looks like a typical breastfed baby poop, just lots more of it.

With my first child, who pooped all the time, I remember reading that breastfed babies sometimes poop as little as once a week, so I knew this was a possibility. I did some looking online recently and found the same thing, with people saying breastfed babies are almost never constipated and can sometimes go a week between BMs (one site said, in extreme cases, three weeks, though I didn't see that elsewhere). Overall my daughter is very healthy. She's been gaining weight, she sleeps well, and she's not really fussy (I know, I'm very, very lucky). She is a lazy eater and often latches off in under five minutes, but because of the weight gain and the fact that she just looks great, the lactation consultant said she thinks my daughter is just one of those babies who eats quickly (again, I have no idea how we got so lucky). She fusses on the breast a lot in the late evenings before bed and does seem to scrunch and grunt when passing gas, but other than that, she seems perfectly fine.

My problem is this: my pediatrician wants to give the baby some suppositories or other constipation remedy if she doesn't poop in a day or two. I really don't want to mess with her system if it's not necessary, but I also don't want to deny her treatment that she needs. My husband is between jobs and we are without insurance for a few weeks, but we could pay for the visit/treatment if she really needed it, but the be honest that's another reason not to do anything unless it's truly necessary.

Since my other child was a constant pooper, I'd love to hear from readers who have breastfed kids who pooped rarely. How long would your kid go between BMs? Did it ever cause problems? Are there any home remedies we could try before sticking something up her bum? I've cut out dairy for a few days just for lack of any other ideas, but no movement so far. Any other things I could be eating that could be causing her digestive problems, if this really is a problem? Did your kid's BMs ever increase in frequency? Was constipation a problem when solids were introduced?"

I already answered Rachel privately, but let me just reiterate here that frequency of poop is not an issue for breastfed babies. Because different babies absorb the nutrients in breastmilk in different ways at different times, going a long time between poops is not necessarily a cause for concern. What you do want to watch out for is the consistency, color, and smell of the poop. If it's still that same brownish-yellowish-orangish-greenish soft or seedy poop, and it has that smell that I always thought was a lot like elementary school paste, you're fine. If it smells really foul (like the baby's sick) and is hard or in nuggets and is black, that's a problem and you should call your doctor. (Green poop can be caused by anything from your eating lots of spinach to having a foremilk-hindmilk imbalance to the baby's having some kind of little cold or virus. It basically means the poop is going quickly through the baby's system, and if it doesn't seem to be accompanied by any other problems it's not a problem in and of itself.)

I'm actually rather concerned that Rachel's doctor wants to give a perfectly healthy baby suppositories. It shows a lack of understanding of one of the basic facts that anyone working with a decent-sized breastfeeding population should know. (By that I mean that the average breastfeeding mom only really knows her own kid's patterns, but someone who deals with lot of breastfed babies certainly ought to know what the range of normal is.) I'd be extremely hesitant to give a healthy baby anything that's going to interrupt his natural bowl functioning. If her doctor is truly insistent, she should call her LC or local La Leche League leader, who can pull any available literature on the range of normal for pooping.

Now to the anecdotes. I've said it thousands of times here, but both of my kids changed pooping patterns every time they went through a growth spurt. I think the longest time either of mine went was 3-4 days. Of course I'm not going to pretend that I didn't start to get worried about it, but my worry was mostly that we'd be out somewhere and 4 days' worth of poop would all come out and cause a poopsplosion somewhere I couldn't really deal with it.

Another friend of mine said her daughter routinely pooped once a week for months. Said child is going happily off to college at the end of this month.

Anyone else with tales of poop? I posted this question mainly because I wanted there to be a bunch of data points gathered in one place, so any other moms frantically Googling at 3 am could see what's actually normal.

Comments

[kirsten]

Mine was one of the one poop every 3 weeks club until she started solids at six months. Perfectly healthy. exact same situation. Now she is two and poops 2-3xs a day!

[Laura]

My ebf'd-til-9-months-multiple-food-intolerance-daughter started getting more and more infrequent until we began seeing a chiropractor on a regular basis. Chiro really helps straighten the lines, so to speak. She poops and farts much more easily after an adjustment. She also SLEPT for 4 hours at a stretch (more than I'd had since she was born) after her first adjustment.

