My 1 moth old ds has decided not to have a stool for the last 2 days, is this normal, is he constipated, do I need to take him to the ER or is there something I can try at home so I dont have to expose him to anything that may be floating in the air before he gets his shots?He isnt fussy or crying like he is in pain in fact its quite the opposite he is smiling and cooing, the works.
HELP, what do I do?

By Kate on Saturday, January 10, 2004 - 04:46 pm:

I wouldn't worry about it since he's happy. Maybe his digestive system is just maturing and getting to where it will be for awhile. It may be a new pattern for him. I don't think there's any reason for a visit to the ER. If he's still not gone by Monday morning you can run your concern by your pediatrician.

By Bychak79 on Saturday, January 10, 2004 - 04:49 pm:

Thank you I thought to since he was happy there was not to much reason for concern but wanted to run it by people with more experience in child rearing then me ;-) I tend to be a worry wart.

By Pamt on Saturday, January 10, 2004 - 04:53 pm:

First of all, is your baby breastfed or formula-fed? It is virtually impossible for a breastfed-only baby to become constipated. Secondly, you need to keep in mind that constipation doesn't necessarily refer to frequency of a BM. If your baby is happy, then I wouldn' worry at all. However, I agree with Kate that if your baby hasn't gone by Monday to call your ped. If your baby does have a BM you will know that he is constipated if the stool is hard and pellet-like. It will resemble rabbit pellets. If this is the case, I would also put in a call to the ped. However, if it is pretty normal looking when he goes, then he just may be changing his digestive patterns a little and it is no cause for worry.

By Fraggle on Saturday, January 10, 2004 - 05:06 pm:

Both of my girls were breastfed and I can remember this happening every once in a while when they were very little. They would have a couple of days when they would not poop and then they would have a major "blow-out" They ruined quite a few outfits that way. I remember calling the pediatrician one time and they were not too concerned as long as the diaper was still wet.

I definitely would stay away from the E.R.-you don't want to pick up something.

Oh and if you are still worried-does your Pediatrician's office have a doctor on call on the weekends/evenings? We just call the office and the answering service pages the on call doctor. I have had to call a couple of times and the doctor always gets back to me within a half hour.

By Bychak79 on Saturday, January 10, 2004 - 05:25 pm:

Yes he is VERY breastfed lol, on the breast all the time, and he does not have a problem with wet diapers thats working like a charm in that area he is running like a faucet.

By Newbabysarah on Saturday, January 10, 2004 - 05:31 pm:

Just wanted to say too that my dd is 7 months so this issue is fresh on my mind. Whenever my dd would not have a bm, I would always give it my "3 day rule." If after 3 days from the last bm you still don't see anything, then call the pediatrician. I can tell you that you can try a LITTLE bit of karo syrup or try giving him 2 ounces of water to soften his stool. Ever since I have been giving my dd fluids, she has NEVER been constipated again (knock on wood).

By Newbabysarah on Saturday, January 10, 2004 - 05:33 pm:

I just re-read your post and I wanted to add one more thing, if he is happy then he is most likely NOT constipated. My dd had a serious bout of constipation when she was 4 months old and she was not a happy camper, it hurt!