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Subject:
From:
"Pat Lindsey, IBCLC" <[log in to unmask]>
Reply To:
Lactation Information and Discussion <[log in to unmask]>
Date:
Tue, 10 Sep 2002 08:11:23 EDT
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When talking with mothers about their concern about their infant not stooling
and being "consptipated".  I clarify that consptipation is a dry hard formed
stool, not the regularity of stooling.  Some infants make lots of noise and
seem to work on having a stool for hours before the stool is passed, yet the
stool is soft and runny (a normal bfed stool).  My first thoughts with a
mother whose concerned with no stooling is to question about weight gain
especially in baby under 4-5 weeks of age.  Is the baby's lack of stooling
due to lack of enough calories to stool? This is also my first thoughts when
I hear a mother saying her baby is crying from gas or she thinks the baby has
colic and the infant is under 3 weeks.  I think lack of calories and hunger.
I want the baby weighted to check for appropriate weight gain.

If weight gain is adequate (1 oz per day), then I teach the mother how to do
infant massage of the baby's stomach and leg exercises that help the infant
to stool easier.  After 5-6 weeks of age, it's can fall in the range of
normal for an infant to stool every few days or sometimes many days and still
be gaining well.  Only with a hard, dry formed stool would I consider the
mother's diet as a first concern.

In our office, the longest a completely bfed infant has gone without stooling
was 23 days.  Happy baby, weekly weight checks showed adequate weight gain,
ped's exam showed no illness or concerns. When this baby finally stooled, it
was soft and normal bfed stool, just lots of it.

Warm regards,
Pat Lindsey, IBCLC - Lactation Services  www.PatLC.com
Pediatrics Plus' Lactation Consultant   www.pedsplus.com

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