Now that she's started solids, she poops just about every time she eats a solids meal.

The thing that really helps stimulate the gas movement for us is to "pinch" gently down the sides of her spine from neck to low back. It works even better than the tummy rubs and leg bicycling (which I also do). I believe it has something to do with the acupressure points for the stomach and gut being easily accessible there.

But if your baby is not screaming with gas pains or when those infrequent poops come, I wouldn't worry about it. If there's something wrong, I think you'll know! Trust your instincts!

[Tanya]

One more data point. My daughter was EBF to seven months. She pooped everyday or every three days at the longest until at 7 1/2 months she went about 10 days. I was getting a bit worried, but she was saving it until we got to the airport for an international flight back to the states. (Thankfully she didn't wait until the actual plane ride) We have introduced solids now but she is still an infrequent pooper. I think we are on about day 7-8 here (she's 9 months). She doesn't seem uncomfortable or constipated but I'm starting to get nervous about being too far from a change of outfit!

[Julie]

Pooperduper! At our house, we love poops. All kinds, from all contributors (except perhaps the dogs).

I have nothing left to say that hasn't already been said. I will only repeat the following:
-I don't think you have a constipation problem, I think you have a pediatrician problem. Get a second opinion.

Speaking of poops....am I the only person out there to break into fits of hysterical giggles everytime the baseball player Pujoles name is said (for those not familiar, it's pronounced "POO-holes")???? Good grief....I'm giggling even now.

[AnonMom]

I wouldn't worry about it if she's not upset (it's your second kid -- your mom radar should be tipping you off if something is really wrong). But, if you want a non-suppository poop-helper, try Karo syrup (it's the corn syrup used to make pecan pie). The doctors in these parts tell moms to put a spoonful in a bottle (usually it's with formula, but I don't see why expressed breastmilk or water wouldn't work). It helps things move along. (NB: I am not a doctor or nurse or any of those things -- I just know what my friends have done.)

[Sara]

You know, the carseat thing is funny.

Now not only does every single baby garment have to be heavily gendered, but I see people buying delicate pink strollers and carseats and I think, "people, you will not get those yellow stains out. What are you THINKING?"

[Melanie]

Hahahaha!!! It's so funny that there are so many comments on this topic! Only a bunch of moms like us would spend hours reading through a comment list of encyclopedic proportions and then jump at the chance to share our two cents on our babies' poop schedules! It's just one more reminder that a mom's day consists largely of wiping noses and butts! :)

My two cents - DD2 was an infrequent pooper (week to ten days between)--still is. But she's healthy as an ox (and as strong).

[MommyProf]

I think sometimes docs offer medical-type solutions because it seems like the parents want them or because they feel silly telling someone who paid for an office visit to do nothing. If the hospital where you delivered has lactation nurses, you can always call them for a second opinion.

[rachel]

Thanks for all the comments! I now have a much better understanding of all the ways a breastfed baby can poop or not poop and still be 100% okay. And I think Moxie's right: lots of moms will find this thread while frantically Googling and it will save them some worry. This site rocks.

I should have been more clear in my original question, but it was actually my ped's nurse (who's great and helpful but maybe not as knowledgable about breastfeeding as my pediatrician) who suggested suppositories. From now on I guess I'll take any breastfeeding-related advice or info this nurse offers with an extra-large grain of salt.

And just in case anyone cares, my daughter had a massive poop the day after I posted this question. Luckily we were home at the time, because it was definitely a poopquake, a poopsplosion, and all those other terms too.

[Me]

My son, now 10 months, pooped once a week for a long time while he was breastfed exclusively, and when he started solids, the pooping increased and now its every 2 days and occasionally every day.

