Infant Constipation

When my two week old baby didn't have a bowel movement for a couple of days, I became concerned that she was constipated, especially since I was breastfeeding and had heard that several bowel movements a day was the norm.

I called the pediatrician, who told me it could be normal for her not to have a bowel movement every day and he shared some recommendations to try since it may be caused by her not getting enough milk. He also told me that infant constipation is not necessarily the absence of daily bowel movements, but the passage of hard, dry bowel movements. He also told me to call him immediately if she seemed in pain, had a fever, vomited, or still hadn't passed a bowel movement after 5 days.

 

For two days I set the timer to make sure our breastfeeding sessions were long enough. I drank more water to hydrate myself, turned on relaxing music while nursing her, and made sure she was alert during feedings. Sure enough, after four days, my baby had a bowel movement. I was so relieved!

 

In the articles below, helpful information is provided on the topic of infant constipation, infant feeding, and infant bowel movement health: 

http://www.webmd.com/parenting/baby/diapering-a-baby-9/baby-constipation

http://www.babycenter.com/0_constipation_79.bc

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/infant-constipation/AN01089http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/infant-constipation/AN01089

http://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/baby/diapers-clothing/pages/Infant-Constipation.aspx