Being a first-time mom, I know it is heartbreaking when your baby is constipated. I remember when Aiden hasn’t had bowel movement for 3 days, I began to worry. Is this normal for a 4 months old exclusively breastfed baby or is he constipated? After talking to my lactation consultant, I know this is normal for EBF baby to have infrequent bowel movement.
Most babies grunt and get red in the face when having a bowel movement. It is completely normal. However, your baby is constipated if his poo is dry and crumbly or like pellets, and it can cause him pain and discomfort.
WHAT IS NORMAL?
- There is NO necessary to give your baby fluids other than breastmilk or formula before 6 months of age.
- It is normal for exclusively breastfed infants to have more frequent bowel movement than formula-fed infants in the first 2 to 8 weeks after birth.
- In some exclusively breastfed babies over six weeks of age with normal growth and development, bowel movements may be infrequent and soft, ranging from one every two days to two weeks (here), or even three or four weeks. These infrequent stools can be normal in infants who are effectively transferring milk (changing from breast milk to formula or cow’s milk) and appropriately gaining weight.
WHEN YOU SHOULD WORRY?
If your baby is constipated for more than 2 weeks, If he has a fever, start vomiting, decrease appetite, have blood in stool and weight loss, follow up with your baby’s family doctor to make sure there are no other red flags.
TIPS FOR MANAGING YOUR INFANT’S CONSTIPATION AT HOME
- Continue breast feeding. Breast milk is easier to digest than infant formula because it is specific to the needs of human infants. It helps promote bowel regularly, mature the digestive tract and protect it from infection. If an exclusively breastfed infant has dry and hard stool, hydration should be assessed and the infant referred to a family physician or lactation consultant (if you have concerns about breastfeeding).
- Small and frequent feeds. Infants have small stomach. For better digestion, offer smaller feeds, more often throughout the day. For example, if you normally offer 6 ozs every 4 hours, try offering 3 ozs every 2 hours. This method may reduce gas and fussiness as well.
- Preparation method. If your baby is using formula, ensure that the formula is being properly prepared. Formula that is over concentrated can lead to difficulties with digestion as well as other medical problems. An extra ounces of water can be offered a couple of times a day to ensure adequate hydration.
- For some formula-fed babies, the answer is switching formulas. The iron in formula is often blamed for constipation, but this is no evidence that there is a link between the two. And babies need the iron to reduce the risk of anemia. Some babies, however, are intolerant of cow’s milk and do better on different iron-fortified formulas. You should switch infant formulas only under your family doctor’s guidance.
Many breastfed babies do have infrequent bowel movements however this does not mean that they are constipated.
OTHER NON-NUTRITIONAL TIPS
- Soft tummy massages. Starting in their navel, in a clockwise direction and moving outwards. Do several massages throughout the day, until your baby has a bowel movement.
- A warm bath (if he enjoys bathing). This will make them feel relaxed and you can continue the massage technique and relieve their discomfort.
- Cycle baby’s legs. You can try moving your baby’s leg in a cycling motion while they are lying on their backs to help loosen stools.
- Check with your family doctor to see whether it’s okay or necessary to use an over-the-counter stool softener.