[Charlene]

How right you are Rachel! I did find this thread while frantically googling the subject of a seemingly constipated 8 1/2 month old, EBF baby, and how helpful it has been. Not only am I relieved I am also in a good mood, some of those stories are fun-nee!!
I agree with the messages who relate the changing poo pattern to a growth spurt, mind you, my R has seemed to be on a continuous one since around 5 months, only letting up for a few days at a time.
However, even though when he does poo its typically that of a BF baby, and yes his wind gets increasingly smelly as its approaching, he does appear to suffer some discomfort and frustration. I.E: He will just seem kinda aggressive, shouting a lot and going for me with a piranha like attack mode trying to get his gnashers into any bare flesh he can feel. (He is just about to cut his 8th, yes, 8th tooth arrghhh!) So i ask ye lot, even though he does not fit the diagnostic criteria for 'constipated', he is uncomfortable, which is worrying me a ittle. Any advice or similar situations??
I bought some prunes today, I'm in Ireland (we are soooo backward here, so no pre-pureed ones available :-() and was thinkin of tryin them, if just to ease his discomfort, I'm not at all worried about the non-arrival of a poo-y nappy since last tuesday! Anybody have any ideas on hoe to puree them?, would a hand blender do the job?
Also, just to add my tupenny's worth, cloth nappies are so much better at keeping leaky poo in its rightful place, squashed on your baby's bahookey!
Looking forward to responses ;)

[Patti]

I am late on this, but I didn't see anyone say that their baby went 2 weeks or more and then just had a normal sized poop...my daughter did this regularly until we started solids. I waffled between the thought that she had some sort of partial blockage and freaking out after about a week and not wanting to go anywhere because of the possibility of a total blowout, until I learned that she must have been just absorbing all of my milk!(She weighed 20# at 6 mos) I never saw a blowout, and finally just started carrying one diaper and a couple of wipes in my purse, cause I knew there would never be much. And she was/is a perfectly healthy baby!

[EddieVan]

I read through this info here.... and most kids seem to be fine up to two weeks. Our child is now at 25 days of no poop and counting. The closest I've read was three weeks (which is very close!). The doc is suggesting laculose... personally, I think that if the baby isn't complaining, the parents shouldn't. The wife is certainly concerned. She's a nurse, and they 'know too much'! He's five months old now. All b-feed. I had suggested we switch the diet (formula or start basic solids), as I'm sure that'll change the bowel movements...

[Naomi]

My baby boy is a 8-10 day pooper. He has gone up to 14 days without a poop though. He is a breast-fed only baby - doctor said it is just what is "normal" for him.

[Naomi]

My baby boy is a 8-10 day pooper. He has gone up to 14 days without a poop though. He is a breast-fed only baby - doctor said it is just what is "normal" for him.

[Nancy]

I have a 91/2 week old baby who has gone up to 6 days without pooping. My ped. said to not let him go 4 days without the help of a glycerin suppositorie. He has also referred my to a ped. gastro. He is also breastfed. I am now wondering if I should stop the suppositories and see how long he will go. He constantly has very stinky gas and when he does go it is soft and yellowish.

[Lucy]

I am new to this blog and think it's so fabulous! This particular 'poop' subject from Rachel really interested me because it's exactly the same as my 13 week old baby girl. My first born, now 5 years old, pooped everyday, so this time with my baby going for days at a time without a BM had me a bit worried. And I thought I'd be such a pro second time around, there are so many things that are different. So Rachel, I guess our babies must be "normal" - phew!! Thanks for all the advice and reassurance everyone.

[Christina K in MI]

We're currently on day 9 of the pooping strike! I was so thankful to find this thread as I am a new mom to my first living child.

Love the terms poopsplosion and poopalanche!

[Christina K in MI]

We're currently on day 9 of the pooping strike! I was so thankful to find this thread as I am a new mom to my first living child.

Love the terms poopsplosion and poopalanche!

[Katie]

Most of these comments are about babies having pooping schedules with long internals in between...oh how I am praying for that day to come! lol My 3 month old is still pooping at EVERY feeding. The poor guy tries desperately to eat and go to sleep, only to be awaken by me changing him yet again. It's an endless cycle of eating and pooping. It worries me because it's also often green. My pediatrician said not to worry though because he's happy and healthy and gaining VERY well. I still do worry about the green poop though and wish I didn't have to see poop itself so often. lol Hopefully it will change soon to less frequent.

[Julie]

Count me in as another one who was thankful to find this thread after only 2 days of no poop!

My 4 week-old has had the textbook number of poopy diapers a day until yesterday.

