Baby Constipation: Causes, Relief & When to See a Doctor

Question
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Followup To
Question -
I have a 5 month old baby girl and she has not had a bowl movement in 4 days.  I asked a nurse and she said to try to give her prune juice ( which she wont drink) and to try Caro suryup and neither one has worked.  I was going to try a supository but it was too big and it didn't want to force it.  Do you have any suggestions?  
Answer -
Hello Holly- I need to know if your baby is breastfed and if she is eating solid foods- get back to me- Cheri.

She is breastfed and we have started to give her solid foods at dinnertime.

Answer
Hello again Holly- okay- storing stools is very common in breastfed infants- they seem to do such a great job of absorbing the vital nutrients from the milk, that it sometimes takes a few days to build up enough waste to stimulate the rectum. Do try a glycerin supp. but break it in half lengthwise- they are too long. As far as solids goes, be sure she is really ready- there are three key signs that a baby is ready for solids- they are- able to pick up tiny things, like lint from the floor; able to sit upright without falling over and lastly, food placed in the mouth is moved to the back, not spit forward with the tongue. If your baby cannot do all three of these things, wait. Contact your local La Leche League group- they have GREAT info about the when, why and what of starting solid food. You want to avoid ALL baby food- she does NOT need that overprocessed expensive stuff. Hope that helps- by the way- I have known breastfed infants to go 11 days between BMs- so don't worry. All the best- Cheri.