No poop for 10 days?

My 8 week old EBM baby has not pooped in 10 days. We saw the doctor a couple weeks ago about this problem and he thinks a lot of her fussiness is due to stomach cramping. She'll take a bottle for a little while, then scream, but ravenously take it again only to scream again. It's maddening. The doc thinks her stomach cramps when she tries to eat because of backed up poop. We've tried the thermometer wiggle in her bum, tummy massage etc. Today I gave her a glycerin supp hoping for something, but nothing's come out. She's on zantac and that makes me wonder if it's causing the constipation? But she doesn't have hard stools, just a lot of pudding like poo.

Any suggestions you have might have are much appreciated. This is one fussy girl!

 

We had constipation problems with Zantac. It's one of the reasons we decided to switch meds.

Meanwhile, have you tried juice? 1 oz apple juice in 1 oz water can help.

The other thing is that if it's getting really painful for her, ask the pedi about Miralax. Our pedi said she's used it in babies as young a 1 month, and it's perfectly safe. We haven't had to use it, we usually just wave the bottle threateningly, and they go! But at least having it means we know if things are getting really bad, we have that option.

Good luck! It's so hard when they're not feeling well and there's not terribly much we can do to fix it for them.

 

My babies have had issues with constipation in the past. We would put 2 ounces of pear juice in their bottles and that helped tremendously. Our pedi had said to give them undiluted pear juice but my babies just wouldn't take it, and didn't realize it was in their bottles.

I would call your pedi and ask about sneaking some juice in their bottles with the EBM.

 

Poor baby :hug99: . Definitely call the dr. and ask if the medicine is causing this and talk about how to relieve constipation.

 

It's actually common for EBF babies to not poop very often. Will was one of these babies - he wouldn't poop for days and days and days, and then it would all come at once...fun. He was on Zantac, but I don't think he was constipated. I just think maybe it made him not poop as often. If your LO was constipated, then she most likely wouldn't have the pudding-like poop you described. Just my opinion, FWIW.

On a side note, we've switched to Prevacid, and I actually like it better. And, come to think of it, Will is pooping much more often (though that could also be due to starting rice cereal).

 

When M and O were in the NICU.... we had a poop problem. The nurse gave Molly some prune juice and told us to do the same. If M or O ever get backed up - we give about an ounce of prune juice and it works within a few hours.

Good luck! Poor baby!

 

QUOTE(aimeethomp @ Jul 20 2008, 04:42 PM) [snapback]886053[/snapback]
My babies have had issues with constipation in the past. We would put 2 ounces of pear juice in their bottles and that helped tremendously. Our pedi had said to give them undiluted pear juice but my babies just wouldn't take it, and didn't realize it was in their bottles.

I would call your pedi and ask about sneaking some juice in their bottles with the EBM.



Pear juice was the answer for us too. You really should try this. (this was our last resort before seeing a specialist - had tried apple juice, prune juice, milk of mag, etc.)

 

If you are taking any kind of supplement with iron, the iron can also be causing it. Also, if you drink/eat a lot of dairy, that could be causing it too. You could try to lay off the iron and dairy for about a week and see if she gets any better. Just a thought. Good luck.

 

I'm off to buy pear juice! I quit dairy a couple days ago. How long til I'd see an effect? Last night was a BAD colic night. My MIL was here and she thought we should go to the ER but we assured her this was normal. She's still amazed this morning that all that screaming just stopped.

 

Breastmilk is awesome!!! It is VERY normal for a breastfed (EBM TOO) baby not to go for 2 weeks!! With the twins I had both cases. DD would go every 5-7 days and DS would go 3-4 times a day! :shok: Evan has been skipping some days and when it comes, it's COMES! But, it is very normal for babies who drink breastmilk to skip days.
Does she seem uncomfortable? Unusually fussy? Seriously, I would not worry too much.. it is totally normal! Just be ready for an 'explosion' when it does happen.

 

Have you tried Karo Syrup? It works wonders. Just a little in their bottle and poop is on the way. Just try one bottle then wait for a couple of feedings. If no poop, try a second bottle.

 

QUOTE(horsesavvy @ Jul 21 2008, 12:56 PM) [snapback]887705[/snapback]
Have you tried Karo Syrup? It works wonders. Just a little in their bottle and poop is on the way. Just try one bottle then wait for a couple of feedings. If no poop, try a second bottle.


This is what our doc recommended and it worked like a charm for us (1 teaspoon in 4 oz. EBM)

 

Yes our pedi said either dark karo syrup or pear juice. It usually works a couple of hours later, both worked for us, I'd totally forgotten about the karo.

 

QUOTE(aimeethomp @ Jul 21 2008, 01:19 PM) [snapback]887739[/snapback]
Yes our pedi said either dark karo syrup or pear juice. It usually works a couple of hours later, both worked for us, I'd totally forgotten about the karo.



Ours was pretty adamant about it being light not dark. You may want to clarify with your ped since it seems there are differing opinions on the matter.

 

My Pedi said going 2 weeks for BREASTFED babies is perfectly normal because they use everything from the breast milk and there is just little waste in order to form any stool. Other easy options for everyday is to move their legs around like on a bike -- when we walk it gets things "moving" same for them. Other option is when you put lotion on their tummy do it in a "clock wise direction ONLY" this helps to keep things moving.

Don't be using the pear/prune etc. until after 2 weeks it just isnt' needed. Just mark on the calender the last poop and try not to worry. Call up a breastfeeding support 1800 - number if you have a question.

Heather