Is it normal for my baby to have infrequent bowel movements?.
I have a 4.5 month old, who sometimes goes 16+ days without a bowel
movement. He seems fine otherwise, and the pediatricians say this is "normal".
Is it metabolism, etc.? Or an indication of anything else?
Yes, it can be "normal" for a breastfed baby to go as
long as you are saying between bowel movements--as long as the baby is over 6 weeks old.
If he is continuing to have plenty of wet diapers, and is gaining weight, growing in
length and head circumference, and is not showing any signs of illness, there should be no
reason for concern.
The important thing to realize is that it is a change in bowel patterns that is a
cause for concern. As long as this is a normal pattern for your baby, then you do not need
to worry.
Yes, this does have to do with metabolism (all of us are different.) I imagine his stools
are very large! His body is just able to hold the stool longer than other babies.
When you introduce solids in the next couple of months or so, his bowel movements will
most likely become more frequent.
Cher Sealy, RN, BSN, IBCLC, LLLL
What is a growth spurt?.
Most babies go through periods of sudden growth during the early months, and they
will want to nurse more often during these times. Growth spurts only last a day or
two, just long enough for the baby to build up your milk supply to meet his growing needs.
Knowing about growth spurts will help you when the time comes.
The first growth spurt will come around the 10th to 14th day. This is also about the
time you notice that your breasts don't seem as full as they did at first. This is
normal, so don't think you have lost your milk. The baby is just making sure you
make even more.
The second growth spurt comes around 4 to 6 weeks. The baby is now growing at a fast
rate. Just nurse often for a day or two, and soon the baby will return to his normal
feeding pattern. (1)
What is a nursing strike?.
Between the age of 4 and 8 months, a baby may suddenly lose interest in the
breast and refuse to nurse. It could be that he is teething and it hurts his gums to
nurse, or he could have an ear infection, sore throat, or cold. Sometimes there is
no apparent reason. Whatever the reason, you must try to keep up your milk supply by
regular pumping. And you must continue to gently offer the breast to him.
Meanwhile you have to find some other way of feeding the baby.
You can try feeding him your expressed (pumped) milk from a cup or spoon or medicine
dropper. Using a bottle will make it even harder to get him back on the breast.
He might quickly find that it is easier to drink from a bottle. In fact,
using a bottle could have caused the nursing strike in the first place. It may take
several days for the baby to start back nursing, and during this time you will need to
give him lots of skin contact and cuddling. You can even try nursing him while he is
asleep. Some babies will nurse while asleep even while "on strike."
Don't confuse a nursing strike with weaning. Weaning occurs gradually, and the
strikes happen suddenly. Although this will be a very trying time, hang in there.
Keep offering the breast but don't try to force him. Soon he should be back
to normal. (1)
Will my baby bite?.
Sometimes a baby will bite when he is teething. His gums are sore and when
he nurses, they hurt more. A baby might also bite if you try to nurse him when he
isn't hungry or at the end of a feeding when he has had enough. It is impossible for
a baby to bite and nurse at the same time because the baby's tongue is between the bottom
teeth and your nipple. Only when he has stopped nursing will he be able to clamp
down.
Watch your baby. When he stops sucking or swallowing, break the suction and take him
off the breast before he starts to bite.
If he does bite, gently take him off the breast and firmly say "no". After
two or three times, most babies will get the message that they must not bite. You DO
NOT have to wean when he gets teeth. (1)
What is a Supplemental Nursing System (SNS)?.
This breastfeeding aid consists of a small bottle (worn around the neck) and a
length of very small tubing which carries breast milk or formula to the mother's nipple.
The baby suckles the end of the tube and the mother's nipple at the same time.
It helps to train the baby with latch-on problems to nurse, and stimulates the
breasts to produce milk also.
It is useful when a mother wants to get her milk supply back, when the baby has latch-on
problems, has become nipple confused, or when an adoptive mother wants to feed at the
breast. Lactation consultants and most La Leche League leaders have them for
purchase. (1)
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