Dr. Lynn Cates
Specializing in pediatric infectious diseases and childhood immunizations.
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 Ask Dr. Cates
Prolonged Constipation In A Two-Month Old | | | QUESTION | | | Dear Dr. Cates,
My 2-1/2-month-old baby has not had a bowel movement in 12 days. She is breastfed. What can I do to make her go? She has seen a specialist, and there is the possibility that part of her spine is missing, part that controls bowel movements. But she does pass gas, which smells like poop. I am very worried, please help!— Worried Mum in Britain, London | | | ANSWER |
June 11, 2001 | | | Dear Worried Mum,
You are right to be concerned that your baby has not had a bowel movement for 12 days. Although it is quite common for infants to have irregular stool patterns (e.g., several one day and few the next), it is very unusual for a child to go this long without passing a stool at all.
Even though she has already seen a specialist, she definitely needs to be seen again right away because babies can develop complications from prolonged constipation like this. You can either contact the specialist she has already seen or find someone else who has a lot of experience dealing with young babies. A thorough evaluation will help determine the cause of her problem as well as suitable ways to help her.— by Lynn Cates, M.D., F.A.A.P. |
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