Constipation in 3 Week Olds

First, congratulations to her for breastfeeding! :-)

Breastmilk is naturally laxative, so I doubt that there's much she can do as regards her diet to help, although possibly something like drinking plenty of water and making sure that she herself is eating enough fiber and other things that contribute to loose stools. It's probably the formula that's doing it, although it's possible the babies aren't actually constipated at all. It's not uncommon for babies to go even several days without pooping and without being "constipated." Although both of my (single) babies were completely breastfed, they had very different baby poop stages -- my older son went several times a day, while my younger son usually went several days between poops. It's only considered constipation if the stool is hard and/or the baby has to strain to poop, or seems uncomfortable and/or unable to poop.

If the formula is the problem, she may be able to switch brands, but hopefully some other mommies will be able to chime in, because I never needed formula. I don't know if she will physically have the time or energy to do this, but it's possible that she will be able to build up her milk supply so that she can exclusively breastfeed all the babies, by pumping her breasts (even if they're "empty") for several minutes after each feed. When my younger son was a newborn, I started pumping for a friend's adopted baby, and by doing pumping while nursing him in the morning and afterwards, gradually built up to pumping 25 oz per day (and could have done more, but my friend chose to go to strictly formula after the first 6 weeks). I'm telling you this to say that it takes time to build up extra supply -- at first, I could only pump maybe an additional 1-4 oz., then 4-8 oz., and so forth and so on. For those weeks while I was trying to build up my extra supply, I would sit and watch TV and pump for maybe 15 minutes while I was getting one little drop after another. Breastfeeding quantity really is about supply and demand, and by the breast pump "demanding" more milk, I was able to build up my supply. At first, I was sitting there for 15 minutes getting almost nothing, and then I started getting many respectable ounces during those 15 minutes, and continued my "dry pumping" time for several minutes after I stopped producing, so my pumping sessions would be 20, 25, 30 minutes long, and perhaps more [I usually didn't time them, but just watched TV while my baby was happy or asleep and my older son played or watched TV with me].

She may not be able to do this -- I've never had triplets or even twins, so I do not even pretend to know what it is like. However, if she has help with the babies, she may be able to build up her supply like this.

She needs more fiber in her diet. Everything she eats crosses the breast milk so if she isn't getting enough fiber, neither will the babies. A meal a day or two meals a day with vegetables only should help considerably. I breastfed too and stayed in contact with Le leche League throughout the first 3-5 months until I knew I was not going crazy and doing everything right.

It might not hurt to add a bit of natural fiber to foods when she cooks. After all, her body needs extra fiber as well but extra fiber in her diet will help the babies get what they need in their diet. Another thing is to stay away from constipating foods like milk, cheeses, etc... Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables. Add few extra snacks of fruits and vegetables in her diet each day too. An extra 3 to 4 snacks will give her energy and provide the necessary dietary needs for the babies.

I've been there only mine didn't have constipation problems until after the breastfeeding stopped but I have tried to eat at least 5 smaller meals and 2 snacks a day ever since having a battle with anorexia. I began to gain more weight than I should so I backed off by eating smaller more frequent meals with better sources of grains, fruits, and vegetables. It keeps me healthier, my weight in check, and while I was nursing, it gave my milk all it needed to keep the milk healthy. Avoid bread too, most specifically white bread or wheat/white. If your daughter must have bread, then try wheat bread or raisin wheat bagels with fruit topping. This gives all the necessary food groups with no constipation problems.

What goes in will come out through the milk. It helps to stay away from spicy foods too because that can and will give the babies gas and make them colicky.

Fiber foods in the mom is the key to correcting constipation problems in breastfed babies.

Formula IS CONSTIPATING! Leave the formula alone. Instead, she needs to pump her own milk and freeze it then thaw it out and heat it for the babies if being there to breast feed the babies is the problem. If it is a timing issue, she needs to work on switching the babies breast-feeding times so she can more easily breastfeed the babies without the need for formula. There is nothing MORE constipating that I have found than formula for babies.

My oldest stayed constipated because I couldn't breastfed her because of a problem with my milk; however, my youngest never had that problem and I breastfed her exclusively until she practically weaned herself. Of course there was a food battle that went on later causing a bit of constipation but the best thing your daughter can do is pump milk and leave formula alone. It is the worst thing ever created for a baby. It doesn't contain the antibodies baby's need and it is the most constipating of anything I've heard of in my life for an infant who cannot eat regular food yet. I pumped milk for times when I wasn't able to nurse, which was rare but it was there when she needed it. Breast milk will last up to 3 months in the freezer. It's a heck of a lot better for a baby than formula.

She doesn't want to go through the constant onslaught of Fleet baby enema gels. It's so painful for the child and there's nothing you can do for them. They cry constantly out of pain and all you can do is hold them while they cry.

Have her alternate her scheduled feedings even if it means feeding pre-pumped milk until she can get into a different nursing schedule. It will be well worth it in he end.

Just so you know, bowel obstruction can become a problem for a baby with constipation. A friend of mine didn't know this when she was formula feeding her baby until it was too late. As soon as her son was better, she worked with a lactation counselor to get her milk up to par then she nursed her baby the rest of his infancy and he never had that problem again. I know it sounds terrible to some, but I helped her with breast milk while her milk was coming in because she didn't start breast feeding until about month 2-3 after her baby was born. I was already pumping my milk so I had plenty. I could have likely nursed 3 to 4 babies with the milk I had flowing at the time and my daughter was within months of weaning herself by that time.

My pediatrician told me that it was okay for my breastfed son to go up to 7 days without a poop at that age. My son was full term so I don't know if this is different with preemies if your grandchildren are preemie. Also, don't know if the answer would be different since they are also getting formula.

If your daughter isn't getting good service from her pediatrician urge her to find another! Ours is awesome and has even opened up the office on a Saturday or Sunday to keep us from having to go to the ER.

Hi K.---Are the babies getting water as well? Be sure that they get some in addition to feeding.

The best way to find out if the mom's diet is causing any constipation is to keep a food journal and start eliminating foods to see if any are the offenders. I am not home now, so I don't have reference to my healing foods books, but you could do a google search on foods that constipate or are good to eliminate constipation. A great combo that worked for my husband after he broke his hand and collar bone and pain killers did their work, was bananas and kiwi, with a little agave nectar for sweetening. Yes, bananas help ELIMINATE constipation, not the other way around...at least according to my healing foods directory.

Formulas can be problematic as well. The best for a baby is a prescription pre-digested formula. This is much easier to digest and totally helps problems with spitting up.

Good luck and feel free to contact me with any questions. In health, D.

Breastfed babies often can go days without passing stools. I'd tend to believe it's more in line with that than being a real issue with constipation. However, I think calling the pediatrician to be certain is a good idea.

Otherwise, I'd keep an eye on it and document when it does happen. Neither of my kids had problems pooping even when breasfed, but it is very common for breastfed babies to go a few days between passing stools.

Congratulations on the 3 little blessings.

it it common for babies to go several days between bms dont do anything yet if it does past 5 days i would call the doctor otherwise its normal!

I agree, breastfed babies can go up to 10 days w/ out a BM. If they are acting different or irritable, and since there is formula in the mix, I'd error on the safe side. I'm impressed she is BF w/ 3! I don't know why but it makes us Mom's who breastfed so happy ;-) Also, to get those intestines moving, I'd do bicycle legs w/ mine...just move their legs like they are riding a bike (while lying down of course). Every baby is different w/ reactions to Mom's diet, so try to keep a plain diet and do what the rest of the Mom's said. Good luck and congrats!