Expert: ruth kraft - 11/25/2008

Question
My baby is 4 months old today. He is exclusively breastfeeding. He has not had a bowel movement in 13 days. He is not fussing, he does not have a fever, he is very alert and active. He eats every 2-3 hours for 7-16 minutes, his latch is fantastic!!! I change him before every feed and his diaper is always wet. This is the longest he has ever gone with out a bowel movement normally he has a bowel movement every 7 - 12 days. I am starting to really worry. Should I give him a laxative? His belly is not hard and he does not seem uncomfortable. I've given him prune juice and have massaged his belly, I've even tried a pro-biotic. He has never spit up but he does pass a lot of gas stinky gas very stinky. Should I continue to wait?

Answer
From everything you have said to me you are checking all the right things. Breastmilk is so digestible that often there just isnt that much waste to get rid of ;) So yes, as long as he shows no sign of discomfort , then all is well with him. He will let you know if something is up. If there was a bowel obstruction you would know it by now :)  you are doing all the right things and checking  for all the right things! pat yourself on the back for doing fabulously!