Ugh...... Poop!

Donna · 10-08-2007, 02:33 PM

I just don't know what it is with my kids and poop issues!

We had to take Jayden in to the pedi last Friday...

For the whole week prior he had only poop'd twice. The first one was after 4 days and the second was after 3, both times the only way I got him to even poop at all was by giving him colostrum. He was miserable and had turned from my sweet little angel into ...... well..... Peyton (I had the FedEx labels filled out and ready to go Belinda

). Seriously though it was a nightmare - constant screaming, squirming in pain, nursing 24/7 and so on. Both times he went it was the foulest most retched stank I have ever witnessed! So we got him in on Friday afternoon. He had good bowel sounds and it wasn't hard, etc. so they did a rectal exam to check for an obstruction and that was okay for as far as he could go (ugh.. that was awful!). He's having plenty of wet diapers and he packed on 6oz in the 3 days since his well baby (wow, I can definitely say the constant nursing paid off!) so no concerns with being dehydrated. The pedi summed it up to a case of constipation (I forgot what he called it). He wanted us to start giving him additional fluids for a few days, pedialyte and juice on top of his normal nursing and see if we can get him "going" again. He got a little pedialyte in the am and a little juice in the afternoon on Saturday. He did have a tiny poop Saturday around dinner time, but he hasn't gone again since then (still getting pedialyte and juice). I have enough colostrum left to give him one more feeding, which I'm gonna try this afternoon. He is starting to get really fussy and uncomfortable again. The pedi wanted us to call back Monday or Tuesday if he had not poop'd again to get some x-rays done. We'll see what happens after the colostrum but either way I think I'm gonna have to call them back in the morning

Callie · 10-08-2007, 02:55 PM

Try Prune juice mixed with water if he can. I have never had this problem, ds still has 4-5 dirty diapers a day, but my neighbors girls all had this problem and the ONLY way she could get them to be regular was Prune juice. Any meds and other things did not work.

Koloe · 10-08-2007, 02:59 PM

Sorry your having these problems.

Could it be related to some thing your eating?

Apple juice does wonder for Liriel when she's getting backed up. Doesn't really take that much either. But if he's putting out plenty of wet diapers, I doubt he needs many other liquids, and other liquids might actually interfer with his nursing. Breastmilk has a very strong laxative quality. Which is why I find the whole thing a bit strange.

Koloe · 10-08-2007, 03:17 PM

Here is a link for La Leach League's take on it.

http://www.llli.org/FAQ/bm.html

http://www.llli.org/llleaderweb/LV/L...Jan98p123.html

Still seems like some thing is amiss to me.

From what I've read thus far, the only thing I can suggest is try nursing him more on one side so he get's more of the hind milk - fattier and higher fat & calorie content. Maybe he's not getting enough hind milk. But he's gained weight, so I'm not real confident about that being the problem.

jillian1527 · 10-08-2007, 04:52 PM

I had problem with Chloe. we used suppositories. I hope you can find something that works for him soon

gooberette · 10-08-2007, 05:23 PM

Oh poor Jayden and poor you!!

I hope the poor guy can get going again!

tinamariebb · 10-08-2007, 05:31 PM

You may need to do some block feeding. For a 3 hour block only give him the one breast. He will get more of the fatty hindmilk and his fussiness may resolve. Part of the fussing may not be constipation, it may be because he is not getting enough hindmilk.

Constipation info-
http://www.medela.com/NewFiles/constipation_bfdg.html

Quote:

Constipation in the breastfed baby By Catherine Watson Genna, BS, IBCLC

Breastfed babies younger than 6 weeks old should have at least 3-5 stools a day. A young baby who is not stooling often probably needs more milk. An IBCLC can help with concerns about milk supply and baby’s milk intake.

After 6 weeks of age, some healthy breastfed babies have dirty diapers far less often. If the baby seems happy and is acting normally energetic, is gaining weight well, and the stools are soft when they are passed, then it is not a problem. Usually the stool will be very large if it has been a few days (or even more) since baby last made a dirty diaper.

A constipated baby might be ill, especially if he is also vomiting frequently, does not want to breastfeed, seems weak or has dry mucous membranes. If your baby has these symptoms, get immediate medical care.Constipation occurs when the stool is hard and dry when it is passed, not when baby has infrequent stools.

Cow milk allergy is another common cause of constipation in babies and children. Exclusively breastfed babies are rarely constipated, but once other foods are added stools get firmer. Baby’s doctor, a registered dietician, or an IBCLC can help you figure out which foods might be causing a problem. If you are concerned about your baby’s pattern of bowel movements, see your doctor.

Block feeding may be able to help him get more milk to clear it up. My ped doesn't recommend Pedilite to breastfed babies, she said BM is better than that stuff, I would check with a LLL leader or LC for help.

Sorry he's having problems Donna.