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Hi Leanne
Just wondering if you can help my daughter and myself with a problem we have. She is almost 10 weeks old and since birth has had issues with her tummy and passing wind and pooing. We have stretched our feeds out to 3 hours in the past 3 weeks and if my breast feels really, really full I will express about 50 mls off so that I am sure she is getting enough of the hindmilk to help her break down the lactose. She feeds well and will most times empty one side and then still drink more from the other. The problem is when she needs to pass wind or poo. She will spend most of the day and night pulling up her legs and trying to push something out. Lately her pattern is doing 4 poos in a day and then maybe missing a day or two but the whole time still trying to get something out. Some nights she really misses out on a whole lot of sleep because of the pain she is feeling. She does go to sleep but it`s not long before her tummy wakes her up. Her poo is very yellow and runny with bits in it. Midwives and the doctors tell me that she is just getting used to using her bowels and that it will pass. They say that she has an immature bowel. How long do you think this might go on for? What can you recommend I do for those days she does not pass anything and is in real pain?
Deanne and Baby Amelia
Its so upsetting when your bub is distressed, you can feel very vulnerable to life. As you are probably aware it is unusual for breast feed babies to have problems with passing stools. You could try taking something yourself so it may pass to baby via your milk, for example some chamomile, fennel or peppermint tea, even some homoeopathics could be helpful (some health shops have health professionals on hand to offer advice). Homoeopathics can be fantastic for nursing mums, bubs and children!
While the issue of the effect of maternal diet on breastmilk is still unclear it may also be worth reviewing your diet and seeing if there is something that corresponds with the days where baby has had problems. A nutritionist, dietitian or naturopath may be a good port of call if you want help with this.
The colour and consistency of your bubs poos sound very normal, breastfed babies poo tends to be very runny, often with stringy bits (lovely picture I’m painting, sorry) and a mustardy-yellow colour. So it doesn’t sound like her colon is having trouble. Lastly, you may find that at this early age there is a reluctance to investigate further, but in the case where there has been chronic (long-term) issues it is worth pursuing this at some point, so keep your doctor updated.
Hope some of this helps you both out.
All the best and have a great festive season
Leanne