 | here is a quote from mother-2-mother.com about stooling patterns for those of you concerned about constipation...
At around the age of six weeks, the stooling pattern of a breastfed baby may change. It is not uncommon for the breastfed baby to skip days between bowel movements. Some babies skip every other day, some go every two or three days, some once every 5 - 7 days, and some babies hold out for up to 11 or 12 days at a time - then have quite a FULL diaper when they DO go!
There is absolutely no reason to intervene and try methods commonly used to "induce" a bowel movement (such as prune or other types of juices, water, glycerin suppositories, or using rectal stimulation). If artificial stimulation is done too often, the baby's system can become dependant upon this stimulation to "go", and no longer is able to have a normal bowel movement on their own.
In most cases, as long as baby is not acting ill (lethargic, crying in pain, etc.), the tummy is soft, not rigid or distended, skipping days between stools is not cause for alarm, however, mother should not hesitate to ask her health care provider to check her baby to be sure there is no physical problem.
also, a few of you mentioned that your babies are on zantac. some of the side effects for that drug are constipation, diarrhea, and abdominal discomfort/pain.
by giving our babies medication, we might actually be making the situation worse, even if it was according to a doctor's recommendation. |
PREVIOUS MESSAGE
PREVIOUS DISCUSSION