2 Month 3 Week Old Only Pooping Once Every Other Day

It's normal to have a bm every other day - both of my twins (now 5 months old) are on that "schedule". As long as he isn't straining or seems in pain, he should be ok. If you're concerned, though, ask the pediatrician!

Here's my biggest reason for responding though. PLEASE, PLEASE PLEASE do NOT dilute the bottles - that adjusts the formula and is very dangerous for the baby. There was a Tribune newspaper article recently published about a baby that died because the mom diluted the formula to save money.

What does the pediatrician say? This is a puzzleing situation. Does baby fuss like he's in pain from not pooping?

Hi J.,
I agree with K. when she recommends probiotics. My son has been on Udo's Choice Infant Probiotics since he was 6 weeks old. He has NEVER been constipated or missed a day to have a bowel movement. Just as K. said in the previous post, probiotics are great for the immune system and have a lot of nutrients. I spoke to my pedi and he told me that probiotics are completely safe.
Let me tell you that I am not a health food nut, nor am I into wholelistic medicine, but when my MIL introduced me to probiotics, I was hooked! Please try the probiotics. You will be happy you did.

P.S. My son just turned 2 on April 21st and he still gets 1/2 teaspoon of probiotics every other day and he still poops 1-2 times EVERYDAY!!!!

Is is painful? Does he have lots of wet diapers? Formulas fed babies are a bit different than breast fed, but I know that it is a bit more difficult to digest so that may be the reason for the time between BMs. Also every body is different and I know my cousins babies didn't have a BM every day.

Hi J.!
Sounds like you've got a real growing boy. He should be pooping every day. What are his stools like? Formed or mushy? If they are somewhat formed then he is getting constipated. You should consult your pediatrician but I would also recommend probiotics. They are safe and help with digestion. I use a powdered form that can be put into the formula. It helps with nutrients, the immune system (very important) and digestion - keeps him regular. Probiotics are made from whole super foods and all of us should be taking them as we do not get barely enough from our diets.

If you would like more information, please provide your email address to me and I will give you more information. Keep him healthy and you too!

K.
Wellness Consultant

Yes, he should be going at least once a day but formula-fed babies often times go every other or every three days and this is considered "normal."

there is nothing to worry about if he is only pooping every other day my son was only pooping every 2 days or so and a breastfeed baby your lucky too see poop once a week so there is nothing to do or worry about

COMPLETELY normal. My son will soon be four months old and has only pooped a couple of times a weeks since he was just over two months old.

I had a similar issue when my son was about that age, except in my case it was 4 days, and I was actually nursing him at the time. According to his doctor, it's a normal thing, and some babies can go as long as 2 weeks between movements. There isn't really a pooping guideline to follow, so as long as he's not having a hard time going or he doesn't look uncomfortable, he should be fine. I hope this helps.

My daughter is the same age, and has the same problem. It's true that you shouldn't worry as long as the lil' guy isn't unhappy, but my daughter was squirmy and very fussy when she couldn't go. DON'T ADD ANY EXTRA WATER TO HIS BOTTLE! Believe it or not, they can get very sick from xtra water. My doctor said that I can give her 1 tsp of prune juice in her bottle 2-3 times a day. It worked really well. It just has to do with all of the iron he is getting from the formula. Now she is much more regular, and I just do the prune juice once a day. If the juice makes him a little gassy, give him some simethecone gas drops (totally gentle and safe.) Hope this helps! I have 2 little ones, and have faced sooo many poop issues...frustrating! Don't be afraid to call your doc with ANY questions you have. When it's your first, you have so many questions, and rightfully so!

One of our twins did that when she was very young. My son is 3 and he still doesn't necessarily go every single day. I think it's normal and I wouldn't worry about it if baby doesn't seem uncomfortable.

It's okay if he's going only once every other day. As long as the stool is not coming out in hard balls, he is not constipated. Please do not "thin out" the bottles anymore. That can be very dangerous.

Do not worry! This is normal. As long as the bowel movements are still soft and not like rabbit pellets, you're fine! Do not dilute the formula or add anything to it. You risk under nourishing your baby. Once he gets older, if he has constipation issues, you can use Miralax in his drinks. I use of with my daughter (she's 3 now). Beneful in cereal also helps but only once he's a toddler. I have 2 daughters, one poops every day and the other every 3rd day. Both are very healthy!

Hello, I agree that it happens to most babies but it is not normal. Your baby should be pooping at the minimum of once a day. It might take you trying different formulas and if the formula is powder or liquid ready. Sometimes you have to watch for the iron fortified formulas also. Your babys system may also have to adjust to the formula that your giving him so if your switching formulas to see do it at a biweekly timing so that you can observe how he reacts to the formula such as: is he full after feeding, is he gassy, does he burp, does he seem irritated after feeding, does he seem happy or relaxed after feeding, is his stomach hard? Always consult your pediatrician! Give him all of the facts so that he will be able to assess your concern as close to acurate as possible. Every child is different but there are so many like symptoms...I work at La Rabidas Childrens Hospital and i never assume anything about a child its safer to ask and find out! So Great Job 1st time Mom for asking everyone and seeking help!

Some children only poop once up to every 3 days. He is just on the less poop side. Some do the opposite ie poop all the time. You don't need to change his bottle. You can mention it to the pediatrician but it is likely just the way he is.

My daughter only pooped once every 7 or 8 days!!!!! And she was breastfed!! And she was fine!! Again, so long as he seems happy, don't worry about it and don't thin bottles or give unnecessary meds. Good luck!

When my daughter was that age, she wasn't pooping often either. Our pediatrician had us administer baby lax suppositories whenever she became uncomfortable. The suppositories were filled with liquid glycerin and they did the trick (usually a little too well!).

My son was the same way from maybe about 2 months - 4 or 5 months. After that he became more regular and now goes at least twice a day. Like others said, monitor your baby to see if he looks like he's in pain and if so, call the doctor - but my son always seemed happy as a clam.

My daughter was the same way and I was told its perfectly normal. If you think he is any pain, I would go to the doctor otherwise I wouldn't worry.

Pooping every other day is TOTALLY normal unless you feel like he is in real pain...then I would call your doctor and ask what he/she thinks. Some babies just don't poop as much as others :) I would not dilute his bottles, he need all of those good vitamins he is getting from formula! I am thinking your best bet, if you are worried, is to call a doctor and ask what he thinks.
Good Luck.

Well first of all I would like to congratulate you on the birth of your Toddler. And I thought mine at 9 lbs were big. I'm glad you survived. (just kidding)

It isn't uncommon for little ones to go a day or two between bowel movements. Mine never has gone everyday. As long as your little....errr....big guy isn't constipated (hard stools) I wouldn't fret about it.

Next appointment talk to your pediatrician and see if he/she is concerned. You could also see if they have a brand in the formula that you buy that isn't fortified with iron...that sometimes constipates a little one.

If the poop is mushy, pasty, and similar to what you've experienced all along, then there is no problem and your son is fine.

If the poop is dry or like hard pellets, then he might be constipated. Consult his pediatrician to learn more about what you should do to help.

Stop 'thinning out' the bottles. Your son needs the nutrition from a properly prepared bottle. Also, stop switching formulas unless directed by the pediatrician. Your poor son's tummy might become upset due to all the changes.

If the poop is normal like it has been don't worry about him not creating a present for you every day. Some kids just aren't 'full of it'!