constipation in breastfed babies

If your baby is only being breastfed and not getting supplemental bottles of formula or solid foods, she won't get constipated. Exclusively breastfed babies don't get constipated because breastmilk is so easily digested. If your newborn is not stooling every day, make sure she is nursing actively enough times per day and that your milk supply is adequate for her needs. Sometimes making small changes in your breastfeeding technique can produce more poopy diapers.

After the first several weeks, some babies to go a few days in between bowel movements. Since breastmilk is so completely digested, there is little waste, and in some young babies who aren't moving around much, it takes awhile for her to work up a bowel movement. Keep in mind your babies schedule and figure what is normal for her. Rarely, a baby will not produce enough poopy diapers because she isn't getting enough of the higher fat, higher calorie "hindmilk:. Be sure you let her finish the first breast first before offering the other. Don't schedule feeds and let her nurse as often as she needs to.

In addition, constipation doesn't have as much to do with how often a baby poops as it does how she poops. If her movements are hard and it's painful and difficult to pass, she's constipated. If your baby goes several days without a poop she will probably make up in quantity what she lacked in frequency. :)

If your baby gets supplemental bottles or vitamins with iron, suspect this as the cause of constipation. Also, once your baby starts eating food remember that some are naturally constipating, such as bananas and rice cereal, especially if these two are offered on the same day. The bowel movements will change once you have introduced food to her so you will need to learn what is normal for her at this stage.

If your older baby does get constipated it may be because of the new food (or juice) that she is getting. Watch what she is eating and talk to your Doctor about an elimination diet to try to find the culprit. She may have a food allergy. Also, if your baby seems to have a lot of gas or struggle to poop, it doesn't always mean she's uncomfortable. Here is more info: breastfed babies with excess gas