What is "normal" for bowel movements?

[Amanda_Jane78]

I'm having some trouble with my 12 week old.

She is wholly breast fed and is normally very good with her bowel movements, but she has not passed anything since around 9am on Sunday.

When I was in the hospital they said "normal" can be 1 poo in ten days or 10 poos in one day. But is that right and at what age does that not apply anymore?

She has not been herself lately and is very unsettled, screams and arches her back. She doesn't appear to be straining or trying to poo. She is still passing wind though, wouldn't that mean her bowels are working???

ARGH! Can someone please tell me where I find the instruction manual?????

[mickyndan]

Hi,
It is my understanding that fully breastfed babies don't get constipated and sometimes they could go up to 2 weeks without doing a poo. I have never experienced this as my DS's have always done several poos a day. I have a friend who's DD goes a good 2 weeks without doing a poo but when she does it there is a massive explosion. I wouldn't be too concerned but if you are I would go and see you GP or MCHN. Good Luck... and have those nappies ready because when she does I am sure you will know about... LOL

[Hoody]

My 13 weeks old is lucky to go once a week! It is very normal. She does get a little cranky on the day that does have a bowel movement and its normally explosive involving a bath afterward. My Dd always seems to do it when i'm feeding her- must be as she is relaxed so i end up wearing it too.

[Sammiejane]

That rule of 1 in 10 or 10 in 1 slows down a bit and by the time you are an adult it is more like 1 poo in 3 or 3 in 1 day... but everyone is different and bowels work in different ways...
Having bowel sounds or passing wind is an indiation that all is ok - if there is no wind, or tummy gurgling and the abdo becomes hard and distended and Abbey is obviously distressed go and get her checked...

HTH

[aussienic]

hi, My DD goes up to 5 days without pooping. she does get quite unsettled the day before she finally goes. I have been told they can't get constipated but they do get a little backed up kwim?

also just sharing this as I never knew it till last week either..

Olivia has smelly farts and poos and I was under the impression she shouldn't.. anyeways it is because she goes so long between poos.. So to all those who say.. whats mummy been eating.. throw that little fact thier way

[kitten2b]

my little one goes every 3 or 4 days as well and like Nic's DD gets unsettled the day before.

[Spring Angel]

Our record here is 11 days so I think what is 'normal' really depends on the bub.

Spring

[MamaK]

Hi All,

Sorry to Hijack this thread after so long!

My DD Seven, who is 6 weeks old, struggles a lot with pain and strains and grunts and groans and is in obvious pain when she doesn't use her bowels regularly. She used to go a lot during the day but as she has gotten older she has changed, as is normal, but last night, she hadn't gone but it had only been 24hrs but she screamed and screamed until she finally wored herself out. She pooped this morning and is now back to my normal happy baby girl, but when she does try to go she strains so hard and if it doesn't happen she gets so upset and stressed.
Is there anything Ican do to help her go when she needs to? Its quite distressing to watch and there is nothing I can do!!!

[MantaRay]

Hun, 12 weeks is about the time that DS1 started pooing only every 10 days or so. DS2 started a bit later, but he also went about once every 10 days or so when he was a few months old. It is very normal, and as has been mentioned, bf babies really don't get constipated. Sometimes they do get grunty and seem to have constipation pain. I don't really know why, but it's not actually constipation, and it is normal. So you don't need to worry. The only time to worry is if a newborn doesn't poo regularly (as in for the first few weeks).