Even though I rang NHS Direct (a phone-based medical advice helpline here in the UK) and they said it was perfectly normal and not to worry, I still worried. So to hear all these accounts has made me much relieved.

Not looking forward to the poopsplosion when it comes though. I can cope with several little poops a day - a simple wipe and they're gone. I would prefer that.

[KJ]

I concur that this can be a normal pattern but I have a added complication. My 3mos old son was born with a bowel obstruction and has had surgery to address it. Now when he goes 2-3 days without a poop, his surgeon wants me to use a suppository. I am inclined to wait but considering his condition, perhaps intervention is called for?

[Rachelle]

This makes me feel a lot better! My son is 3 monthes old and I'm awaiting a poo.. (This is day 8) I gave him pear juice yesterday...didn't work so far. I also took his temp, still nothing. I don't think I'll feel that I have to call the ped. just yet after all...

[Hannah]

This makes me feel much better too. My 3-month-old is currently on day 8 of no poops. Until about 3 weeks ago, she still went 3 or 4 times a day. Then she switched to once a day. Now it's been 8 days and I was getting a little concerned. I'll try not to worry though. I will, however, change her out of her very cute white and pale pink outfit just in case... ;)

[deborah]

my concern is my niece who is 3 months and weights 10lbs. her mom says her poop is clear liquid. and she also not a big eater. I believe there is something wrong because i can see delayed developement already. she won't stand,even when you press on the bottoms of her feet her legs don't straighten out. she looks like the day she was born only 3 months older. any advice that i can pass on. There having her tested for allergies.

[esra]

hi everyone,
I have a 6 weeks old son and we have a poop problem. I am breastfeeding him and he can't poop. he is fussy but the real problem is he throws up a lot while he is trying to poop and he can't.. he had eczama on his face and dermatologist said that it could be milk allergy so I cut all the dairy. does anyone know that the reaon he can't poop may be the milk allergy? I wouldn't worry about it but he is throwing up a lot.. thanks

[Erinn]

My almost 3 month old's poop pattern has recently changed. She used to poop about twice a day usually after feeding and it was thr typical breastfeed smell, color and consistency. recently she went 2 days without a poop and then had a big one, then went 1 1/2 days and then another one. i'm not so concerned with the change in frequency as everything i've read says this can be normal but the smell has changed dratiscally. Her poop smells more rancid now, alost like an outhouse smell is the only way i can describe it. Any ideas??????

[Sarah]

I have a healthy 7 month old baby boy. He is exclusively breastfed. He "poop" frequency went to oce a week at about a month of age. He then progressively got longer between poops with a month (yes 4 weeks) without a poop. I actually wasn't concerned as he was a happy baby and still eating like a champ. My doctor said not to worry about it unless he seemed distressed or uncomfortable. When he finally did go, and always when he's in the baby bathtub, what a mess! It was like soft serve ice cream and a light brown color. He didn't strain or cry, just smiled in the soapy water and pooped! He has continued that routine for a few months. I started him on solids at 6 mo to see if he would poop more often but so far he hasn't. I would say you have to go on our intuition. This is my second child and my first went about 2 weeks between poops and he is now 2 years and poops 1-2 times a day. The suppository will only help if there is stool in the rectum and according to my pediatrician it is only water anyways so I don't think it would hurt to try it if you are overly worried. I felt like I had to write as I am the only one I've ever found to have a baby go so long without a BM. Maybe I should be in the guiness book!

[Kim]

My son was ~95% breastfed (~8-15 oz formula per week, to tide him over until I got home from work). From ~2-3 months until about 5-6 months, my son was a biweekly pooper. On his "poop days", it was usually one big blowout on Monday or Tuesday evening, that looked like brownish-yellowish-greenish very, very soft clay. I did have at least one time where it started while I was changing a wet diaper. It didn't hit the wall, or my clothes, but it was very much like one of those play-doh presses, leaving a massive pile on the changing pad.

[leah]

My daughter is 5 weeks old and always around 9:30p.m. She seems.to have alot.of.trouble.pooping. I know alot.of.people say thats.normal but just the way shescreams she sounds so.in pain. Ive heard the supp help but i think im.afraid to use them.. Anything i can.do?